Ecology Project International

DESCRIPTION:THIS PROJECT PROVIDES FUNDING TO ECOLOGY PROJECT INTERNATIONAL (EPI) TO IMPLEMENT ITS PROJECT, WHICH WILL DESIGN, DEMONSTRATE, AND DISSEMINATE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PRACTICES, METHODS, AND TECHNIQUES, THAT WILL SERVE TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY AND ENCOURAGE BEHAVIOR THAT WILL BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT IN WYOMING AND MONTANA. THE GRANTEE WILL DO THIS BY ENGAGING UP TO 340 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS FROM IN OR NEAR THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM (GYE) IN 30 IMMERSIVE FIELD SCIENCE AND HABITAT RESTORATION PROGRAMS OVER TWO YEARS, WITH A FOCUS ON CLIMATE CHANGE'S EFFECTS ON THE HEALTH OF THE GYE. ACTIVITIES:THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN WYOMING AND MONTANA AND PROVIDE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBLE ACTIONS. ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED DURING THIS PROJECT PERIOD INCLUDE: -FOSTER COMMUNITY COLLABORATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP BY ENGAGING UP TO 340 STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS ADDRESSING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER QUALITY, AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, WITHIN THE 2-YEAR PERIOD. -INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL CAREER INTERESTS IN STUDENTS THROUGH EPI'S HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES IN WILDLIFE RESEARCH, WATER QUALITY TESTING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ACTIVITIES. -RESPECT AND INTEGRATE INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INTO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION BY COLLABORATING WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO INTEGRATE TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE INTO EPI PROGRAMS, ENHANCING THE AUTHENTICITY AND RELEVANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE 2-YEAR PERIOD.SUBRECIPIENT:EPI WILL PROVIDE SUBAWARDS TO ORGANIZATIONS, TRIBAL ENTITIES, SCHOOLS, OR ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ENGAGED IN CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION WORK WITHIN OR NEAR THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM (GYE) TO SUPPORT EPI'S GOALS OF ENHANCING ECOSYSTEM HEALTH, ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN UNDERSERVED RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, AND INTEGRATING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE INTO LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION.OUTCOMES:IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THIS PROJECT WILL RESULT IN THE FOLLOWING DELIVERABLES: - 30 FIVE-DAY, IMMERSIVE EPI YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE AND WINTER ECOLOGY COURSES - 340 LOCAL STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS REACHED - OVER 3,000 HOURS OF DATA COLLECTION AND HABITAT RESTORATION FOR YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, THE CUSTER-GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST, AND PRIVATE LANDS IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM EXPECTED OUTCOMES OF THE PROJECT INCLUDE: - INCREASED ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP WITHIN THE UNDERSERVED RURAL AND INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES - IMPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND MANAGEMENT OF ECOSYSTEM HEALTH IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE ECOSYSTEM-INCLUDING MANAGEMENT OF CRITICAL SPECIES LIKE THE BISON, WESTERN TOAD, AND GRIZZLY BEAR. - HIGHER QUALITY CANDIDATES FOR NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT JOBS IN THE REGION. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE COMMUNITIES. THE PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR HANDS-ON ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THROUGH ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT OF LOCAL YOUTH IN RESEARCH, HABITAT RESTORATION, AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH INTERNSHIPS, THE PROGRAM ENHANCES THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND CULTIVATES A HEIGHTENED SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AMONG STUDENTS.

TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL STEAM EXPERIENCES TO YOUTH FROM LIMON AND LOS SANTOS FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, SO THEY LEAD THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER GLOBAL AND LOCAL CHALLENGES.

EPI'S YELLOWSTONE WILDLIFE ECOLOGY PROGRAM FULFILLS THREE GOALS TO ADDRESS THESE NEEDS: 1. GOAL 1 AID SCIENTISTS BY CONTRIBUTING TO CONSERVATION P

TO WORK WITH UP TO 60 YOUTH FROM UNDERSERVED AND RURAL CARIBBEAN AREAS (POCOCI, GUACIMO AND TALAMANCA) IN A STEAM-IMMERSIVE PROGRAM IN 2024-2025.

TO EMPOWER GIRLS (14-19) IN LIMON AND LOS SANTOS TO PURSUE STEAM CAREERS AND DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC SKILLS.