BAKER — The Great Basin National Park Foundation has secured $110,000 in funding from the National Park Foundation to expand its educational programs and increase the capacity of the nonprofit organization.
The grants will support the foundation's strategic growth and fund a new pilot educational program focused on engaging middle and high school students with the natural world.
GBNPF has been a key player in the park's educational outreach efforts for the past eight years, impacting over 1,000 students annually in Nevada and Utah.
This new funding will allow the foundation to enhance its existing programs and create deeper connections for students to the park's unique ecosystem.
“This grant will provide the resources necessary to further our work in bringing the wonders of Great Basin National Park into classrooms,” said GBNPF Executive Director Aviva O’Neil. “By incorporating experts into our programs, we help students not only learn but also see themselves as part of scientific discovery and conservation efforts.”
The new funding from NPF will allow GBNPF to expand its educational offerings, including the development of curricula focused on apex predators and threatened species within the Great Basin ecosystem. One ongoing study on Great Basin mountain lions, currently in its fifth year, will offer students real-time scientific data and a chance to engage with the research shaping conservation efforts in the region.
Since 2016, GBNPF has partnered with universities like the University of Nevada, Reno, and Southern Utah University to bring specialized knowledge into classrooms, covering topics such as astronomy, dark sky preservation, and scientific research.
With this additional funding, GBNPF aims to introduce new content that ties directly to ongoing ecological research, encouraging middle and high school students to explore the role of science in managing and preserving natural resources.
“The goal is to connect students with the real-world implications of the research being conducted in their own backyard,” said O’Neil. “This program will help them understand the importance of ecosystem management and how their actions can impact local wildlife and habitats.”
Teachers from Nevada and Utah are invited to apply to be part of the pilot program, which will connect students with park scientists, field experts, and ongoing research projects.
The initiative is designed to inspire a new generation of scientists and conservationists, helping them better understand the region's biodiversity and its preservation.
For more information or to express interest in the pilot program, middle and high school educators can contact GBNPF at greatbasineducation@gmail.com.