MNA's Environmental Education Fund - Field Trip Mini-Grants

MNA's Environmental Education Fund - Field Trip Mini-Grants is sponsored by Michigan Nature Association. These grants are available to K-12 teachers to support fun, educational, and hands-on field trips to natural areas in Michigan, including MNA nature sanctuaries, local nature centers, and state parks. Funds can cover transportation, program fees, and supplies.

Michigan Nature Association Welsch Environmental Education Room MNA awards field trip grants each school year for fall (Sept - Jan) and spring (Feb - June) semesters. The application for the 2025-2026 school year opens on Friday, August 1st, 2025.

To be considered for a Fall 2025 grant, applications should be submitted by Friday, September 12th, 2025 To be considered for a Spring 2025 grant, applications should be submitted by Friday, November 14th, 2025 We expect to issue awards for Fall 2025 trips during the week of September 22nd, 2025. Spring 2026 awards will be announced early February, 2026.

MNA evaluates field trips based on the following five categories: Destination, Educational Objectives, Trip Objectives, Pre and Post-Activities, and Budget. See a more detailed explanation of each category below. We expect to fund 30 - 40 grants per year.

It is important to note that MNA prioritizes trips that are... Aligned with our ‘areas of conservation focus’, including vernal pools; native prairies and savannas; fens, bogs, and other peatlands; and rare birds For schools that have limited access to natural areas due to financial, geographic and socioeconomic factors.

MNA evaluates field trips based on the following categories and awards grants to applications that include… An MNA nature sanctuary or another specified natural area, such as a nearby community nature center, state park, or other conservation lands. If you are uncertain, MNA encourages teachers to reach out to MNA when selecting a field trip destination, explore the MiPines map.

MNA does not fund field trips to outdoor experiences like farms, zoos, or indoor nature themed experiences like the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center. Click here to view examples of eligible destinations based on past trips. Educational Objectives that are clearly identified and linked to state science standards.

Example: "My objectives are first and foremost to begin to cultivate an appreciation and protectiveness of nature. Students will also be able to improve the identification skills they are taught in the classroom to identify birds, spring ephemerals, trees, and other organisms. In addition, the activities support the Michigan Science Standard of Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems.

HS-Ls2-6 is to evaluate the claims, evidence, and reasoning that the complex interactions in ecosystems maintain relatively consistent numbers and types of organisms in stable conditions, but changing conditions may result in a new ecosystem. We discuss climate change and the effect this has on the fauna and flora in areas. Vernal pools are especially vulnerable to changing climate due to their temporary nature."

Trip activities that include prioritizing place-based ( or other 3-P learning) , and/or are centered around one of MNA’s areas of conservation focus (see above). Example: "We will study the fauna and flora of the park. There are numerous wetlands and vernal pools that will be monitored and data collected.

Students will collect data (organism identification, temperature, water chemistry, surroundings) for vernal pool monitoring, do a compare and contrast of different ecosystems, write/draw a journal entry after sitting alone and listening/looking for 15 minutes and participate in a group scavenger hunt." Continued classroom learning through integration in pre and post-classroom activities.

We encourage connection with place-based learning partners such as the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership, the Center for Great Lakes Learning, etc. Click here for more supporting resources.

Example: We do extensive identification practice and learn theoretical ecology concepts of nutrient cycles, food webs, interdependence, carrying capacity, etc. Post activities include sharing their field data and discussing any strange data points or discoveries. We will compare our findings to other vernal pools in the Michigan Vernal Pool Database and discuss why there would be similarities and differences.

A clear budget that details total field trip costs, clearly states what MNA grant funds will be used for, and includes brief justification. Program Fee: $7 for 28 students = $196 Materials: Dip nets ($50); Portable microscope ($75) = $125 Total trip: $496, MNA field trip grant will cover the entire cost of the trip. *If you have other funding sources, please include!