U.S.

Fish & Wildlife Service: Pacific Southwest Region

SCHOOLYARD HABITAT FUNDING &

RESOURCES GUIDE
Region 8 is now accepting internal project proposals for the Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service)
Schoolyard Habitat Program. Any school or organization that serves K-12 students is eligible for
funding. The school must be working cooperatively with the Service to be eligible for
consideration. All project proposals must be generated from a Service office (vs. a third party).
Proposals should be reviewed by either a Partners for Fish and Wildlife or Coastal Program
biologist for quality assurance on the restoration design prior to submitting it for funding.

Examples of project proposals that will be considered include (but are not limited to):

• Habitat Restoration: habitat restoration projects on school grounds for

use as living laboratories and a natural environment for plants and animals;

• Outreach and Education: training classroom teachers to develop,

implement and maintain conservation projects at schools; and collaborative schoolyard
habitat conservation planning and training in cooperation with community-based groups.

Projects must contain the cover sheet (Appendix A), all the elements listed in the Final Plan
Checklist (Appendix B and/or C), and must address each of the priority criteria (Appendix D)
and any other necessary attachments or supporting documents to be considered for funding.
Appendix E provides general guidance on creating a Schoolyard Habitat project. Offices may
request up to $8,000 per project*. Please submit your request addressing each of the elements to:

Carolyn Kolstad
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Regional Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator
2800 Cottage Way Rm 2606, Sacramento, CA 95825
Carolyn_kolstad@fws.gov

Process for funding approval: Once proposals are received and approved, the Regional
Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator will assign the project a unique I.D. and will forward bank
payment forms and information to the project coordinator in the field office. Completed
paperwork will be returned to the Regional Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator for processing.
Projects involving habitat restoration are required to be protected for 10 years under a landowner
agreement (Appendix I). A signed electronic version of the landowner agreement must be sent to
the Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator after the project has been approved. Most agreements can
be signed at the principal level. Please allow 60 days for processing.
Date: Project I.D.:_____________________
(Assigned by Schoolyard Habitat
Coordinator)
Office:
Office Organization Code:

FWS Project Coordinator(s):

Project Type (circle one): Outreach and Education/Teacher Training Habitat Restoration*

School Name:

Grade levels attending School:

Number of students:

Location of school (address, county, state):

Congressional District:

FWS Funds Requested:

External Partners Cash Contribution:
External Partner In-kind Contribution:

Size of Project:

Species Benefitting:

Partners and Cooperators:

*Optional Reviewer Signature:_______________________________________________

(i.e., Partners for Fish and Wildlife or Coastal Program Biologist)

Elements of a final Schoolyard Habitat Project plan (plans should not exceed 5 pages,
excluding supporting materials):

• Description of the school’s overall whole-site vision & goals

This is your site master plan/schoolyard summary. Describe other outdoor spaces and
what they are used for, i.e., playground, vegetable gardens, tennis courts, natural areas,
amphitheaters. It should include allowances for any known school expansions or other
plans. Is the proposed Schoolyard Habitat project part of a larger phased project?

• Detailed plan for a project, including (but not limited to):

 The detailed plan is made up of a project narrative which describes what the project is,
states the purpose of the project, and clearly identifies the benefits to fish and/or wildlife
and their habitats. It must address each of the priority criteria addressed in Appendix D.
It must also include the following information:
• Timeline for implementation*
• General description of any dirt work and/or irrigation plans
• Species list for suggested plants
• Potential benefits to fish and/or wildlife
• Map/aerial image identifying the school and project location
• Teacher/ student maintenance and monitoring plan (general description of
how project will be taken care of including who will do the work and how often, i.e. trash
pick up 1x/ week, watering, invasive species control etc)
• List of potential team members within the school*
• List of potential partner organizations outside of the school
• Budget*
• Description of possible uses
• Formal education connections
• Informal community interaction

*See appendices F, G & H for examples.

Elements of a final Schoolyard Habitat Outreach and Education project plan (plans should
not exceed 5 pages, excluding supporting materials):

• Detailed plan for public outreach and education project, including

(but not limited to):

The detailed plan is made up of a project narrative which describes the audience whose
education will benefit from the project, how learning will be achieved, and anticipated
outcomes. It must include the following information:

• Defined audience (Who is the target audience for the project - Grade level
teachers, subject learners?)

• Targeted attendance (How many people will attend? List number of

 teachers, schools, organizations, partners)

• Workshop objectives

• Draft agenda, identifying potential speakers and topics

• Length of workshop (#hours or days)

• Expected outcomes

• Participant pre/post evaluation*

• Budget

*See appendix H for an example pre evaluation

Schoolyard Habitat Priority Criteria

PRIORITY HABITATS IMPROVED

Priority will go to schools that create a variety of habitats and maximize the availability of space.
Sites should provide food, water, and shelter for wildlife.

USE OF NATIVE PLANT SPECIES

Priority will go to schools that maximize the use of native plants.

WATER FOR ESTABLISHING PLANTINGS

Priority will go to schools that can identify a reliable source of water for establishing/maintaining
plants, i.e. hoses, sprinklers, irrigation.

TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL USE

Priority will go to schools that integrate the project site for use with their curriculum before,
during, and after it’s installed and thereafter throughout the calendar year.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Priority will be given to schools that demonstrate community support. Additional priority will be
given to under-served schools.

STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
Priority will be given to schools that include students in all aspects of the project planning,
implementation, and use.

MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE

Priority will be given to schools that have prepared written year-round monitoring and
maintenance plans with accessibility to the project site.

Service Matching Funds

Priority will be given to schools that demonstrate financial and in-kind contributions from
partners.

Technical Assistance
Priority will be given to schools that are working with a Service employee as the lead
coordinator of the project.

Training workshops
Priority will be given to schools that participate in teacher professional development to learn
skills teaching in the outdoors. Additional priority will go to schools that participate in a Service-
supported workshop.

Ineligible Activities

The Schoolyard Habitat Program does not fund the following:

• Budget items that are considered secondary to the project's central

objective.  Examples include: cash prizes, cameras and video equipment, microscopes,
binoculars, pamphlets, curriculum guides, and food.

• Gardens unrelated to conservation education such as landscape

beautification and vegetable gardens.

• Field trips unrelated to a Schoolyard Habitat Project. Field trip funding

must be accompanied by a Schoolyard Habitat Project proposal and will be limited to
50% of the actual cost of the field trip.

• Endowments, deficit financing, individuals (salaries), building campaigns,

 annual giving, research, or fund raising.

• Indirect costs associated with receiving funds for administration fees.

• Public outreach events, fairs, and festivals.

• Mitigation or capital construction activities such as electrical lighting,

school building renovations, or general campus repair.

• Political lobbying.

• Reimbursement for a project that has been completed or materials that

have already been purchased.

• Projects and programs located outside of the Pacific Southwest Regional

boundaries (Regional boundaries include all of California and Nevada and the Klamath
Basin of Oregon.).

• Funding is generally restricted to projects on public and private school

property, private community-owned land, tribal lands, conservation easements, and
Service properties such as National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish Hatcheries.
Other lands not falling under these categories would require special permission from the
Regional SYH Coordinator.
The Service evaluates each proposal on a case by case basis. The Service reserves the right to
fund projects and budget items that advance its mission and broader priorities.

• Using an assessment activity, tour the schoolyard to identify areas where

projects can be done.

• Decide on the type of habitat project you want:

• Be realistic in choosing the number, size & type of projects. Remember:
teachers and students are responsible for its upkeep;
• Discuss potential projects with maintenance staff and administration. The
goal of schoolyard habitat projects is to restore habitat and address schoolyard problems,
NOT add work for maintenance staff or create an unsustainable habitat that will become
an eyesore.
• If there are several ideas for potential projects, have students make a case
for their favorite project and have a debate to decide which project will offer the most
benefits.
• Develop a project timeline.

• Observe site conditions (light, moisture, soil). Choose native plants that
will thrive in these conditions.

• Don't forget about habitat elements! Adding elements like feeders, rock &
brush piles, etc. will make the habitat more attractive to wildlife. Remember to add
elements to encourage humans to visit your project too!

• Prepare a landscape planting design, incorporating all of the above

elements.

• Prepare a written maintenance plan for the habitat that the school will
adopt. The plan should be written to involve the teachers and students and create
ownership of the project. It should also ensure quality habitat is achieved and care for
over time.

• Design a budget and submit a grant application:

• Determine what equipment can be borrowed and what will need to be
purchased;
• Estimate and include in the budget all components of the project that will
be necessary for its success, including such things as soil and mulch; irrigation;
protecting plants against damage by wildlife, weeds, etc.; and material transportation
costs;
• Involve students in writing the grant;
• Include the site design & maintenance plan in the application;
• Don't just rely on the grant; look for additional funding sources (PTA,
community groups);
• Consider asking for items like plants, feeders, benches, etc. to be donated
by local businesses;

• Set dates for site preparation and planting;

• Once the budget is approved, order the necessary plants & supplies;

• Publicize the project : Let everyone know what you are doing!

• Plan a CELEBRATION!

• PREPARATION DAY:

• Gather students, equipment and volunteers to help prepare the site

for planting;
• Parents, local businesses & community members can also lend
equipment (i.e. rototillers) or services;
• If safe to do so, set plants out in spots where they will be planted.
If not, mark spots with spray paint or flags.

• PLANTING DAY!
• Set plants out where they will be planted;
• Plant, water & CELEBRATE!

• Utilize & maintain your project!

• Tie project into the school curriculum and local community activities;
 • Maintain and expand the project!

Include all elements:

• Form Team
• Establish Goals
• Choose Project
• Professional Development
• Gather Support
• Administrative Approval
• Create Budget
•
Secure Funding
• Design Project
• Secure Contractors
• Develop Planting Design
• Order Plants
• Confirm Volunteers
• Install Project
• Develop Maintenance and Use Plan

* The budget table should clearly define all costs, including any partners providing funds
or in-kind services.

