Funding helps youth and young adults to be environmentally stewards
GIG HARBOR (Wash., March 31, 2022 /PRNewswire/ —The Russell Family Foundation(TRFF), announced 32 grants totaling $779,550Its Environmental Education portfolio will increase access to approximately 119,000 youth and young adult to outdoor environmental learning opportunities in Puget Sound.
The grants awarded to 32 community organizations provide support for in-person programming, including maritime and ecology lessons, sailingboat voyages, overnight camps, summer internship programs, and support for other initiatives such as summer internships, maritime and ecology lessons and overnight camps. Multiple grantees have also been working to expand programming to BIPOC or low-income communities. These organizations serve youth. Pierce, Jefferson, Kitsap, KingThurston and Thurston counties.
TRFF CEO, said that environmental education remains a priority area for the Foundation. Kathleen Simpson. “We look forward for these young people to become stewards and champions of our shared values for sustainable future.”
Each grantee has a different strategy for encouraging and supporting environmental stewardship.
“We are inspired and motivated by the efforts of these community organisations to connect youth with nature,” said Fabiola GreenawaltTRFF Program Officer. “Each organization is unique in its approach and commitment towards experiential education.”
The following details are available for each grant:
Braided Seeds, $12,000
Braided Seeds is an organization that is Black-centered and aims to remove barriers for BIPOC communities to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The funding will be used to pay for its 2022 Reclamation Trips, summer internship program, and other costs.
Camp Fire Central Puget Sound, $20,000
Camp Fire Central’s Outdoor Education Program offers outdoor experiences for children living in the Puget Sound Region. The grant will be used to support seasonal naturalists and staff at Camp Sealth, located on Vashon IslandSchools can also be supported to bring youth to overnight camping experiences, which is a cost-saving option for many students who otherwise might not be able. They help children develop leadership and confidence as well as academic success.
Camp Solomon Schechter, $7,500
Camp Solomon Schechter offers environmental education to elementary schools in the Pacific Northwest. This grant will cover the costs of Camp Solomon’s Youth Mentor Training Program. This program prepares high school students for their role as mentors to elementary school children at Camp Solomon. The program provides hands-on lessons and training in leadership, team building, ecology, and team building. Thurston County youth.
Puget Sound Voyaging Society – Community Boat Project,$25,000
The Community Boat Project, a partnership, aims to build stronger communities by giving youth life and job skills through mentorship. This grant will be used to support the general operations of its Voyaging/Sailor Scientist and Community Builders programs, as well as Shelter from The Storm.
Ocean Foundation fiscally sponsors Deep Green Wilderness, $20,000
Deep Green Wilderness believes in making a positive impact on the environment, the community and the future. This grant will support their general operations as well as provide scholarships for youth. King, Pierce, Jefferson, KitsapParticipation by countries in summer voyages aboard the Orion’s sailboat, Orion.
Environmental Science Center, $25,000
The Environmental Science Center brings together diverse communities to promote environmental stewardship, academic achievement, and science-based education. The grant will help youth in south Africa with stewardship and experiential education. King County.
Foss Waterway Seaport, $80,000
Foss Waterway Seaport’s mission is to celebrate Tacoma’smaritime heritage. This grant will support the Seaport’s partnership with the Seaport in addition to their year-round programs. TacomaSchool District to implement Science of the Sea programming, which increases students’ knowledge of marine and environmental sciences and how they can coexist in marine environments.
Friends of North Creek Forest, $25,000
Friends of North Creek Forests was created with the goal of maintaining and improving the ecological function of North Creek Forests through education, stewardship, conservation, and restoration in perpetuity. The funding will be used to support a variety operating costs including student-led projects, equipment for lessons, and stipends for education interns.
Garden Raised Bounty, $20,000
GRuB (Garden Raised Bounty), is an organization that works at the intersection between food, education and health systems to cultivate healthy food, people and communities. The funds will be used to support the general operation of their GroundED youth program, which is a partnership between GRuB & Capital Region Educational Service District 113. It engages diverse youth in Thurston County.
Great Peninsula Conservancy, $30,000
Great Peninsula Conservancy is an independent land trust that works to protect the natural habitats, rural landscapes, open spaces, and open spaces of the Great Peninsula Region of the West Puget Sound. The grant will help fund its Land Lab sites that engage the public. Kitsap countyStudents in middle school participate in environmental science projects.
IslandWood, $25,000
IslandWood, an environmental education nonprofit, works to promote innovative education. It offers a variety immersive programs in the Puget Sound region. Funds will be used to support environmental programs for youth, including school overnight programs and summer camps.
Northwest Natural Resource Group, $12,500
Northwest Natural Resources Group works together with landowners in order to improve the health and sustainability of forests in western Washington Washington OregonTo promote “ecological forestry”. The grant will help them partner with Camp Waskowitz, an outdoor education camp in Highline School District, to provide youth with environmental education outside of urban centers.
Northwest Youth Corps, $20,500
Northwest Youth Corps’ mission it to provide opportunities for youth, young adults, and their families to learn and grow. Funding will be used to support the Sound to Summit (S2S), program, and partnership with Metro Parks and Tacoma Public Schools District. TacomaSouth Puget Sound environmental stewardship for teens and adults
Pacific Education Institute, $33,120
The Pacific Education Institute has been steadily advancing civil and scientific literacy for nearly two decades and deepening student involvement through real-world science outside. Funding will provide stipends to students who are participating in Youth Engaged Sustainability System (YESS). Courses that focus on green economy workforce skills. This partnership is with the Highline School District, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.
