The Environmental Education Program provides support to organizations that offer outdoor environmental education experiences for youth. We focus funding on programs serving middle and high school-age students who live in Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson, Mason, and South King Counties.
662
Grants Total
$19.6M
In Support
FOCUS AREAS
Investing in Tomorrow
Inspire Leadership
We believe in learning by doing and seek to inspire youth through vibrant outdoor experiences, helping them become the environmental champions of tomorrow.
Experiential Learning
Providing youth with the tools to become educated stewards of their local ecosystem, we support the connection between environment, community and lifelong learning.
Educator Support
We support teacher learning, professional development, curriculum building and capacity so those educating our youth are equipped and empowered to grow the next generation of leaders.
As a land trust, we believe the best way to ensure the future protection and stewardship of ecologically valuable is to connect kids with nature. With the support of The Russell Family Foundation, Great Peninsula Conservancy has been able to get thousands of students who need nature the most outside and exploring their identities as conservation and science leaders!
Nathan Daniel, Great Peninsula Conservancy
Current Environmental Education Grantees
The Arboretum Foundation’s Inclusive Pathways for Environmental Leadership programs provide paid, six‑week environmental education and leadership experiences internships for high‑school students. Support covers youth stipends and expanded programming that deepens hands‑on ecological learning and career exploration, particularly for students from South King County.
Braided Seeds expands access to outdoor experiences for BIPOC youth and communities, fostering connection, healing, and belonging in nature. Its programs remove barriers to participation while building environmental stewardship and food sovereignty.
Community Works provides environmental education and workforce development programs that engage Jefferson County youth in maritime, conservation, construction, and farm‑based projects.
The Environmental Science Center promotes environmental stewardship through hands-on science education. Its programs build leadership skills and inspire youth to protect natural resources and pursue green careers.
Foss Waterway Seaport connects communities to maritime heritage through education and environmental learning. Its programs engage students in marine science and foster stewardship of Puget Sound.
GRuB works at the intersection of food, education, and health to grow healthy people and communities. Its youth programs provide leadership development, environmental education, and food justice experiences through hands-on farming.
Great Peninsula Conservancy protects natural habitats and open spaces while engaging communities in conservation. Their Land Labs program brings students into protected natural areas for hands‑on environmental science learning.
Harbor WildWatch delivers hands-on environmental education programs that inspire stewardship of the Salish Sea. Its STEM-based programs engage youth and communities in protecting local marine ecosystems.
Lakewold Gardens (Friends of Lakewold)
Lakewold Garden’s Deep Discovery program delivers place‑based outdoor learning for fifth‑grade students through guided exploration of gardens, watersheds, and ecosystems.
Mason Conservation District promotes sustainable use of natural resources through education and technical assistance. Their place‑based environmental education includes salmon studies, ecosystem investigations, and peer mentoring.
Nisqually Reach Nature Center advances environmental education and conservation through research and community science. Its programs connect diverse communities to the Nisqually Estuary through hands-on marine science field trips and summer camps.
Northwest Natural Resource Group
Northwest Natural Resource Group promotes sustainable forestry and ecological land management through education and technical support. Its programs train youth and educators while building pathways to environmental careers.
Northwest Youth Corps provides paid conservation and outdoor work opportunities for youth and young adults. Its programs build skills, leadership, and pathways to careers in environmental stewardship.
Pacific Education Institute equips educators and students with tools for real-world, outdoor science learning. Its programs connect youth to environmental stewardship and career pathways through hands-on experiences.
Puget Sound Estuarium provides hands-on environmental education focused on marine ecosystems and Puget Sound. Its programs engage students in STEM-based field experiences that promote stewardship and ecological understanding
Puget Soundkeeper Alliance protects and restores Puget Sound by addressing pollution and promoting environmental accountability. Its programs engage youth in stewardship, advocacy, and community science to improve water quality.
SEA Discovery Center (WWU Foundation)
The SEA Discovery Center engages youth in hands-on marine science education, helping students build connections to the Salish Sea and understand environmental and climate impacts. Through experiential field trips and partnerships, it prepares the next generation of environmental stewards.
Sea Potential increases youth representation in maritime spaces by connecting them to marine ecosystems through culturally relevant programming. Its work combines environmental education, career exposure, and community engagement.
Summer Search supports young people from low-income backgrounds through long-term mentorship and transformative learning experiences. Its programs combine outdoor experiences, leadership development, and sustained guidance to build resilience and opportunity.
Vashon Nature Center provides environmental education, research, and community science programs that connect people to local ecosystems. Its work develops youth as environmental leaders through hands-on learning across the Salish Sea region.
WaYa Outdoor Institute is a Native women-led organization connecting youth to nature through outdoor skills, environmental science, and Indigenous knowledge. Its programs build confidence, leadership, and access to outdoor education for underserved communities.
Washington Outdoor School Consortium
Washington Outdoor School Consortium strengthens and expands equitable access to multi‑day outdoor education statewide, including coalition‑building, policy work, and program coordination.
YMCA of Pierce & Kitsap Counties (Camp Seymour)
Camp Seymour provides scholarships for Outdoor Environmental Education programs serving grades 4–9. Its Outdoor Environmental Education program engages students in hands-on, nature-based learning to build environmental literacy and foster lifelong stewardship.
How to Apply
The foundation has three grantmaking programs. To learn more about each of our programs, please use the drop-down menu below.
The Environmental Education Program provides support to organizations that offer outdoor environmental education experiences for youth. We focus funding on programs serving middle and high school-age students who live in Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston, Jefferson, Mason, and South King Counties. You can learn more about our program here.
- South King County region contains Auburn, Burien, Covington, Des Moines, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Maple Valley, Normandy Park, Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, White Center/Boulevard Park, and Vashon Island.
The Environmental Education Program operates on an invitation-only basis for grant requests. We proactively identify and engage with potential recipients whose goals align with our mission, enabling us to maintain a focused and strategic approach to our philanthropic endeavors. By ensuring the effective utilization of our resources, we aim to make a meaningful impact. We appreciate your understanding and invite you to explore our website to learn more about our foundation and the projects we support. For additional assistance in locating prospective funders, we recommend visiting Candid, a non-profit organization offering useful tools.
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