Is your school interested in participating in a dynamic program that supports the development of a Schoolyard Habitat program at your school in association with a local National Wildlife Refuge? If so, review the details below and submit the attached application form by November 14, 2014! How does the Program Work? The National Wildlife Federation s (NWF) Schoolyard Habitat Program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service want to create 24 demonstration schoolyard habitats near national wildlife refuges. The program s objectives are to replicate, on a much smaller scale, the habitats found on national wildlife refuges, while creating outdoor classrooms that students and educators can build, maintain, and access throughout the year. The schoolyard habitats will feature some of the same plants and animals living on nearby wildlife refuges and other natural areas. We are also looking for schools to provide habitats supporting broader U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service habitat management goals, such as installing pollinator gardens, migratory bird habitats, and phenology demonstration areas. Schoolyard habitats provide food, water and shelter for native plant and animal species, are highly effective tools for teaching young people about natural science, and help connect students to nature. In some cases new habitats will be created. In others, schools with existing habitats could be modified to align them with the plant communities found on local national wildlife refuges or support other wildlife conservation goals of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Participating schools will receive a grant of $2,500 to plan and establish or modify habitat at their school. For example, a school located near the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey (which provides critical habitat to a wide variety of migratory birds) might design their schoolyard habitat to offer migrating birds much needed food, water, shelter, and places to raise young. Schools near the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge, which has a strong focus on native grasslands and river corridors, could work with refuge staff to create a micro grassland or woodland that mirrors important refuge habitat. The goal of the program is to encourage wildlife refuge employees to work closely with each participating school in the development and/or enhancement of their site. NWF will also provide support through its Eco-schools USA and Schoolyard Habitat programs. Check below for eligibility, criteria, and application. 1
If my school participates in the Program, what are we required to do? Complete the attached application and provide signatures (including school principal.) Selected schools will be required to: Register as an Eco-School on the NWF Eco-Schools USA website and complete the profile page Design, spend provided funds, and install the habitat elements by the end of the school year Work in partnership with your local national wildlife refuge or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office (wildlife refuge locations can be found at www.fws.gov/refuges/) Implement the Eco-Schools Schoolyard Habitat pathway and seven step framework at your school Document your progress through stories and photos (or videos), etc. Participate in program evaluation and communication Certify your Schoolyard Habitat with NWF and the USFWS Apply for an Eco-Schools USA Bronze award at the end of the program What are the benefits of participating in the Program? You can use the $2,500 seed grant to make big changes at your school by transforming or enhancing your school grounds You can use your new Schoolyard Habitat to provide as a living, accessible, outdoor classroom to teach students and youth groups about natural science You can make strong community connections between your school and a local national wildlife refuge You can instill a sense of environmental stewardship in your students after they establish and maintain their Schoolyard Habitat You will receive a free Schoolyard Habitat sign for your site You will have the opportunity to receive free native tree seedlings to plant at your school and for students to plant at home You can highlight your school s achievements by posting them on your NWF Eco-Schools USA profile page You will qualify for an Eco-Schools USA Bronze award at the end of the program Grant Timeline Application due: November 14, 2014 Proposals Selected and applicants notified by: December, 15, 2014 First Payment: See requirements below Final Payment: See requirements below Program Completion: June 12, 2015 2
How does the grant payment work? If selected, your school will receive 2 grant checks. See below for actions needed to receive payment: Action Payment Complete registration on Eco-Schools USA web site. Develop Eco- Schools USA profile page. Make contact and get commitment of support from local national wildlife refuge staff. Begin Eco-Schools $2000 seven step framework. Participate in pre-survey evaluation. Design and plan for habitat site. Complete all seven steps of Eco-Schools Process. Complete garden planting by end of school year. Provide long-term strategy for $ 500 habitat use. Participate in final evaluation. Provide final report to NWF. Ensure your summer maintenance plan is in place. TOTAL $2,500 3
Application and Release Form Contact Information School Name: School Address: Contact Person Name(s): Title: Contact Email: Phone Number: National Wildlife Refuge or USFWS Office Name: Refuge/Office Address: Contact Person Name(s): Title: Contact Email: Phone Number: Grant Questions: please use additional pages if needed detail is important! 1. Do you already have a Schoolyard Habitat at your school? (Check One) YES NO 2. If yes, what does this look like and how is it being used? 3. Tell us how you will use the $2,500 grant funding? What type of habitat or species of concern you will be focusing on at your school? 4
4. Is this is a newly planned Schoolyard Habitat or an enhancement of an existing one? Check One: Newly Planned Enhancement of existing Schoolyard Habitat 5. How do you plan to use this Schoolyard Habitat in your curriculum and outdoor learning? 6. Provide a brief summary plan on how you will support and continue to use your Schoolyard Habitat in the future. How will your school support the maintenance and sustainability of this outdoor classroom during summers and over the next several years? Once your application is reviewed and accepted you will be provided with additional information to move forward. Term: Application due November 15, 2014. This program is scheduled to be implemented during the 2014/15 school year and needs to be completed by June 12, 2015. The parties below acknowledge participation in the program as of this date: School Principal: Name: Signature: Please return completed form with school administrator signatures to soper@nwf.org 5