This is a very special Grant proposal by the Forest ServiceRecreation folks to outreach to communities, non-profits, corporations,states to partner with them in developing a proposal to get kids back inthe woods. They are basing this grant program on Richard Louvs book"Last Child in the Woods- Saving our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder"If you or anyone you know are interested, please contact any NationalForest Service representative.This proposal call has a short deadline of March 16. The proposal needsto be developed in partnership with a National Forest Servicecontact/partner.

Growing evidence shows that todays children are gravitating away from outdoor experiences and towards a virtual indoor reality. This disconnect from nature has serious long-term implications for the health and well-being of our nations children and the future stewardship of our public lands, not to mention the very relevance of the Forest Service. Young people who grow up without a connection to nature may lack the knowledge, skills, abilities or inspiration to seek careers in natural resources and land management, an understanding of the dynamic environmental processes and the role human behavior plays in them, or awareness of the value of public lands.

The concept of "More Kids in the Woods" originated from a cross-deputy area team working to implement ideas voiced during the Forest Service Centennial in 2005. During the Centennial Congress, participants noted the value of conservation education and the power of recreation in forging connections to the land. They called on the Forest Service to enhance its youth programs in order to build a strong future generation of natural resource stewards and leaders.

I am certain that many projects are currently underway or are ready to launch that align with the goal of this initiative. I encourage you to use the enclosed template for developing your proposals and submitting them directly to Kristen Nelson, Interpretive Services Manager for Regional Foresters, Station Directors, Area Director, IITF Director, Deputy Chiefs, and WO Staff Recreation and Heritage Resources, Washington Office, kristennelson@fs.fed.us . If you have any questions about the content and selection criteria, please contact Kristen at 202-205-1406, or Drew Burnett, Assistant Director, Conservation Education Program, at 202-205-1781, drewburnett@fs.fed.us.

Enclosure

More Kids in the Woods

Competitive Application Process

Be concise: Proposals should NOT be more than FOUR pages. If this is an existing project you may enclose last year’s project report. You may insert images provided you do not go over SIX pages. Videos, PowerPoint presentations, CD’s or DVD’s should not be submitted.

Project Title:

Lead Organization:

Contact Information:

Project Location: Office/Station/Forest/District

Project Summary (250 words)

Be concise: Provide background information and a short summary of the project. Describe how the funds will be used: purchase/develop materials/supplies, training, salaries, travel, etc. Will funds and other contributions be used to initiate a new project or continue/enhance an existing one? Name other major partners (contributors, collaborators, tech support, etc.). Provide an estimate of the number of urban and/or underserved youth who will participate in the project during 2007. If you are submitting multiple proposals please indicate the priority of the particular project where 1 indicates high priority and 5 is low.

Project Justification

Explain why the project is important and how it meets the goal, objectives, and criteria of More Kids in the Woods. Identify the project audience and describe how the project will connect children to nature and what changes may result from the project. Include a statement that your line officer is aware of and supports the project.

Project Description

Identify the specific goals and objectives of your project, including alignment with the agency performance measures, objectives or agency strategic goals. Describe the major tasks that must be accomplished to meet project goals and objectives. Identify responsible personnel / organization for tasks, and time frame (you may use a time line).

Project Methodology

Describe the methodology to be used to complete project tasks. Include an explanation of how you will evaluate and monitor progress made toward project goals and objectives. Describe any plans that would allow the project to be replicated in other areas.

Project Budget

Include a table similar to the one below. There is no special authority for these challenge cost share funds. Please consult with your Grants and Agreements staff to ensure any concerns are addressed prior to submitting a proposal. If your project is selected then you need to ensure that the appropriate legal instrument is in place.

"Partner" means an entity that is contributing funds or services. Please note that proposals that are funded in part by the Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may

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receive additional points since they are contributors to the Recreation Issue Forums, and BLM and FS are cooperators in Service-First.

Line Item (examples below) Forest Service BLM or FWS Partner

Personnel

Travel

Materials and Supplies

Other, i.e. contractual

Agency Totals

Grand Total

PLEASE NOTE: The budget will be compared to the project goals, objectives, and tasks to determine if proposed expenditures are reasonable. Please provide clear linkages between the project description (goals, objectives, and tasks) and budget. Additional information will be requested if insufficient budget detail prevents an adequate analysis.

Project Evaluation and Sustainability

Describe how you will evaluate the impact of the project. Identify key indicators you will use to measure project impact. Describe how you plan to sustain the project into the future. Also, describe how you will share the project results.

Washington Office Selection Criteria: An essential element of More Kids in the Woods is the importance of working with partners and leveraging funds.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: (please see enclosed rubric–based on a 200 pt. scale)

50 points – ACTIVITIES AND CONTENT: Projects will provide an outdoor recreational experience that:

develops recreation skills that contribute to physical well-being,

emphasizes a solid educational component correlated to educational standards, which improve environmental literacy and include involvement in stewardship projects (e.g. communicating recreation user ethics, tree planting, stream restoration, wildlife monitoring, invasive species pulls) to develop stewardship ethics (project may use national service day, service learning or volunteer opportunities with a youth stewardship component).

(Note: Projects will provide more than tours, demonstrations or nature walks, and will consist of more than a single outdoor experience).

40 points (Total) – PARTNERSHIPS: Projects engage federal or non-federal partners (at least a 1:1 match is required with non-federal partners).

20 points - Projects that leverage Forest Service activities with Bureau of Land Management or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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20 points - Projects that leverage Forest Service activities with other non- federal partners.

40 points (Total) – AUDIENCE: Projects clearly identify strategies for reaching urban and underserved youth. Projects do not have to occur on National Forest System lands. For example, use of a local park or state lands may be appropriate depending on location and activities.

20 points – Projects reaching urban youth.

20 points – Projects reaching underserved populations.

40 points - EVALUATION: Projects will include an evaluation component, a strategy for sharing results, and discussion on how the projects can be applied to other Forest Service units.

10 points - SUSTAINABILITY: Proposals will discuss the means by which the project can be sustained in the future (i.e. interest and commitments by FS and partners are to continue project as priority work).

20 points (Total) – INNOVATIVE TECHIQUES OR PROVEN METHODS

10 points – Projects using new communication technologies to reach youth, such as MP3 players, cell phones, and internet blogs.

10 points- Projects applying new research findings that address this issue.

Weighted Criteria Scores