Field Trip Transportation Mini-Grants

Attention Teachers! 2023/2024 Transportation Mini-Grants Now Available!

The Elkhorn Slough Reserve Education staff are pleased to announce the annual Transportation Mini-Grants to support school field trips to the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. The grants will supplement the expenses of school bus rental to enable teachers to bring their eager students to experience the wonders of the Reserve. Applications are due October 6, 2023.

Each year the Elkhorn Slough Reserve hosts over 4,000 school students who come to explore the wetlands and oak woodlands, engage with nature, and discover the tiny life in a single drop of water.

We know many more class field trips would happen if there was funding for transportation. For that reason, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Transportation Fund was created. The Transportation Mini-Grants (ranging from $50 to $300) assist teachers to bring students on Reserve field trips by offsetting the expense of transportation.

Transportation Mini-Grant Application
This year we will be awarding mini-grants up to $300 per field trip to qualifying schools to assist with transportation expenses. Funds are limited. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

Applications are due by October 6, 2023. Notification of funding award, October 20, 2023.

We expect many requests for assistance therefore we have developed criteria for awarding the funding; points will be given in the following areas:
* Title One school
* Accredited K-12 educational institution
* Requesting teacher’s attendance in the Teachers on the Reserve* workshop, or intention to do so
* Applications received by October 6, 2023
* Demonstrated need

To submit a grant application, please complete the Transportation grant application below by the October 6, 2023 deadline.

Each school visit to the Reserve includes an orientation by a trained naturalist. Teachers who receive awards may request time in our state-of-the-art Microscope Learning Lab (4^th grade and up), use of field activity kits, staff-led Visitor Center or field activities, and a self-guided field walk.

This grant program helps us to meet a critical need in our community for field trip transportation funding. If you have any questions please contact Education Coordinator, Virginia Guhin at Virginia.Guhin@wildlife.ca.gov or 831.728.2822

*Teachers on the Reserve is not required to receive a grant; teachers who are enrolled in or completed the training will be given priority.