Download a printable PDF of these guidelines.

The Council of Outdoor Learning, a project of the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, is happy to announce the availability of mini-grants ranging from $50 - $500, to support outdoor learning in Georgia.

Eligible Projects

Outdoor Learning Mini-Grants can be used to fund any of the following:

• materials or equipment to create or revitalize an outdoor learning space;  examples:  stabilized slate for trail surfaces, tools for trail maintenance, wildlife habitat improvements (e.g. planting species  to provide food or shelter for animals or adding a water source), outdoor learning stations, seating or work surfaces,  portable items such as rag rugs and clipboards , weather equipment
• supplies to conduct an outdoor learning activity;  examples:  backpack with laminated lesson plan and sufficient supplies for all the students in a classroom to conduct an outdoor investigation or learning activity; costumes for role-playing lesson
• equipment to improve classroom management outdoors;  examples:  soccer cones, flags, or rope to delineate student boundaries, wagons or backpacks for transporting field study supplies, rolling cooler for carrying drinks, whistle, first aid kit, etc. 
• costs to train teachers or volunteers in outdoor education;   workshop registration or cost of training, books and refreshments to host a workshop for Projects Wet, Wild, or Learning Tree; Monarchs Across Georgia,  or similar certification program

• landscaping, planting or beautification projects that are not primarily for outdoor learning
• materials that will primarily be used indoors
• memorials or monuments
• salaries or payments to teachers or grant applicants

Eligible Applicants

To apply, one must ...

• be a member of the Environmental Ed Alliance of Georgia through the current school year.  Visit our membership page to join.  (Anyone who attends the 10/21/11 Outdoor Learning Symposium is a member).

• be a teacher, school administrator, paraprofessional, volunteer, or team of people affiliated with a public or private non-profit school serving children at any grade levels from K-12, (Funds will be awarded to the school).
• complete the application form, obtain the support of the principal or director, and submit on time
• commit to match the value of the mini-grant in cash, in-kind contributions (donated materials), pro-bono services (donated by professionals) or sweat equity (volunteer time, valued at minimum wage)
• agree to provide a final project report detailing how funds were expended, specifying what was accomplished, and including photos of students engaged with the project

Timeframe

Applications must be submitted online by November 28, 2011.  

Grant award winners will be notified via email by February 3, 2012.  Funds must be obligated and work completed according to the approved project timeline.  A final report must be submitted no later than May 14, 2012.