Major Educational Initiatives
The Foundation's educational initiatives develop enthusiasm for active, outdoor recreation which is critical to the health of future generations and the health of our natural heritage. We believe that outdoor education and interaction with our natural and cultural resources yield measurable benefits for children and adults while fostering a personal connection that leads to increased protection of our natural and cultural heritage.
It is well documented that today's youth are losing their connection to nature at an alarming rate. Participation in outdoor recreation falls each year and there is cause for alarm. Without a connection to nature, these youth will not grow up to support the natural heritage that we have preserved and restored. Conservation will become less important and our natural areas could quickly become expendable.
It is also well documented that a strong link exists between active, outdoor recreation and a healthy society. Places like Boulder, Colorado, Honolulu, Hawaii and Provo, Utah have been rated as the healthiest and happiest cities in America. Their abundance of, and the high interest in, outdoor recreation is considered a major factor in their high ranking. Beyond physical activity, public lands are also places for respite, recovery, relationship building and relaxation. Lately the phrase "healthy parks, healthy people" has been popularized and the axiom rings true in Indiana too.
In 2010, 42% of the Foundation's expenses supported outdoor education initiatives in Indiana, including:
- Hoosier Outdoor Experience, September 17 - 18, 2011
Hosted at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis, the Hoosier Outdoor Experience is Indiana's largest, hands-on outdoor recreation event. Featuring more than 50 activities and over 120 grassroots recreation partners, this free weekend provides opportunities to learn about the great outdoors while discovering new interests and building outdoor related skills. Activities include areas on hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, off-road vehicles, mountain biking, camping and much more. The Foundation fully funds the Experience so all 20,000+ visitors can enjoy the program for free. For more information visit http://www.in.gov/dnr/5009.htm
- Indiana Master Naturalist
The Indiana Master Naturalist program provides a hands-on opportunity to learn about Indiana's natural resources and teaches how to share that knowledge, along with life experiences, through volunteer service. The purpose of the program is to introduce Indiana's natural resources through the guidance of professionals and experts in the field. The program also provides an opportunity for participants to establish a relationship with a natural resources agency or a local organization involved in natural resource management through volunteering. http://www.in.gov/dnr/masternaturalist/index.html
- Project WILD
Project WILD is a supplementary environmental and conservation education program emphasizing wildlife. The program's innovative, hands-on activities are designed for students in kindergarten through twelfth grade and are correlated with and easily integrated into all school subject areas or programs. The Foundation has provided financial support to help Project WILD become to a financially independent program that trains and empowers 500 - 600 teachers and educators each year. Learn more about Project WILD: http://www.in.gov/dnr/nrec/2445.htm
- Discovering the Outdoors
School budgets are being cut and field trips are often the first thing to go. Through the Discovering the Outdoors Initiative donors can restrict their gift to provide field trip stipends for schools. Field trips allow children to experience Indiana's natural heritage through hands-on approaches that correlate with Indiana's science and math standards.
- Natural Heritage of Indiana Marion Jackson described his vision for the book The Natural Heritage of Indiana as "a celebration of Indiana's natural heritage - its natural and human history, its landscape and its life - what it once was, what it is now, and what it promises to be." He issued this challenge "if you feel moved to help protect what remains of Indiana's natural heritage, our objective will have been fulfilled. This documentary series, sponsored by the INRF shares that mission. http://www.naturalheritageofindiana.org/
For information or to get involved in supporting these initiatives please visit our contacts page: http://www.in.gov/inrf/contact_us.html or make a gift through our donations page:
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