Flagstaff, AZ. April 23, 2013 – Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the Flagstaff Area National Monuments- Sunset Crater Volcano, Walnut Canyon, and Wupatki are one of 34 recipients across the country selected to receive a 2013 America’s Best Idea grant from the National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks. Inspired by the critically acclaimed Ken Burns’ documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea”, the America’s Best Idea program funds park activities designed to connect diverse, underserved and under-engaged populations throughout the United States with their national parks in innovative and meaningful ways.
Through their partnership, Willow Bend Environmental Education Center and the Flagstaff Area National Monuments will bring environmental education into the classroom and children into our local National Monuments to provide an understanding of past and present sustainable practices. The project team will work with teachers to develop resources and training through the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program and will also include family learning activities. Teachers interested in learning more about participating in this project should contact Willow Bend Environmental Education Center at 928-779-1745.