The seventh and eighth grade classes of the Woodcrest School in Rifton, New York were first exposed to the concept of sustainable living through a guest speaker. The speaker was a local energy conservation expert who specialized in alternative energy sources. When the students asked why no one was doing anything about the Earth's energy crisis, he responded, "Well, what are you doing about it?"

From that point on, the students at Woodcrest did do something about it. They decided to build a straw bale house using only renewable building materials. The design would equip the house with "off the grid" sustainable energy through solar heating and hot water. The house would also be outfitted with a Russian stove backup, solar/wind powered electricity and a self-composting sewage system.

In order to raise money for the project, Woodcrest School sponsored a John "Muir-a-Thon" in which pledges were made for every hour students spent in the woods in complete solitude. The resource center will be open to kids, teachers, and anyone else who wishes to come and see a sustainable building. To quote one of the students, "We have learned to dare to dream, to attempt the 'impossible', and to find a positive way to better our world."

The Izaak Walton League had the following statement, "The Izaak Walton League of America supports the seventh and eighth grade classes of the Woodcrest School in Rifton, New York, whose hard work and commitment to conservation and outreach is making the John Muir Center for Environmental Studies a reality. As is the case with many of the league's members and staff, the students' own enjoyment and appreciation of the outdoors has inspired them to be good stewards of America's natural resources. Just as the League's members demonstrate their commitment to conserving America's outdoor future through local, on-the-ground conservation projects, the students at Woodcrest School met the challenge from a local energy conservation expert to take action against the challenges of pollution, waste, and overuse of the world's precious natural resources. In addition, the students' commitment to educating members of their community and involving them in conservation efforts is integral to the League's mission."