2015 AZGFD Heritage Grants for Education Info Session

About the AZGFD

• Arizona Game and Fish Department

• State government agency responsible for managing all of the state’s wildlife species

• Receive no general tax dollars

• www.azgfd.gov

About the presenter

• Eric Proctor

• Wildlife Education Coordinator

• Former middle school science teacher

• Responsible for teacher PD and curriculum development

• eproctor@azgfd.gov

• www.azgfd.gov/focuswild

About the Heritage Fund

• Ballot initiative passed by voters in 1990

• 2:1 ratio (more than 60% of the vote)

• Up to $10 million for AZ lottery revenue goes to AZGFD

• Crucial for funding wildlife conservation efforts including wolves, ferrets, eagles and condors

• www.azgfd.gov/heritage

About the Heritage Grants

• Started in 1992 as part of the Heritage Fund• Nearly 700 projects totaling more than $13

million• About $400,000 available in 2015• Open to PUBLIC entities, private/non-profit

need sponsor• Applications due 5pm on 9/30/14• Six categories:

– Public access– Urban Wildlife– IIAPM– Environmental Education– Outdoor Education– Schoolyard Habitats

Environmental Education

• Total: $16,000; Grants from $500-$10,000• Option 1: Educator Professional Development

Partnerships– Off-set costs associated with AZGFD-sponsored PD– Continued and sustained, rather than one-time

workshops– Should work with AZGFD staff

• Option 2: North American Model of Wildlife Conservation Education and Outreach– Develop and implement education/outreach

related to NAM

• Option 3: Developing Natural Resource Stewards– Multi-organization partnerships projects– Use outdoor recreation to develop

appreciation/stewardship of natural resources

Outdoor Education

• Total: $16,000; Grants from $500-$2,500• Costs associated with wildlife-related field trips inc.

transportation, sub fees, materials. No entrance fees.• Option 1: Outdoor, Nature-based Field Experience

– Explore habitats and wildlife at one or more outdoor settings

– Teacher created, rather than established program– Standards-based, inquiry-oriented, hands-on– Pre/post activities

• Option 2: Youth Day at the Outdoor Expo– Visit AZGFD Outdoor Expo Youth Day, Friday, March 27,

2015

• Option 3: Outdoor Programs at Hirsch Conservation Education Area– Participate in hands-on program in north Phoenix– Choose at least 3 potential dates– Digital photography, geocaching, sport fishing, wildlife

tracking, or watchable wildlife

Schoolyard Habitats

• Total: $37,500; Grants from $500-$10,000• Costs associated with wildlife-related habitats that

accomodates wildlife education. Not vegetable gardens, greenhouses, etc.

• Option 1: Development of New Wildlife Habitats on School Sites– On schoolgrounds or immediately adjacent– Encourage native urban wildlife increase

awareness/appreciation of wildlife and habitats– Use native plants– Space that encourages outdoor exploration and learning– Standards-based instructional materials– Student involvement in all phases

• Option 2: Enhancement or Restoration of Heritage Funded Schoolyard Habitat– Must be an existing Heritage funded habitat– Improvements could include viewing blinds, feeders, nest

boxes, tortoise enclosure, water sources, interpretive signs, non-native plant removal, low water use irrigation