WINNEMUCCA - The Nevada Outdoor School, since its creation 10 years ago, has evolved into an organization that focuses on community needs and adapts accordingly, staying true to its vision of growth and expansion.
When the school was first created, it was a smaller operation funded thorough grants and partnerships. Stewardship and conservation have always been two of its main focuses, but today the school runs much more systematically and focuses on strengthening education and outdoor ethics.
NOS is constantly looking to broaden its base of local support, and that's why the annual fundraiser is so important, according to Director of Programming Jessica Snaman.
"Our ultimate vision is to expand and grow," she said.
This year's annual fundraiser is the Fifth Annual Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook-Off, which is a fun, family-friendly event that further encourages relationships and partnerships with individuals, businesses, and organizations in the community.
One partnership that NOS has nurtured throughout the years is one with AmeriCorps and VISTA. This year alone, NOS will be placing 28 AmeriCorps individuals within organizations throughout the community. By 2006, NOS had 20 volunteer positions, thanks to the efforts of founder Stephanie Lefevre, and when she passed NOS on to Executive Director Andy Hart in 2009, he continued to carry on her vision and expand the school even more.
- See NOS, Page 23 -
Now, NOS provides year-round outdoor education opportunities for youth not only in Humboldt County, but also in Pershing, Lander, and Elko counties. Snaman said that partnerships with local, state, and national agencies and organizations have provided NOS with the opportunity for growth in Humboldt County and neighboring communities.
Currently, NOS is facing the problem of unreliable federal grants and the need for consistent funding, making events like its annual fundraiser even more vital to its success.
"It's why the annual fundraiser is so important," Snaman said.
Brenna Archibald, former AmeriCorps State Naturalist with NOS, said that NOS is vital to the community for a variety of reasons.
"NOS is important to the community because it inspires local students to investigate the world in which they live," she said. "It allows them to learn in a hands on and engaging way. NOS teaches students place-based lessons and programming which urges them to consider the history and fascinations of not only Winnemucca, but the high desert, and Nevada."
Steven Thompson, also an AmeriCorps State Naturalist with NOS, agreed with Archibald, saying that NOS offers " a variety of programs which inspire members of the community to get out and enjoy the beautiful place we live in."
Among the programs that NOS makes available to the community are interpretive hikes in Water Canyon, ATV education, outdoor ethics, and numerous other community outreach programs.
Moving forward, Snaman said that NOS hopes to build upon its existing relationships and create new ones to be able to even better serve communities throughout rural northern Nevada.
[[In-content Ad]]
