TBA (last known deadline was April 1, 2011)
Unfortunately, because of continuing uncertainty with federal budgets, the 2012 Nature of Learning program has been suspended. It may be reinstated in the future.
The Nature of Learning supports one of the six Fish and Wildlife Service’s priorities of connecting people with nature ensuring the future of conservation. The Nature of Learning also supports the FWS Manual Policy (605 FW 6) as an environmental education initiative that has the ability to promote awareness, appreciation and understanding of the role that the Refuge System plays in the conservation of wildlife. As a priority use, FWS encourages environmental education within refuge missions and purposes, supports site-specific environmental education, and uses on-site programs to focus on refuge issues and emphasize species of importance. Meeting the education objectives of the Refuge System is an important goal of The Nature of Learning, but it will take the collaboration that includes the community to achieve it.