Mini-Grant Recipients

CFPA engaged Thought Partner Solutions to deliver a racial equity workshop and coaching sessions for their Board and staff, fostering discussions on unconscious bias, diversity, and inclusion. This initiative aimed to strengthen CFPA’s statewide conservation efforts by promoting equity and inclusion within the organization and aligning with their strategic goals.

USJ established an accessible Sensory Nature Trail throughout woodland and grassland areas on campus that supports curriculum for both college students and special needs students at the Gengras Center.

Common Ground enhanced its Farm Tour and Soil field trips for 4th–8th grade students by developing a Composting education module, training educators, and creating a dedicated composting area. Despite COVID-related cancellations, staff engaged smaller groups, created a draft curriculum, added interactive elements like a compost tumbler, and designed educational signage, laying the groundwork for future impact.

This project provided 60 students in New London County who participate in Connecticut Audubon Society’s (CAS) virtual science  learning programs with hands-on science “tool kits” to enhance and support their distance learning experiences during at-home  schooling. This was an adaptation of the award-winning Science in Nature program to accommodate the pandemic and ensure consistency in learning for students.

All Our Kin’s Early Childhood Outdoor Education Workshop Series supported 50 family child care educators and 300 children by fostering a love of nature and outdoor exploration. Transitioning to virtual panels due to the pandemic, the series featured veteran educators sharing expertise, strengthening networks, and promoting high-quality outdoor education for children ages 0–5.

This project revitalized the Bear Path Elementary School Pollinator Garden by removing invasive species and planting native perennials. The project included a teaching guide aligned with NGSS, educational signage, and ongoing maintenance by HLCT, benefiting the environment and promoting environmental literacy among students and families.