Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation
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Our Mission Statement
Our Programs
Welcome to the TO APPLY FOR A GRANT Our mission is to support educators in developing environmental curricula that integrate field activities and classroom teaching and that incorporate basic ecological principles and problem solving. Read Our 2005 Newsletter! PDF The Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation was founded in April 1996 to continue the work of Melinda Gray Ardia. Melinda Ardia, a middle school science teacher in Newark, NY and a biologist and environmental activist, died in an automobile accident in January 1996. Melinda's dedication, creativity and enthusiasm inspired her family and colleagues to create the Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation to continue her work. How the Foundation Works: We are a Private Operating Foundation, run by a Board of Directors made up of family members and environmental professionals that set both financial and program policy. We have taken a conservative strategy on both fronts. Financially, we have tried to grow our endowment (currently about $75,000) so that we can continue to impact environmental education for longer than any of our lifetimes. Our disbursements to programs have been made from interest and income generated from our investments and the sale of note cards and t-shirts. Programmatically, we have tried to grow slowly so that we make each decision thoughtfully with Melinda's ideals and the ability to make a difference in mind. Through this conservative strategy we have ensured that your donations build our endowment and will provide lasting impacts beyond the face value of your gift.
To facilitate learning and student empowerment, environmental curricula should be holistic and strive to synthesize multiple levels of learning (facts, concepts, principles), often including experiential integrated learning and problem solving. We believe the strongest curricula are founded on basic scientific principles, including hypothesis testing and experimental design. A solid foundation of ecology promotes thoughtful and appropriate analysis and understanding of the natural world. Controversial issues should be presented objectively stressing the development of individual student opinions. In summary, the Foundation supports curricula that empower and encourage students to become involved in solving environmental and social problems as informed decision makers through the emphasis and application of basic ecological principles. The Foundation seeks to facilitate the development and implementation of holistic environmental curricula that incorporate basic ecological principles and field environmental activities within a primary or secondary school setting. Accordingly, the Foundation is interested in contributing to the development, implementation and/or field testing of curricula that are consistent with the mission of the Foundation. For more information about the foundation, and to learn how to apply for a grant. Practice resurrection.. Wendell Berry | |||
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