The Nature of Learning Grant Program

Request for Proposal

Announcement: The Nature of Learning Grant Program

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Wildlife Refuge System and National Conservation Training Center, in partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (Foundation) and the National Wildlife Refuge Association are pleased to solicit applications from organizations interested in initiating The Nature of Learning in their communities. The Nature of Learning is the FWS 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 that seeks to enhance student academic achievement;
• 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.

The Nature of Learning framework includes:

• Partnerships: Central to each The Nature of Learning site is a partnership among learning institutions, i.e., neighborhood schools, nature clubs, youth groups, and natural resource professionals and community members. These partners use The Nature of Learning methodology to create site-specific goals and an action plan for achievement.
• Integrated Learning: The Nature of Learning outlines a process by which a community-based curriculum is developed utilizing formal and non-formal education expertise at the site.
• Standards-based: Using the standards-based curriculum from collaborating schools, teams of teachers and resource specialists blend the resources from the classroom with existing activities and programs used on public lands. The framework guides educators in a standards-based instructional process that encourages an interdisciplinary approach.
• Stewardship Projects: Community projects are planned and implemented as a culminating activity of this initiative. After building an understanding of conservation issues, students are encouraged to identify tasks that put their awareness into action and enhance their community.
• Professional Development: The Nature of Learning framework assists site teams to build local site workshops to meet professional development needs. Partnerships with local organizations that have similar missions are highly recommended.

The Nature of Learning supports one of the National Wildlife Refuge System's six priority public uses: environmental education. This program promotes awareness, appreciation and understanding of the role that the National Wildlife Refuge System plays in fish and wildlife conservation.

2010 Theme - Climate Change and Citizen Science. This year, grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to support education projects focused on the causes and effects of climate change on refuges and build citizen science partnership programs.

Who should apply for The Nature of Learning grants?

Academic institutions or non-profit organizations, including "Friends" organizations, cooperative and interpretive associations, Audubon Chapters, youth organizations, etc., are eligible to apply for funding. By becoming part of The Nature of Learning program, your partners will be eligible for financial and technical assistance to help achieve the following:

• Build programs focused on climate change education for visitors, teachers and students;
• Introduce a process to enhance critical thinking skills and better prepare students as future community leaders;
• Create long-lasting relationships among teachers, local businesses, community leaders and refuge personnel; and
• Develop and nurture a strong sense of stewardship by building community-based citizen science programs and using refuges as outdoor classrooms.

What are some examples of programs that support climate change education and citizen science efforts? While not an exhaustive list, here are some examples of programs that applicants may wish to consider that benefit the National Wildlife Refuge System.

National Phenology Network relies on the involvement of educational institutions, volunteers, and community organizations from across the United States. Partners help organize and motivate people of all ages to observe and learn about changes to ecosystems and how they affect fish and wildlife populations.

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology uses the best science and technology to solve critical problems facing birds and other wildlife. The Lab's programs are dedicated to interpreting and conserving the earth's biological diversity through research, education and citizen science focused on birds.

Project Budburst is a national field campaign for citizen scientists designed to engage the public in the collection of important climate change data based on the timing of leafing and flowering of trees and flowers.

General information about citizen science programs, ideas and resources can be found at: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/citscitoolkit

To learn more about The Nature of Learning program, please visit: www.fws.gov/refuges/education/natureoflearning/

Grant Guidelines:

Programs must involve a partnership among a local school(s), community group (e.g., a Friends Organization, nature clubs), and a national wildlife refuge. Letters of support are strongly encouraged and a letter from the refuge is required.

• Programs must be designed to meet all of the key elements of The Nature of Learning framework (i.e., partnerships, integrated learning, professional development, etc.) over time. Moreover, programs must promote an understanding of climate change and local conservation issues, improve scientific literacy, and conform to appropriate academic standards of learning.
• Projects must be completed within 18 months.
• Grant funding will be disbursed at the beginning of each phase of the project with 10% of the funds held back for dispersal upon receipt of The Nature of Learning program final accomplishment report.
• Programs are expected to include an outdoor classroom experience for students and teachers at a national wildlife refuge and must also include a community stewardship project.
• Existing conservation education programs that involve citizen science or contribute to our understanding of the causes and effects of climate change are eligible for funding and technical assistance so long as there is a commitment to meet all of the elements of The Nature of Learning framework (see website for additional information on key elements).
• Preference will be given to start-up programs that can demonstrate a commitment to sustaining the program over time.
• Matching contributions are not required; however strong preference will be given to applications that leverage the grant award with contributions of funds, goods and services from project partners (see application form for additional details).
• 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.
• To receive a follow-up The Nature of Learning program grant, you must reapply and will need to provide an accomplishment report with your application. The accomplishment report must detail the outcomes and achievements of the 1st year start-up grant.

How to apply:

Applicants must complete the on-line application form at www.nfwf.org/grantapplication. Applications must be submitted on-line and received by Monday, June 14, 2010. Projects will be evaluated to the extent by which the above guidelines are met. Applicants will be notified of their awards by Friday, October 15, 2010. Please do not contact the Foundation before this date in regards to the status of your application.

For additional information on The Nature of Learning program, please contact Deborah Moore at deborah_moore@fws.gov. For questions regarded grant applications, please contact Ellen Gabel at ellen.gabel@nfwf.org.

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