Looking to connect your students with nature?
We’ve got you covered!
APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING FUNDING WILL OPEN JANUARY 15TH!
Funds are limited and as such we have have to make some updates to our process. The deadline to apply for spring funding will be February 14th. Following this deadline, we will review applications and reach out to recipients the following week. Applications that are incomplete or are repeated grades/schools will not be considered.
Since the pandemic and in addition to transportation funding relief, Nature Net aims to support your efforts to include outdoor, nature, and environmental education in your curricula with The New Nature Express grant program.
Designed to remove barriers and support your creative ideas with up to $300 in funding, The New Nature Express works as follows:
- Fill out the application below – tell us about your innovative connection to nature exploration and learning
- Keep track of your spending using this simple form
- Submit your final expenditures by December 1st (for fall applicants) or June 1st (for spring applicants)
- Receive your payment and celebrate your success! Time spent in nature is good for everyone’s health and learning outcomes!
Have Questions?
Details and frequently asked questions are listed below.
FAQs
What qualifies as a Nature Express nature project or idea?
Get creative! We want to support your innovative ways of connecting your students with nature. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this list for ideas and additional resources.
Does my nature project or idea have to include a Nature Net site?
No, but we encourage you to take advantage of the programs, resources, and creative virtual and in-person materials and opportunities Nature Net sites are working hard to create for you and your students. Nature Net and other resources designed to address at-home learning with a connection to nature can be found here.
How does the New Nature Express work?
Once you apply, we will review your application and let you know if your nature project or field trip has been accepted. This is generally done on a weekly basis but please bear with us as we navigate this new process. If you do not hear from someone from Nature Net after two full weeks from your application date, please email info@naturenet.org to check in.
This grant program functions on a reimbursement basis. We understand this may create a barrier to getting started on your project and if this is the case, we invite you to reach out to us at info@naturenet.org. Otherwise, you will need to track your spending on our provided form, and submit all of your expenses by January 1 (for fall applicants) and June 1 (for spring applicants). We will follow up with a friendly reminder if your expense report needs completing.
How likely is my application to be accepted?
This is not a competitive grant program. We aim to accept as many applications as we can with the funds we have available. You will hear from us if your idea has been accepted and you are then free to carry on with your project. Reimbursements will be allocated at the end of each semester.
How much funding can I request?
You may request up to $300 to support your nature-based project or field trip.
To which academic standards should I link my nature project?
Your nature project or idea should link directly to your curriculum and or to any of the Department of Public Instruction’s State Academic Standards, including but not limited to the new Environmental Literacy & Sustainability standards, Next Generation Science Standards, or other standards your school or district uses for learning goals.
How do I track and share my spending?
We have created a Google sheet with instructions on how to fill it out which will be sent to you upon acceptance of your project or field trip. You may list all of your project expenses and will be reimbursed for up to $300 of your costs.
What are examples of “measures of success” as requested in the application?
We invite your creativity here, too! Use pictures, samples of students’ work, anecdotes from your students, administration, or even yourself! Success shows itself in many ways and we invite you to think of “success” expansively. Maybe children will form a new relationship with an outdoor space in their neighborhood, or they’ll be using nature to fuel an art or language arts project.
Ideas & Inspiration
Past and possible projects include:
- Educational programs – including virtual – provided by Nature Net sites
- Nature explorations kits for students to use at home – i.e. materials that support science, art, language arts
- Outdoor classroom supplies or construction support – if/when schools return to in person learning, outdoor learning is a potential safe option
- Supplies for an outdoor “scavenger hunt” – laminated sheets with plants/animals to find and activities to do, dry erase markers, butterfly nets
- Environmental measuring tools – i.e. thermometers, wet bulbs, anemometers, etc.
- Nature journals