While we invest in the “ground work” of the Preserve’s health, we have not lost focus on our work to invest in the future stewards of our lands and waters. Through our Community Grants program, we have given away over $3 million over the years, mostly in small grants of $5000 or less and most of which benefit educational programs.
So far this year we’ve supported:
- Cascades Carnivore, creating the opportunity for 50 Muckleshoot Tribal School students to learn about wolverines, Cascade red foxes, Canada lynxes and Sierra red foxes of the Cascades and work to save rare carnivores and their ecosystems from extinction;
- Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands forest education programming with Anacortes School District to provide in-school forest education and field trips to every kindergarten, 3rd grade, and 7th grade student in the district (~850 students);
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation for Salmon and Orca Data Visualization and Animated Video produce videos to highlight the unique nature and importance of wild fish, explaining the decline of salmon and the important food source they represent; and,
- RE Sources Youth for the Environment and People which will help high school students meet the climate crisis with hope and a sense of agency through learning, collaboration, problem-solving, and skill-building.
In addition to the wonderful groups, we supported the South Sound Estuary Association, doing business as Puget Sound Estuarium, which invests in several regional programs that provide field experiences reaching over 2,200 children and 500 family members.
Last, but certainly not least, our grant funded the Washington Wild Climate Change and the Tribes programming, including the Circle Workshop for 30-40 teachers developed as part of the Indigenous Climate Project at the Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb Cultural Center.
Environmental education is something we are passionate about and through our support of these exceptional projects, we are able to impact thousands of students. We could go on and on about the work that these groups do and how honored we are to be part of their work to foster a sense of belonging and connection in nature. That’s what we call making a significant impact in environmental education and health!
– Katha Miller-Winder, President