Gifts to the Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA) Fund will provide stipends & supplies to underserved high school students so that they can participate in the NRCA’s Conservation Ambassador Program (CAP), a 10-month service-learning environmental conservation program. This includes a one-week action-packed, hands-on field experience at UConn, followed by an individual community project that is tailored to the student’s interests and local community needs. Each teen will receive 10-months of comprehensive mentorship and guidance.
What We Do & Our Vision
The NRCA engages diverse teen and adult participants in natural resources conservation through place-based, experiential outdoor education, and facilitates community action through collaborative partnerships that contribute to local environmental solutions. You can learn more about our programming at https://nrca.uconn.edu/.
The NRCA vision encompasses:
-
A statewide, vibrant, and robust network of multi-sector partners that brings together scientific, educational, and community expertise and resources to support local-level natural resource initiatives;
-
Communities across Connecticut equipped with knowledge and skills to address environmental issues, empowering them to improve and protect local natural resources; and
-
Individuals, both independently and collectively, recognizing systems of oppression, confronting them, and striving to promote and uphold educational justice, environmental justice, and racial equity. (See how we are starting to address racial equity and inclusion within our programs at https://blog.nrca.uconn.edu/2020/11/04/nrca-black-lives-matter-statement/)
One way we are addressing racial equity and inclusion within our programs is by providing stipends, supplies, and resources to underserved students so that they are able to participate in NRCA programs.
Our Impact
Since 2012, the NRCA has worked with:
Resulting in over 260 teen-led community conservation projects! See the map below to see where participant projects have occurred and examples of types of projects. NRCA participant projects have contributed to significant and positive environmental impacts, development of community assets, and gain in social capital among community members. Here are examples of benefits from 167 NRCA projects:
- 2,720 additional community volunteers engaged
- 233 unique teen-adult community partnerships formed
- 185 unique properties assessed, 21 of which were restored
- 18 projects contributed to long-term science programs
- 24 projects made meaningful scientific contributions
- 49 educational & community service events
- 27 participant-developed programs or proposed management plans
- 115 physical structures or other resources created
We Need Your Support
We need your help to provide stipends and supplies for underserved high school students so that they can participate in the NRCA’s Conservation Ambassador Program (CAP), a 10-month service-learning environmental conservation program. Here’s how your donation will impact NRCA high school participants:
- $500 Stipend Per Student-In-Need (6-12 students);
- $45 CAP Kit Per Student (e.g., a kit with Rite in the Rain notebooks, flash drives, at-home water testing kits, and other field supplies) (24 kits needed);
- $65 Team Bonding Activity Fee Per Student (24 Adventure Park Passes); and
- $300 Bus for Team Bonding Activity (2 buses needed).
Thank you for your support!
