Explore the Coast Outreach and Field Trip Interns

by Mary Deschene

Hundreds of low-income school children now have the opportunity to “Explore the Coast” of the Don Edwards Refuge by attending field trips enabled by the California State Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast program.

By funding interns to assist with refuge programs, we are providing environmental education for diverse audiences that open up a world of environmental appreciation and stewardship for future generations and their families.

The Conservancy’s Explore the Coast Grant program encourages all Californian’s to explore and experience our spectacular coast.

There is no minimum grant size but the maximum grant award is $50,000. If funding is available, the Conservancy will offer these grants every year. Since 2013, the Conservancy has awarded over $2.9 million to 109 projects.

Explore the Coast grants fund a wide range of programs that bring people to the coast, increase stewardship of coastal resources, and provide educational opportunities. The grant program prioritizes projects that achieve one or more of these objectives:
* Provide coastal experiences to lower-income or other underserved populations;
* Increase the number of people visiting the coast;
* Improve barrier-free access for persons with disabilities; and/or
* Provide a valuable recreational, environmental, cultural or historic learning experience;
* Increase stewardship of coastal resources; or
* Enhance the public’s coastal experience in a way that does not currently exist.