In 2024, over 10,000 kids benefited from outdoor learning thanks to the Nevada Outdoor Education & Recreation Grant Program.
The 2024 Nevada Outdoor Education & Recreation (NOER) Grant Program Impact Report, which highlights the program's impact on outdoor education throughout the state, has been released by the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation (NDOR).
The Nevada Department of Conservation & Natural Resources says that in its first year, 64 project applications were filed, and $1.4 million in funding was requested. Thus, the NOER grant program experienced tremendous demand to expand outdoor learning opportunities in all 17 Nevada counties.
NOER provided financing for 23 distinct initiatives totaling about $250,000, including nine Tier II projects (up to $30,000) and 14 microgrant initiatives (up to $5,000).
They say that together, these initiatives had the following notable effects in 2024: including 10,944 people in outdoor recreation and education, giving young people 25,855 hours of outdoor time to promote experiential learning and environmental care, maintaining 57 employment, and fostering the expansion of the outdoor industry in Nevada.
Producing additional matching contributions of $329,406 via in-kind, cash, and volunteer contributions.
The Nevada Department of Conservation & Natural Resources says the goal of developing outdoor education to empower communities by providing a variety of outdoor learning experiences made available throughout Nevada is reflected in the NOER award recipients.
Among the major initiatives are:
• Environmental education initiatives in rural Nevada, such as those run by the Nevada Outdoor School, River Wranglers, Walker Basin Conservancy, and Great Basin Foundation.
• The Center for Adaptive Riding offers equine therapy to foster children and young people with disabilities.
• The Tahoe Rim Trail Association offers backpacking camps.
• Together We Can: Urban nature adventure in Las Vegas for minorities.
They say that NDOR says that smaller-scale microgrant initiatives are also having an impact throughout Nevada, such as the Lahontan Audubon Society's birdwatching excursions at Washoe Lake, Friends of Red Rock Canyon's field trips for Title I schools, and Sierra Nevada Journeys' STEM camp experiences for Title I students.
Click here to read the complete 2024 NOER Impact Report and find out more about upcoming funding possibilities.
