Libby Dam Visitor Center receives Field Trip Grant from the National Park Foundation
Open OutDoors for Kids program
February 13, 2016
Libby, MT - Libby Dam and its nonprofit partner the Corps Natural Resource Foundation are one of 186 federal sites selected to receive a 2016 field trip grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America's national parks. This year 4th graders from Libby, Eureka and Troy public schools will expand their usual field trip experience with pre and post-visit lessons from a park ranger, as well as an opportunity to earn a free national park pass. Their teachers won't have to worry about getting them to Libby Dam, as the grant covers transportation costs to get the 4th graders to the US Army Corps of Engineers park on Lake Koocanusa.
This grant, part of the Foundation's Open OutDoors for Kids program, supports the White House youth initiative Every Kid in a Park.
"It is inspiring to see the National Park Foundation and many other partners step up to support our goal of getting fourth graders and their families into parks, public lands and waters that belong to all Americans," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. "These generous grants will ensure children across the country have an opportunity to experience the great outdoors in their community while developing a lifelong connection to our nation's land, water and wildlife."
National Park Foundation grants have made it possible for more than 400,000 students (including this year's grantees) to visit national parks and other public lands and waters.
"We want to help people everywhere, from all backgrounds, discover how national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands and waters are relevant to their lives, and the best way to do that is to give people the opportunity to experience them first-hand," said Will Shafroth, president of the National Park Foundation. "Through our grants that provide funding for transportation and in-park learning, we are able to connect youth and their families to these special places and inspire people across the country to find their park which, in turn, can foster a lifelong connection to all that public lands and waters have to offer."
Students visiting Libby Dam this year will learn about the Corps of Engineers delicate, daily balancing act at Libby Dam between natural resource management, flood risk management, hydropower production and recreation. Science curriculum elements covered will include: Ecosystems and Changes, the Water Cycle and Hydropower production. Hands-on activities will be included with help from the Lincoln County Conservation District's stream trailer model and students will take home educational materials, including information on how to download a free paper park pass for each 4th grader.
"Our park has so much to offer beyond just a tour of the dam. This is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of what is here, expand what we already offer teachers and students in the way of educational field trips, as well as an opportunity to build partnerships between the Corps, the National Park Service, Lincoln County Conservation District, the schools and our students - the true future stewards of our public lands," said Susan James, US Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger at Libby Dam.
For the full list of grantees, and their projects, visit www.nationalparks.org/everykidinapark.
The Libby Dam Visitor Center opens Memorial Day weekend 2016.
Other Upcoming Events:
May 21, 2016: Kooky-noosa Challenge, Disc Golf tournament at Libby Dam.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION
The National Park Foundation is the official charity of America's national parks and nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Chartered by Congress in 1967, the National Park Foundation raises private funds to help PROTECT more than 84 million acres of national parks through critical conservation and preservation efforts, CONNECT all Americans with their incomparable natural landscapes, vibrant culture and rich history, and INSPIRE the next generation of park stewards. Find out more and become a part of the national park community at www.nationalparks.org.
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