MARSHALL — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is inviting schools and non-profit organizations to apply for funding through its No Child Left Inside program, which supports projects that help kids spend more time outdoors. Launched in 2019, the program expands access to nature-based learning and recreation.
“The No child left inside Grant program is designed to support programming and activities that provide students and youth in Minnesota with a direct exposure to nature and learning in the natural world,” said Grant Program Coordinator Amber Kastner.
Kastner said funding can support a wide range of activities. “Grants can be used for outdoor recreational activities that happen in natural spaces. They can also be used for natural resources or environmental education programming that also occurs in the outdoors.”
She added that many applicants focus on winter activities. “It is really important to be able to provide additional opportunities to get out and experience Minnesota, so we do get quite a few applications for projects that might include snowshoeing or ice fishing activities, and all of those sorts of pursuits that can really be enjoyed in those very cold winter months.”
The DNR is accepting applications for mini grants of less than $5,000 and larger grants up to $25,000. Proposal details and application materials are available on the DNR website.
