WINNEMUCCA – Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) is excited to announce it has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation.
The generous support will enhance NOS’s youth outdoor education initiatives, support the AmeriCorps program, and operational capabilities to reach more communities throughout rural Nevada.
“We are deeply grateful to the NV Energy Foundation for their significant investment in our programs,” said Nevada Outdoor School Executive Director, Melanie Erquiaga. “This funding will allow us to continue our mission of inspiring exploration of the natural world, promoting responsible stewardship, and encouraging a strong community ethic. With NV Energy’s partnership, we can provide invaluable learning and workforce development opportunities that will benefit our rural Nevada communities now and in the future.”
The NV Energy Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen Nevada communities, enhance quality of life, and promote sustainability.
“We are proud to support the expansion of Nevada Outdoor School’s Rural Outdoor Education program which not only empowers the next generation with valuable skills but also fosters a deep connection to the environment. By investing in outdoor education and workforce development programs, we are helping to create opportunities for young people to build sustainable careers, while strengthening our communities, and preserving the natural world for future generations,” said NV Energy Vice President, Government and External Relations, Ryan Bellows. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on participants and our rural communities.”
Nevada Outdoor School (NOS) has connected students in rural Nevada to nature for over 20 years. Through outdoor education and cross-curricular programming, NOS’s youth programs integrate science, art, language arts, and physical education to support classroom learning, increase time spent outdoors, and instill a personal outdoor ethic.
NOS’s Nature in My World programming alone provides outdoor learning experiences for over 4,000 K-8th grade students annually across six rural Nevada counties: Humboldt, Elko, Lander, Pershing, Eureka and White Pine.
The NV Energy Foundation grant will support NOS’s AmeriCorps Outdoor Educators, who deliver impactful youth programs, training, and community engagement initiatives across Nevada’s rural counties.
AmeriCorps members receive living stipends and training in essential outdoor and job-related skills, including Leave No Trace, Tread Lightly, OHV Safety, and First Aid/CPR. Through school-based and community programs such as Nature in My World, Nature in the Park, and Nature Explorers, NOS AmeriCorps members help youth develop an understanding of nature, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and outdoor exploration.