This grant is authorized under section 6 of the national environmental education act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 awarded $134,410 to the Center for the Force Majeure Foundation under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) on August 1, 2025, for a project period extending through July 31, 2027. This environmental education project supports an intergenerational model engaging 15 Washoe high school students in paid internships to examine hydrology and fire-adapted landscapes in response to intentional fire reintroduction. The project delivers four field-based learning experiences to the Tahoe Basin region, where students study controlled burn sites at Sagehen and learn about water cycles, stream health, and fire predictive software through hands-on measurement and soil analysis activities.

The project provides direct environmental education and workforce development services targeting high school students across Nevada County, Placer County, El Dorado County, and Alpine County in California, as well as Douglas and Carson Counties in Nevada, and the North Tahoe and Truckee areas. Beyond direct student participation, the grant funds dissemination activities and an intergenerational mentoring component wherein participating students mentor peers in their local watershed. The project aligns with Pillar 3 of the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, emphasizing cooperative federalism and cross-agency partnership to build public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues while equipping participants with skills necessary for informed decision-making and responsible environmental stewardship.

Description

This grant is authorized under section 6 of the national environmental education act. This environmental education grant's workplan aligns with pillar 3 of the powering the great american comeback initiative, 'permitting reform, cooperative federalism, and cross-agency partnership.' as detailed in the workplan, the center for the force majeure foundation's project will support 15-20 high school students in an intergenerational model that examines how hydrology and fire-adapted landscapes respond to the RE-introduction of intentional fire. The student group will travel on four field trips, led by scientists and educators, to the tahoe basin to learn about hydrology, water cycles, and stream health. Students will also study controlled burn sites at sagehen from the last 10 years of intentional fire to deepen watershed focused environmental education and will then mentor other students who live in the watershed. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $100,000. Preaward costs are approved back to 8/1/2025. See terms and conditions. Activities:this project will increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues in nevada county, placer county, EL dorado county, alpine county, california, douglas and carson counties in nevada, and north tahoe and truckee areas. And provide students the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions. Activities to be performed during this project period include: recruiting 15 washoe high school student to participate in paid internships that will occur over the grant period. CFM will plan field trips to at least three sites where land managers have implemented controlled burns. After taking field trips to learn about hydrology, water cycles, stream health, and fire predictive software, students will measure, compare and contrast water content in the soils on burn scars and compare them with untreated tracts of land. Participants will disseminate their model by collaborating with high school students in the tahoe truckee unified school district by sharing findings and model during a field trip.subrecipient:subrecipients will provide support to the project based on their organization's strengths, including identifying knowledge bearers and scientist educators for workshops, and recruiting participants. Four subrecipients subawards will also be used to provide stipends to student participants. One subrecipient will use subaward to lead curriculum development and disseminate materials. Outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the following deliverables: recruit at least 15 washoe students, recruit at least 15 tahoe-truckee school district students, conduct four two-day field experiences and one three-day field experience, involve at least six scientists to teach, three educators to develop the curriculum, and at least 4 elder washoe knowledge-keepers in first four field experiences. Expected outcomes of the project include an increase in students experiencing and relearning traditional forms of managing land including a general understanding of hydrology in specific places; relevant geospatial technologies that give them a more holistic understanding of the tahoe and truckee watersheds, and the need for-and benefits of-the application of low-intensity fire in the watershed. Long-term outcomes are encouraging students to think about the relationships between the WA:scaron; IW language learning along with the technical vocabulary they are being exposed to and how their presence as the environmental managers can impact this natural resource management awareness as a way of life and not just a project; successful learning through environmental awareness and reinstating traditional practices and place-based knowledge for students who will be making decisions about their post-secondary education and careers. The intended beneficiaries include the