This project provides funding to sequoia riverlands trust to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and techniques, that…

This $210,656 federal Project Grant award from the Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 under the Environmental Education Grants Program (CFDA 66.951) supports Sequoia Riverlands Trust, a nonprofit organization, to implement an environmental education and community engagement program in Visalia, California. The project will design, demonstrate, and disseminate educational practices, methods, and techniques to increase environmental literacy and encourage pro-environmental behaviors among students, teachers, and community members. Key activities include classroom lessons, field trips, and internships, through which over 100 ranchers, farmers, professionals, and 600 elementary/middle school students and teachers will be engaged annually. This will provide nearly 140 work-based learning and internship hours for high school interns, who will gain insights into their local environment and develop skills to become successful community leaders and environmental stewards.

This project provides funding to sequoia riverlands trust to implement its project, which will design, demonstrate, and disseminate environmental education practices, methods, and techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in visalia, CA. The grantee provides exposure by raising increasing awareness and understanding of ecosystem health and management. Annually, this program engages 40-60 high school interns from tulare county. The program has eight modules, each of which builds on the last to create a comprehensive view of regional ecosystems. In each module, interns participate in a classroom session, followed by a field trip to one of SRT's seven nature preserves to apply what they have learned. Interns work with field professionals while exploring and learning about the land around them, collecting data and gaining skills needed for future employment. Over a single year, interns teach and engage with over 100 ranchers, farmers, professionals and community members, and over 600 elementary and middle school students and teachers from the county. Interns can gain nearly 140 work-based learning and internship hours through the program. Through the earth academy program, these interns gain insight into their local environment, the world beyond, and tools needed to become successful community leaders and environmental stewards. This assistance agreement provides full federal funding in the amount of $100,000.00. Preaward costs are approved back to may 1, 2023. Activities:this project will increase public awareness and knowledge about environmental issues in visalia, CA and provide students, teachers, and community members the skills necessary to make informed decisions and to take responsible actions. Activities to be performed during this project period include: classroom lessons, field trips, and internships. Over a single year, interns teach and engage with over 100 ranchers, farmers, professionals and community members, and over 600 elementary and middle school students and teachers from the county. Interns can gain nearly 140 work-based learning and internship hours through the program. Through the earth academy program, these interns gain insight into their local environment, the world beyond, and tools needed to become successful community leaders and environmental stewards.subrecipient:subawards will be given to entities to perform tasks integral to the project's goals, as outlined by the prime. This specific grant will award subawards to non-profits and schools districts. Outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the following deliverables: the project develops a series of learning models and lesson plans that include classroom and place-based learning. Over a single year, interns teach and engage with over 100 ranchers, farmers, professionals and community members, and over 600 elementary and middle school students and teachers from the county. Interns can gain nearly 140 work-based learning and internship hours through the program. Through the earth academy program, these interns gain insight into their local environment, the world beyond, and tools needed to become successful community leaders and environmental stewards.