Deadline: June 15, 2009

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is accepting applications from organizations interested in initiating the Nature of Learning in their communities. The Nature of Learning is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System's community-based environmental education initiative that seeks to use National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues, encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning, utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues, and involve a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals, and local businesses.

Schools or nonprofit organizations, including "Friends" groups, Cooperative and Interpretive Associations, Audubon Chapters, etc., are eligible to apply for funding. Programs must involve a partnership among a local school(s), community group (e.g., Refuge Support Group), and National Wildlife Refuge. Projects must be completed within 18 months.

First year start-up grants are available for up to $10,000. Second year follow-up grants, up to $5,000, are available to support continued implementation of the Nature of Learning program. Matching contributions are not required; however, strong preference will be given to applications that leverage the grant award with contributions from project partners.

Related Resources:
Nature of Learning Grant Supports Outdoor Classrooms