Education

Supporting environmental education in Wisconsin since 1986

Connecting people to nature through education

Many people feel a strong connection to the outdoors because someone—a teacher, family member, or friend—brought them outside and introduced them to the beauty of the natural world. Having that personal connection to nature is important for the health and well-being of people, communities, and our natural resources.

At the Natural Resources Foundation, we are committed to connecting people to nature, by investing in education programs that have a significant impact and provide meaningful experiences for children and adults to connect to Wisconsin’s great outdoors.

Dollars to education

Children learning outdoors

Education grants funded

Donate

Help us strengthen environmental education in Wisconsin.

Donate Now

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a U.S. non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN: 39-1572034). Donations are tax-deductible as allowable by law.

Our education strategy

Grantmaking

We offer critical funding opportunities to educators, schools, nature centers, and other education partners for efforts that engage youth and adults in hands-on, meaningful environmental education.

Exploration

Provide a direct connection to Wisconsin’s natural resources through our Field Trip program. We also offer international trips that bring Wisconsinites closer to conservation efforts around the world.

Engagement

We seek to engage the public in conservation efforts by supporting citizen-based monitoring, citizen-supported restoration projects, and other volunteer opportunities around the state.

Environmental Education Collaborative

NRF facilitates a statewide collaborative which builds environmental education capacity in Wisconsin and helps bring it to a larger scale. We share information and resources and work together to promote the widespread adoption of environmental education across the state. The collaborative consists of Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Diversity in Conservation Internship Program

NRF’s DICI Program provides meaningful experiences for undergraduates interested in careers in natural resource conservation. The program encourages applicants from underrepresented groups or disadvantaged backgrounds, and previous conservation or environmental science background or education is not required to apply.

Learn more