Current Level of Knowledge pertaining to Watershed Ecology and Habitat

Indicate your current level of knowledge for each area pertaining to teaching about the
schoolyard.
Use a scale from 1=high to 5=low

• ______ local plants

 • ______ local animals
• ______ watershed issues
• ______ global environmental issues
• ______ scientific research methods
• ______ ecological principles & concepts

School Culture and Support

How would you rate the support you believe you will have during the next school year for using
your schoolyard as a place for learning (circle number below):

Administrators: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Other teachers: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Your curriculum: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Available equipment: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Grounds/maintenance staff: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Parents: a lot of support 1 2 3 4 5 no support

Current Instructional Techniques

How often do you bring your students outdoors for instruction? (choose one)

( ) frequently, about once a week (30-40 times each school year)

( ) often, about 2-3 times a month (15-30 times each school year)

( ) occasionally, about once a month (6-15 times each school year)

( ) infrequently, every couple of months (3-5 times each school year)

( ) almost never, once or twice a year

( ) never

Comfort Using the Schoolyard for Instruction (circle number below)

How comfortable are you with teaching about or in your schoolyard?
I am quite comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 I am not at all

Rate your schoolyard as a learning environment:

Very rich 1 2 3 4 5 not rich at all
Are you comfortable with your current knowledge about schoolyard habitat and ecology?

I am quite comfortable 1 2 3 4 5 I am not at all

Concerns (circle number below)
Will class management be more challenging outdoors?
Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will I be able to integrate the use of the schoolyard with current instruction?
Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will student’s schoolyard activities negatively effect their performance on tests?

Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will I be able to make use of my schoolyard's potential?

Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will I be able to accomplish all the steps of a schoolyard habitat and do everything else I have to
do?
Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will I be able to figure out what is best to do with my schoolyard?

Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

Will I be able to fund any extra supplies I need to accomplish a schoolyard project?
Not concerned 1 2 3 4 5 very concerned

LANDOWNER AGREEMENT

This agreement, dated XXX, 20__ (specific date), between (School’s name including district
name), School(s), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is entered into pursuant to
authority contained in section 1 of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661,
section 7 of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 16 U.S.C. 3771 et seq., and the Partners for Fish
and Wildlife Act (16 U.S.C. 3771 et seq.).

I (we), (School’s name including district’s name) hereby agree to participate with the Service in
conducting certain land management practices on lands owned by me (us) in XXX County, State
of XXX described as follows:

(number of acres or miles) of habitat located on (insert address, UTMS’s, latitude and
longitude, and/or Township Range Sections)

In signing this agreement, the Landowner(s) join(s) as a participant in a wildlife habitat

management program and grants to the Service the authority to complete the habitat
development, or to personally carry out management activities with financial or material support.
Any donation of supplies, equipment, or direct payment from the Service to the School(s) for
carrying out the wildlife habitat developments is also included in Exhibit A of the Cooperative
Agreement.

The term of this agreement will be for XXX (minimum of 10 years from estimated project
completion date) years beginning the date of the last signature to this agreement and ending XXX
20__.

This agreement may be modified at any time by mutual written consent of the parties. It may be
terminated by either party upon 30 days advance written notice to the other party(ies). However,
if the Landowner(s) terminate(s) the agreement before its expiration, or if the Landowner(s)
should materially default on these commitments, then the Landowner(s) agree(s) to reimburse
the Service prior to final termination for the prorated costs of all habitat developments placed on
the land through this agreement. For these purposes, the total cost of the developments to the
United States are agreed to be $ XXX.XX.

At the end of the term, the habitat development will become the sole property of the
Landowner(s).

The Service does not assume jurisdiction over the premises by this agreement. The
Landowner(s) retain(s) all rights to control trespass and retains all responsibility for taxes,
assessments, and damage claims.

The Service, its agents, or assignees reserve the right to enter the land at reasonable times for
Landowner(s) habitat development and management purposes and to inspect completed work.
The Service assumes no liability for damage or injury other than that caused by its own
negligence, on the above acreage.

A change of ownership shall not change the terms of this agreement. The agreement and terms
shall be in effect on the described land for the period of the agreement. The Landowner(s) will
notify the Service of planned or pending changes in ownership.

At the end of this agreement, the Landowner(s) assume(s) full and complete responsibility for all
Landowner(s) habitat developments made during this agreement on the project tract. There shall
be no obligation to any of the agencies of the agreement after the term of the agreement has
expired.

The Landowner(s) will be responsible for securing any necessary permits. Technical advice and
support will be provided by participating agencies in the application for the permit(s).

The Service is prohibited by law from making obligations that exceed available funds and,
therefore, the Service can do only that work which is funded. In the event funds are not available
to do the habitat development work within the period of time or in the manner prescribed in the
special provisions, the Service will advise the Landowner(s) of that fact.

The Landowner(s) guarantee(s) ownership of the above-described land and warrants that there
are no outstanding rights which interfere with this Landowner Agreement.
________________________________________________
Landowner/ Principal

Date
(add lines for other signatures if applicable)

________________________________________________
Schoolyard Habitat Project Officer Date

________________________________________________
Service Project Leader/Field Supervisor Date.