Prairie Ecology Bus Center now Wild Compass Environmental Education

After more than 30 years of delivering environmental education across southern Minnesota, the Prairie Ecology Bus Center has announced its rebranding as Wild Compass Environmental Education.

Founded in 1994, the Prairie Ecology Bus Center (PEBC) became known for its 32-passenger Ecology Bus — the first mobile science classroom of its kind in the country. The bus brought students from rural schools to nearby parks and outdoor spaces, giving them hands-on experiences with the natural world right in their own backyards. For decades, PEBC helped break down barriers to environmental learning in a region where access to nature centers and outdoor education opportunities is limited. 

In 2024, the Ecology Bus was totaled in an accident. A press release states that while the bus itself is gone, the heart of the organization — providing hands-on, nature-based education — remains strong. The rebrand to Wild Compass Environmental Education honors that legacy while embracing the broader reach, expanded programs, and community partnerships that define the organization today.