The Foundation awarded three grants this fall to groups committed to providing outdoor educational opportunities for school students in the region. In the fall, the Foundation normally awards two grants of roughly $15,000 each. But, this year, our grants committee was so touched by three groups’ applications, that they decided to award three grants of $10,000 to those groups. In fact, the grants committee felt so strongly about these three applications that they chose to divide the funds remaining in their budget from this year between the three recipients so that they each received as much money as possible. The grants were awarded to:
- Galiano Conservancy Association: The Why Wetlands program educates 15 groups of 15 students each in 3rd to 12th grades about wetland ecosystems through interactive signage and programs, focusing on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and restoration.
- Nisqually River Foundation: Eye on Nature Field Trips engages 600 students by providing 14 field trips to the Nisqually Refuge where 3rd to 8th graders learn about wildlife and native plants through nature mapping and ethnobotany walks.
- The Salish Sea School: The Toes to Tides, Island Explorers, and Jellyfish Academy programs provide outdoor education for underserved Latino and neurodivergent students in Skagit County, connecting them to the Salish Sea through marine science activities and shoreline explorations.
We are incredibly proud to support these and other programs each year with the help of donors who value our work. The work of these dedicated leaders inspires kids to explore the outdoors with curiosity, learn about the value of species preservation, and gives them a better understanding of nature.
– Mindy Roberts, Treasurer