Apply for the Letha's Youth Outdoors Fund

Letha's Youth Outdoors Fund

Through the financial support of the above named fund (see sidebar), INPAWS has launched a program to connect school age children to the wonders of nature.  This new venture is in harmony with the national “kids to nature” movement a’la Richard Louv’s Last Child in the Woods and the vernacular Nature-Deficit Disorder.  The basic model is:

• Provide financial assistance to student and youth groups for field trips to nature sites;  The money is intended to help with transportation costs and/or naturalist fees where no funds exist,

• Promote youth initiated projects/activities that connect kids with nature.

This assistance program is intended to be available state-wide.  Teachers/leaders may select nature sites suitable to their location and situation.  An exemplary program is at the Marian University EcoLab in Indianapolis.  Two-hour field trips include an hour of walk-around instruction with a second hour of student hands-on participation in a restoration activity, pulling garlic mustard, installing plant plugs, collecting seeds, etc.

The Marian University EcoLab program is here outlined as an example of desirable field trip programming.  To minimize transportation costs, applicants are encouraged to select nearby nature sites suitable to your program.  The expectation is that professionally trained environmental educators/naturalists or well-experienced leaders conduct the hikes and instruct the students.

When possible, INPAWS members will support the field trip activity in several ways—pointing out plants, animals, birds, and insects during hikes, helping with a planting activity, assisting with an eradication effort, and generally sharing their enthusiasm and love of nature.

An example of a youth initiated project is a Girl Scout Troop request for assistance to create a brochure about the invasive plant:  garlic mustard.  Following a troop activity to reclaim some natural woodlands, they became aware of widespread neighborhood infestations.  Empowered by their experience and knowledge they wished to embark on a community awareness campaign.  The girls authored their very own poem, “Beware the Garlic Mustard Plant!”  With support from this fund, they were able to create, print, and fold 600 copies  to distribute in affected neighborhoods. 

To apply for assistance please DOWNLOAD and complete the application “Letha’s Youth Outdoors Fund” (Word document), save the form, and e-mail it to the address at the bottom of the form (preferred method - LethasFund@INPAWS.org), or mail to Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society (INPAWS), P.O. Box 30317, Indianapolis, IN 46230-0317. Correspondance for Letha's Fund should also be addressed to the Letha's Fund e-mail address above.        

We cannot provide or arrange the transportation and request that school transportation systems, or in the case of other groups, local transit means be accessed and we will reimburse at cost.  In the interest of stretching donated dollars, we request the Driver/Bus Charges be based on direct costs, i.e. the driver hourly pay bus mileage.  Funds are provided in arrears and upon approval of application. 

For more information DOWNLOAD the "Get Into Nature" brochure.

We welcome your comments, suggestions, and additions.

Contact Marcia Moore, INPAWS Website Coordinator

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