The New Mexico State Parks Division is inviting public schools and teachers to apply for grants of up to $15,000. These funds are intended to cover transportation costs for field trips to state parks during the 2025-2026 school year. The deadline for applications is November 14.
State Parks Director Toby Velásquez highlighted the educational value of these trips, stating, "Our 35 state parks serve as outdoor classrooms, with outstanding curriculum-based programs for connecting students to natural and cultural resources throughout our state." He emphasized the importance of the Kids in Parks grants in providing necessary funding for these educational outings.
The travel program has fostered strong partnerships with schools and encourages both new applicants and previous recipients to apply. Eligible applicants include teachers or representatives from public or public-charter schools within New Mexico school districts. Successful applications typically demonstrate a clear connection between classroom learning and the proposed field trip.
Field trips must be conducted at one of New Mexico's state parks, a list of which can be found on their official website. More information on applying for a grant is available online.
Teachers who participated in the program during the 2024-2025 school year rated their park experiences highly, giving an average score of 9.3 out of 10.
The initiative is part of efforts by the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department to enhance educational opportunities through direct engagement with natural environments.
For further details on how to apply, visit http://bit.ly/42WtJAp.
Information from this article can be found here.
