“As volunteers, we have seen first-hand the incredible effects on the many students who experience Visiting Naturalist in the Schools. This program’s classroom lessons and field trips literally change lives. Please join us and support MNHC’s efforts to spread our impact.”
– Ed Monnig, MNHC Board Member and Retired Ecologist, US Forest Service
Your #GivingTuesday gift makes a real difference for a child and for nature! Every school year, the VNS program brings 1,700 western Montana elementary students to wild places. They learn about plants and animals, they observe nature and they experience the magnificence of our incredible ecosystems.
We invest time in our students and classroom teachers: 32,300 hours annually. We visit their classrooms each month throughout the school year and take students on multiple field trips. This investment pays off in understanding, relationships, and students’ thankfulness and curiosity for nature. It’s a huge investment, and it’s worth it for the next generation of naturalists who will carry on the work of stewarding and caring for our precious nature–which makes Montana so special.
Generous donations from individuals, foundations and corporations support 90% of the VNS program. Schools are asked to pay the remaining cost of $250 per classroom; approximately $10 per student. However, due to lack of funds, many local schools need your support in order to offer this program to their students.
Our #GivingTuesday goal is to raise $5,000 in order to provide 20 full classroom scholarships.
How many students will you connect to science and nature-based education this #GivingTuesday?
- Your $250 gift extends a full classroom scholarship to a school in need.
- Your $100 gift provides ten students with two full-day, outdoor field trips.Â
- Your $50 gift enables 5 students to explore their curiosity in nature.
- Your $10 gift gives one student 17 hours of contact time with a naturalist mentor.Â
