This page provides information on grant funding opportunities for stewardship initiatives and school recognition programs that promote conservation-focused projects. It also features certification programs designed for teachers and educators.
Grants are provided to enhance teacher development through professional training; and to promote community engagement through activities like field trips and volunteer programs. K–12 public schools and nonprofit private schools. Up to $3K to $50K.
Young people, educators, individuals, and group leaders based in the U.S. are invited to apply for a $250 Roots & Shoots Project Grant to plan, start, support, or celebrate a community-action project that helps people, animals or the environment we all share!
The Ocean Odyssey Grants are investments in projects and partners that are leading efforts to increase inclusion in and/or access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education and workforce development opportunities for diverse youth in middle school, high school, undergraduate, and/or community college to learn about ocean science and/or exploration. Available for schools, districts and institutions of higher education. Grants are between $5K to $10K.
Teacher scholarships and classroom grants are competitive awards available to all educators.Up to $500 for professional development or classroom materials.
Learning and Leadership Grants are available to individual educators or groups of educators who are pursuing high-quality professional learning experiences that will enhance their classroom teaching, leadership skills, or professional partnerships.
Fund for Teachers supports educators’ efforts to develop skills, knowledge, and confidence that impact student achievement. By trusting teachers to design unique fellowships, Fund for Teachers grants validate teachers’ professionalism and leadership. Up to $5K per teacher.
Five core courses required for the master’s degrees in humane education, the Graduate Certificate program helps students develop expertise in the foundations of humane education and learn to educate effectively on behalf of people, animals, and the environment.
An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to the protection and conservation of its local watersheds, the world’s ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. The school makes this commitment by proposing and then implementing a school- or community-based conservation project.
Instructor-led courses have a set beginning and end date. During a lesson students can log in anytime to attend the class lecture and complete readings.
Creating habitat in outdoor experiential learning spaces for youth provides a multitude of benefits to students of all ages. The National Wildlife Federation has a menu of options to engage educators and students alike in creating habitat, becoming environmental leaders, and supporting the next generation in saving our planet.
Recognizes schools and districts making demonstrated progress towards:
he NOAA Ocean Guardian Youth Ambassador program provides a new level of engagement for youth aged 13-18 committed to ocean conservation and stewardship of our blue planet. We are looking for enthusiastic youth with new ideas and a unique perspective who want to learn more about America’s underwater treasures and share their passion with others. Together we will use enhanced ocean and climate literacy to make a difference in the conservation of the ocean through marine protected areas.
A community garden is a wonderful way to bring people together while growing fresh, healthy food. Kids can ask their school, local library, or community center if there’s space to start a garden, then invite neighbors and classmates to help plant, water, and harvest vegetables or flowers. Some gardens even donate their extra produce to food banks or share it with neighbors who need it. It’s a hands-on way to learn about nature, teamwork, and taking care of your community’s shared spaces.
Wildlife centers take care of injured or orphaned animals, and they always need extra support to keep helping. Kids can host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or online fundraiser, or organize a “walk-a-thon” with friends and family to raise money for a wildlife rescue near them. You could also collect donated supplies the center needs, like towels, blankets, or pet food. Even a small donation can help feed, shelter, or heal an animal in need.
Recycling projects let kids turn everyday trash into something useful — or at least keep it out of landfills! You could start a recycling bin program at your school, organize a can and bottle drive to raise money for charity, or get creative and turn old materials into art, planters, or bird feeders. You might even research your town’s recycling rules and make a poster or flyer to help neighbors recycle correctly. Small habits, like rinsing containers or separating paper from plastic, add up to a big impact when a whole community joins in.
Setting up a booth at your local farmers market is a great way to get your whole neighborhood excited about helping the planet. You could raise money for a cause you care about — like a wildlife shelter, a tree-planting group, or a beach cleanup fund — by selling homemade crafts, lemonade, or baked goods. You could also use your booth to teach people about recycling, showing them fun facts or simple tips for sorting their trash the right way. It’s a great way to practice public speaking, teamwork, and making a real difference in your community.
Every year on the third Saturday of September, people around the world celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and you can sign up with local groups in your community to join thousands of other volunteers picking up trash along the shore. But you don’t have to wait for that one day — cleanups can happen any time! Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends, and organize your own cleanup day at a nearby river, stream, lake, or beach. It’s a fun way to hang out with friends while protecting fish, turtles, and birds from plastic and litter. Nationalcleanupday.
Planting trees is one of the easiest ways kids can help fight climate change and give animals a home. You can join organizations like SAFE Worldwide, One Tree Planted, or the Arbor Day Foundation, which often have kid-friendly volunteer days and even let you sponsor a tree from home. Or, team up with your family, neighbors, or scout troop to start your own mini tree-planting project in a local park, schoolyard, or empty lot (just ask permission first!). Every tree you plant helps clean the air, cool the planet, and grow into a home for birds and squirrels for years to come.
