WINNEMUCCA - Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) has been in Winnemucca for a decade, and director Andy Hart gave Humboldt County commissioners a report on the organization's activities and progress in the county.
When NOS started in Winnemucca staff worked with a single classroom, teaching science and exploring the environment in outdoor settings.
Now, 10 years later, the outdoor school staff teaches standards-based classes to over 1,000 students a month, all at no cost to the Humboldt County School District.
Hart said this year NOS has worked hard to increase the outreach to rural schools in Pershing, Lander and even Elko County.
They got funding for a greenhouse at Paradise Valley School, which Hart said can be used by the students to grow whatever they want, adding that it can also be used to grow some native plant species for fire rehabilitation.
Hart said bitterbrush and other native species have been planted for fire rehabilitation. The Nevada Department of Wildlife has helped with trays for seeds and they've provided some seeds.
County students explored watersheds at Rebel Creek Ranch and Singas Canyon and did some experiments on Singas Creek. They also planted and spread some native seed in the area burned by the Hanson Fire.
Hart said, "We got a lot of comments from the students about how much they enjoyed exploring and learning outdoors."
NOS has been doing training on operating ATVs safely and teaching young people to enjoy motorized recreation ethically by "treading lightly," Hart said.
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that NOS has been handling ATV education a little differently this year - "Instead of trying to get ATV enthusiasts to come to us, we're trying to go to areas where they're alredy gathered to talk to them there." Hart said NOS has actually been going to ATV events and setting up a booth and educational activites . He added, "We have ATV camps for youth each year and we have a certified safety trainer on staff."
Hart told the commissioners that AmeriCorps is a companion program that's run out of the NOS office. He said AmeriCorps members do serve with NOS, but they serve at other sites throughout the county as well.
The opportunity to benefit from an AmeriCorps member's service is offered to community organizations, in return for paying just 38% of the AmeriCorps member's modest salary, Hart said. He added, "It's one of the best ways for non-profits to get a passionate volunteer to serve full time for their org." Area organizations benefitting from an Americorps member include the Winnemucca Ministerial Association soup kitchen, the Pleasant Senior Center, Humboldt Volunteer Hospice, Winnemucca Community Garden, Lander County School District, Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Friends of Black Rock Desert, and the Wells Family Resource Center. The remainder of the salary Americorps volunteers receive is paid by the federal government.
The AmeriCorps members serve either 10-week or one year terms, and can choose between full or part time service. They earn a small living stipend and an education award. Hart noted that many volunteers who came to Winnemucca through the Americorps program have stayed in the community after their period of service ended. Nevada Outdoor School's full-time staff administer the AmeriCorps grant that makes the program possible.
Nevada Outdoor School has a local board of directors. Kelly Novi of Humboldt County School District serves as president for the board, Briony Coleman of Newmont Mining Corporation is vice president, Russ Yowell of Ferguson is treasurer, and other members are Harvey Estes of Century 21, Matt Hoffer of Allied Nevada Gold Corp. and retired UNR professor and rancher Tony Lesperance.
NOS locally consists of five full-time staff, three full-time AmeriCorps National Service Members and three to four summer seasonal positions.
Hart reported that NOS provides over $150,000 of standards-based educational services to Humboldt County School District each year, free of charge. Over the last three years, NOS has put more than a million dollars in federal funds to work in northern Nevada. Hart said, "We provide the only science education for some rural classes." Hart noted NOS offers several summer programs which have a participation fee, and said that full no-questions-asked scholarships are offered if requested. He explained, "It's important that no child be excluded from our programs."
73% of the approximately half-million in yearly funding for NOS comes from federal grants, the remainder from local grants and donations including Newmont Legacy Fund, Barrick - Turquoise Ridge, Secure Rural Schools Act Title II funding, Southwest Gas, and NV Energy.
Hart said local donations mean a lot to the organization, "Because it shows that local folks want us here and value what we do."
After Hart's presentation, Commissioner Marlene Brissenden praised him for the article Hart wrote recently for the "A Better Life" section of the Humboldt Sun. Brissenden said she agreed it was very important for young people to get outside to enjoy and learn about the environment.
Hart responded,"Going forward, we need smart people going into science, to study the environment, and manage natural resources because coming demands for energy and water and other resources will require some innovative solutions.
French said many students who may not have an interest in science, or who don't know they have an interest in the environment may be inspired by the things they learn from Nevada Outdoor School. He said interactions between the NOS staff and students may cause some students to want to be involved with environmental education and stewardship.
Hart invited the commissioners and all area residents to join NOS for their annual fundraiser, which this year will double as their 10-year anniversary celebration. The Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook-Off is planned for August 24 at Riverview Park.[[In-content Ad]]
