A short presentation to discuss the funding opportunities available to educators from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

1. 2015 AZGFD Heritage Grants
for Education Info Session

2. About the AZGFD
• Arizona Game and Fish Department
• State government agency
responsible for managing all of the
state’s wildlife species
• Receive no general tax dollars
• www.azgfd.gov

3. About the presenter
• Eric Proctor
• Wildlife Education Coordinator
• Former middle school science
teacher
• Responsible for teacher PD and
curriculum development
• eproctor@azgfd.gov
• www.azgfd.gov/focuswild

4. About the Heritage Fund
• Ballot initiative passed by voters in
1990
• 2:1 ratio (more than 60% of the vote)
• Up to $10 million for AZ lottery
revenue goes to AZGFD
• Crucial for funding wildlife
conservation efforts including
wolves, ferrets, eagles and condors
• www.azgfd.gov/heritage

5. About the Heritage Grants
• Started in 1992 as part of the Heritage Fund
• Nearly 700 projects totaling more than $13
million
• About $400,000 available in 2015
• Open to PUBLIC entities, private/non-profit
need sponsor
• Applications due 5pm on 9/30/14
• Six categories:
– Public access
– Urban Wildlife
– IIAPM
– Environmental Education
– Outdoor Education
– Schoolyard Habitats

6. Environmental Education
• Total: $16,000; Grants from $500-$10,000
• Option 1: Educator Professional Development
Partnerships
– Off-set costs associated with AZGFD-sponsored PD
– Continued and sustained, rather than one-time
workshops
– Should work with AZGFD staff
• Option 2: North American Model of Wildlife
Conservation Education and Outreach
– Develop and implement education/outreach
related to NAM
• Option 3: Developing Natural Resource
Stewards
– Multi-organization partnerships projects
– Use outdoor recreation to develop
appreciation/stewardship of natural resources

7. Outdoor Education
• Total: $16,000; Grants from $500-$2,500
• Costs associated with wildlife-related field trips inc.
transportation, sub fees, materials. No entrance fees.
• Option 1: Outdoor, Nature-based Field Experience
– Explore habitats and wildlife at one or more outdoor
settings
– Teacher created, rather than established program
– Standards-based, inquiry-oriented, hands-on
– Pre/post activities
• Option 2: Youth Day at the Outdoor Expo
– Visit AZGFD Outdoor Expo Youth Day, Friday, March 27,
2015
• Option 3: Outdoor Programs at Hirsch Conservation
Education Area
– Participate in hands-on program in north Phoenix
– Choose at least 3 potential dates
– Digital photography, geocaching, sport fishing, wildlife
tracking, or watchable wildlife

8. Schoolyard Habitats
• Total: $37,500; Grants from $500-$10,000
• Costs associated with wildlife-related habitats that
accomodates wildlife education. Not vegetable gardens,
greenhouses, etc.
• Option 1: Development of New Wildlife Habitats on School
Sites
– On schoolgrounds or immediately adjacent
– Encourage native urban wildlife increase
awareness/appreciation of wildlife and habitats
– Use native plants
– Space that encourages outdoor exploration and learning
– Standards-based instructional materials
– Student involvement in all phases
• Option 2: Enhancement or Restoration of Heritage Funded
Schoolyard Habitat
– Must be an existing Heritage funded habitat
– Improvements could include viewing blinds, feeders, nest
boxes, tortoise enclosure, water sources, interpretive signs,
non-native plant removal, low water use irrigation