Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund Awards Three Environmental Education Grants

Nelsonville, OH – The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio’s (FAO) Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund awarded 3 environmental education grants, totaling $3,760. Applications were received from K-12 educators and 501(c)(3) community organizations throughout Appalachian Ohio for projects encouraging and supporting creative, local environmental education and stewardship activities that build on the unique assets and strengths of the region’s individual communities.

“We’re thrilled to be able to award these grants”, said Jean Andrews, Chair of the Fund’s steering committee. “Ora loved sharing his joy of nature with young people; I can think of no better way for his legacy to live on than by inspiring a new generation of naturalists.”

Michelle Johnson of Cambridge Middle School’s $1,466 grant will bring the Wilds on Adventure Outreach Program to the school. This program will allow students to learn about animals and their habitats, and meet some of the animal ambassadors from The Wilds. Students will learn about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.

Christopher Sidote of Coolville Elementary’s $1,014 grant will bring his sixth grade class to visit The Wilds in Guernsey County to learn about the conservation efforts that have taken place there, including the history of the land itself and associated reclamation efforts.

Mary Yontz of Caldwell Elementary School’s $1,280 grant will allow first, second, fifth, and sixth grade students at the school to take an overnight trip to The Wilds. Students will document their trip using the school’s iPads, and will create educational videos to share with first and second grade classes to use as a resource in their lessons.

The Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund was created in 2007 to honor the legacy of naturalist Ora Anderson, and to provide a permanent source of charitable funding for conservation activities and programs in the areas of watershed restoration, sustainable forest practices, and promotion of the region’s cultural and environmental history. Funded projects provide opportunities for youth to participate in learning experiences tied to local natural resources. As part of their projects, students will also share what they learned with their communities.

Gifts to the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund are tax deductible and can be made in a number of ways, including cash, bequests, and life insurance. To mail your donation, please designate the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund and mail to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, PO Box 456, Nelsonville, OH 45764. Donations can also be made online by designating the Ora E. Anderson Conservation Fund when making a donation.