Mission garden will expand field trips, family program offerings, and curriculum development to serve more young people with hands-on learning experiences that root gardening within a shared…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded Friends Of Tucson's Birthplace, Inc. $176,742 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to expand youth education and field trip programming at Mission Garden in Tucson, Arizona.

The award funds maintenance and expansion of three youth education positions that will promote, manage, and lead field trips and educational programs serving at least 1,934 students over two years. Staff will help young people develop interest in science and gardening while fostering connection to their community. Project activities emphasize hands-on learning experiences rooted in American gardening heritage, with a specific focus on improving youth mental health by offering uplifting narratives about shared American experiences in the Southwest. The project also addresses challenges students face in science learning.

Performance occurs in Tucson, Arizona, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2028.

Mission garden will expand field trips, family program offerings, and curriculum development to serve more young people with hands-on learning experiences that root gardening within a shared american experience. Project activities will focus on maintaining and expanding three positions in youth education. These staff members will promote, manage, and lead field trips and youth programs to help young people develop an interest in science and gardening while fostering a sense of place and connection to their community. Through these efforts, the project aims to improve youth mental health by offering uplifting narratives about shared american experiences in the southwest. The goal of this project is for mission garden to serve at least 1,934 students over two years and to address challenges students face in science learning and mental health.