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Great Outdoors Fund Sponsorship Priorities
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Conservation Design
Conservation Design is controlled-growth land use development that allows limited
sustainable development while protecting the area's natural environmental
features in perpetuity. This includes preserving open space landscape and vista,
safe-guarding land and natural habitats for wildlife, and maintaining the character of
the land. Collaborative rain garden projects, using native plants, is just one way
the Great Outdoors Fund shows its committment to conservation design initiatives.
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Environmental Education
GOF Advocates for year-round environmental education, information, and recreational
opportunities to encourage life-long enjoyment, as well as a desire to protect
our natural resouces. Education-based media exposure, integrated nature
and arts programming, and innovative interpretive projects all receive special funding
endorsement through the Great Outdoors Fund.
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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. The Great Outdoors Fund
supports local efforts to acquire and maintain diverse natural areas, urban
reforestation, water quality improvement, and leveraging public and private
dollars for the greater good of Central Iowa.
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Outdoor Recreation
The Great Outdoors Fund recognizes the importance that outdoor recreation
opportunities play in bettering our health and wellness, economy, and
community. Much GOF enthusiasm has gone into funding outdoor recreation
projects such as Jester Park Playscape, trails, camping, birding maps, and
wildlife viewing.
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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. The Great Outdoors Fund 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.
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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, among numerous other educational and recreational youth initiatives.
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