THE GREAT OUTDOORS FUND SPONSORSHIP PRIORITIES
Environmental Education
GOF advocates for quality year-round environmental education, information, and recreation opportunities to encourage life-long protection and enjoyment of our natural resources. Education-based media exposure, integrated nature and arts programming, and innovative interpretive projects all receive special funding endorsement through The Great Outdoors Fund.
Natural Resource Acquisition and Protection
The management of natural resources within Polk County parkland is of major importance to the quality of life in our county. GOF supports local efforts to acquire and maintain diverse natural areas, urban reforestation, improve water quality, and leverage private and public dollars for the greater good of Central Iowa.
Outdoor Recreation
GOF recognizes the importance that outdoor recreation opportunities play to better our health & wellness, economy, and community. Much GOF enthusiasm has gone into funding outdoor recreation-based projects such as the Jester Park Playscape, trails, camping, birding maps, and wildlife viewing.
Trails
The popularity of recreation trails in Iowa continues to grow. Polk County offers many miles of trail for bikers, joggers, hikers, in-line skaters, cross-country skiers, and canoers. GOF supports numerous trail efforts in the Greater Des Moines area such as water trail campgrounds, High Trestle Trail development, and the Grand Opening of the Trestle to Trestle Trail.
Youth Outreach
"..capitalizing on a child's "intrinsic interest" in the natural world and actively engaging that child in the educational process would create an enthusiastic learner for a lifetime." - The Educational Efficacy of EE, 1997
Getting children outdoors, especially in today's world of modern technology, is critical to their health, education, and general awareness of environmental stewardship. GOF actively funds school bus field trips to Polk County parks and At-Risk student equestrian scholarships, not to mention numerous other educational and recreational youth initiatives.
