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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/04/1999, C4 - APPLICATION TO STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT council j awnaa uEpoRtm� C4 CITYOF SAN LUIS OBISPO FROM: �Faul LeSage, Parks& Recreation Director Prepared By: Betsy DeJamette,Recreation Supervisor SUBJECT: APPLICATION TO STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR ENVIROMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT CAO RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution granting approval for the City of San Luis Obispo to submit an environmental education grant application to the State Department of Education, Office of Environmental Education. DISCUSSION Back�ound The Parks and Recreation Department operates the Sun `N Fun and S.T.A.R. Before and After School Child Care Program at five elementary schools throughout the City. Activities for the program consist primarily of arts and crafts, competitive and non-competitive games, sports, snack, homework assistance,transitions and circle time. In two recent surveys, one conducted by the Children's Services Section of the Parks and Recreation Department and the other by the SLO Local Child Care Planning Council, parents indicated that they would like to see expanded after-school enrichment programs. Programs identified as enrichment go beyond the traditional realm of child care and provide opportunities for exposure to areas such as music, dance, theatre, and computers. Over the past two years, Federal and State funding supported this direction by providing grants to local agencies specifically to develop after-school programs which place an emphasis on enrichment activities. In response to recent trends and demands in child care programming, this past spring the Children's Services Section of the Parks and Recreation Department incorporated an environmental education curriculum into the Sun `N Fun program. Using the expertise of the Department's Park Ranger Service, an 18-week environmental education program was developed and implemented at five of the seven child care sites. The program has been warmly received by the children. Comments from the parents are equally as favorable. Although deemed successful,the program evolved on a limited budget and has been restricted by the lack of supplies, equipment and materials needed to effectively extend the program curriculum to the 600+ children in the program. With this in mind, staff researched opportunities to enhance the environmental education curriculum without impacting current C4-1 Council Agenda Report—Application to State Department of Education for Environmental Education Grant Page 2 funding levels and identified the Environmental Education Grant Program through the Department of Education, Office of Environmental Education. The Environmental Education Grant Program is a competitive matching grant program which offers among other categories, an implementation grant of up to $10,000 to expand an existing program which uses pre-existing high quality, exemplary environmental education curriculum material. The proposed application will incorporate the highly acclaimed Project WILD, Project Aquatic WILD, Project Learning Tree, Arthur Carhart's The Wilderness & Land Ethic Curriculum and Joseph Cornell's Sharing Nature with Children and will be staffed by a Department Park Ranger certified in these curricula. Matching funds are identified in the form of in-kind contributions, including: • free guest lecture series by local environmental experts • donation of pots and planting materials from local nurseries • wages of the Ranger organizing and implementing the program • salary of Recreation Supervisor and Professional Assistant to coordinate the program It is anticipated that if approval to submit the grant application is received, approximately $5,000 will be requested. Funds will support the purchase of mini greenhouses, magnifying glasses, bug jars and nets, compost and recycling bins, wooden boxes for bug collections, mini field trips and associated supplies and equipment. If funded,the grant would be available for use during the spring semester of FY 1999-00. CONCURRENCES This action is consistent with the following goals of the Parks and Recreation Element/Master Plan that states: Goal 1.40.9 - Parks and Recreation facilities and activities should be developed whenever possible as collaborative efforts with school districts, colleges, private entities and non-profit organizations. Goal 3.22.5 - Policy - The Parks and Recreation Department will be responsive to the changing need for services. Goal 4.20.4- Policy - The Parks and Recreation Department shall strive to develop corporate sponsorship, adopt-a-park, or activity support, as alternatives to general fund monies. C4-2 Council Agenda Report—Application to State Department of Education for Environmental Education Grant Page 3 FISCAL IMPACT There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the grant. Financial support comes from in-kind contributions including the use of existing staff. These in-kind donations will be used to match requested grant funding. ALTERNATIVES Deny approval to apply for grant funds. Children's Services and Park Ranger Service will continue to provide the environmental education program with the existing, limited supplies and materials which may result in a restriction of the number of children participating in the program. ATTACHMENTS Resolution G:\CAO\CAO environmental ed grant 499 C4-3 RESOLUTION NO. (1999 Series) A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AUTHORIZING THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT AN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANT APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION WHEREAS, parents of children in the City's Before and After School Child Care program have indicated they would like to have expanded after school enrichment programs; and WHEREAS, the State of California, Department of Education has made funds available for enrichment activities through the Environmental Education Grant program; and WHEREAS, the City's children and families would benefit from the activities of the grant. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. That the City Council hereby grants approval for the City of San Luis Obispo Parks and Recreation Department to submit a grant application to the State Department of Education for funding through the Environmental Education Grant Program. Upon motion of , seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of ' 1999. C4-4 Resolution No. (1999 series) ' Mayor Allen Settle ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: U. ffu G. rge n, Attorney C4-5