Port Townsend Marine Science Center, $25,000
The Port Townsend Marine Science Center provides programs for youth that enable them to have first-hand experiences in the marine environment. The grant will be used to support outdoor activities and programs for students. Jefferson Kitsap counties.
Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, $25,000
The Puget Soundkeeper Alliance is the first and only organization that focuses exclusively on stopping water pollution in the Puget Sound Basin. Funding will support the partnership of Puget Soundkeeper Alliance with Unleash the Brilliance. This youth-mentorship organization will create a paid summer internship program to allow UTB’s Youth Leaders access to Springbrook Creek as an outdoor learning space.
Sea Potential, $20,000
Sea Potential has a mission: to foster a full circle of BIPOC representations in the maritime industry. Youth will be able to feel connected to the marine ecosystem through healing activities, and ocean justice discussions for youth. Pierce County South King County.
SHADOW, $3,000
SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve can be found in South King CountyIt acquires and restores land that is critical to the protection and preservation of endangered wildlife habitat. The Nature Preserve will provide funding for environmental education programs that engage youth.
South Sound Estuary Association, $12,230
The Puget Sound Estuarium created the South Sound Estuary Association because of community interest in providing opportunities for the public learn more about Puget Sound. Funding will be used for Thurston youth field trips. PierceThere are many marine and estuary topics that cover the counties.
Summer Search, $30,000
Summer search SeattleIt is one of five sites in the country that support young people to succeed and become financially independent adults with a strong sense if purpose in life. Funding will be provided to support their Experiential outdoor summer program in Olympic or North Cascade National Parks.
Trout Unlimited, $22,000
Trout Unlimited is a group of people with diverse interests who work together to restore and protect streams and rivers so children can enjoy the pleasures of native and wild trout and salmon. Two positions will be funded to coordinate the Lake Sammamish STEAM Connections program that engages diverse economic and cultural demographics.
University of Washington Botanic Gardens, $20,000
Through a variety of experiential learning opportunities, UW Botanic Gardens engages with families and children about environmental issues and the natural realm. This grant will pay for internship stipends and a coordinator position for the Inclusive Leadership Program.
University of Washington Foundation – Mount Rainier Institute, $30,000
Mount Rainier Institute offers outdoor school programs for students in grades fifth-12.ThGrades, with a focus on the Puget Sound and Mount Rainier regions’ unserved communities. Funding will support operations for the overnight and day programs, which serve participants from traditional school groups, families and homeschool groups.
Vashon Natural Center, $22,500
Vashon Nature Centre’s mission is to provide transformative nature experiences for their island and the Salish Sea region by community science, education, research, and community science. Vashon Nature Centre’s staff will be able to pay for program expenses and to provide programs to students. Vashon IslandAnd beyond.
Washington Outdoor School Consortium WashingtonEducation of the school principal, $24,000
The Washington Outdoor School Consortium consists of a group of educational institutions. WashingtonOutdoor school providers who strive to lower barriers to ensure that all students have access high-quality programs. Funding will support a wide range of coalition activities like convening summits or providing and maintaining technology infrastructure to manage contact management.
Washington Trails Association, $25,000
Washington Trails Association (WTA), mobilizes hikers, and anyone who loves the outdoors, to explore, steward and champion trails and public lands. This funding will go towards WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training Program. Pierce CountySouth Puget Sound region by providing teachers and youth leaders with the skills, resources, and support they need to lead youth in safe, fun outdoor experiences.
WaYa Outdoor Institute,$25,000
Wa-Ya Outdoor Institute, a Native women-led organisation, provides youth with outdoor skills, environmental science, Tribal knowledge, and Tribal knowledge to maintain a connection with the natural world. Funding will pay for training costs, stipends and supplies for youth interns in summer programming.
Western Washington University Foundation(SEA Discovery Center)., $25,000
The SEA Discovery Center was founded by the community in order to be an educational resource. These funds will be used to pay staff to deliver programs for fifth- and sixth graders. Kitsap countyPublic and tribal schools
Wild Society, $25,000
Wild Society is an international nonprofit organization. Kitsap countyWe are working to foster wonder and belonging in the natural environment. The organization will use the funding to support its general operations and provide outdoor experiences.
World Relief Seattle, $25,000
As Washington’sWorld Relief Seattle, the largest refugee resettlement and services organization, works with refugees as well as immigrants. The funding will support activities such as paid youth internships that allow refugee youth to combine sustainability education with environmental service-learning at a local garden.
YMCA Of Greater Seattle Camp & Outdoor Leadership, $40,000
The YMCA’s vision focuses upon individual and community resilience. YMCA’s Earth Service Corps, (YESC), will receive funding support to enable them to provide programming for 1000 youth to play a part in creating a healthier school and community environment. They will also foster a respect for diversity in the natural world.
YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties$25,000
The YMCA has a long history of serving the communities and people surrounding it. Pierce Kitsap counties. This funding will be used to support the general operation of the Outdoor Environmental Education Program, which will reach approximately 5,000 youth. Kitsap, Pierce, King Thurston Counties.
Visit the Russell Family Foundation website for more information. www.trff.org/environmental-education/.
About The Russell Family Foundation
Founded by George and Jane RussellThe Russell Family Foundation, (TRFF), is a way for extended family members to make a small, but significant, positive impact on their community. TRFF funds local, regional, and global change through community investments in causes, including resources for grassroots leaders and environmental sustainability. They are committed to integrity, mutual trust, constructive communications, life-long learning, and courage in all they do. TRFF focuses on the Puget Sound region and places particular emphasis upon Pierce County, WA.For more information, please visit www.trff.org.
SOURCE Russell Family Foundation
