WE NHEEd to Get Outside Grant Information
We NHEEd to Get Outside, Again (and always)!
Since 2018 we've awarded $85,492 that enabled 10,266 students to get outside! This grant is open to NH schools or 501(c)3 non-profit organizations to provide students hands-on, experiential, outdoor learning opportunities. These educational experiences can be to a variety of locations (e.g., nature center, museum, state park, conservation area, school grounds, among others) and must include an outdoor, experiential component. These outdoor experiences do not have to be science focused; since environmental education is interdisciplinary by nature, we encourage experiences that engage participants with the environment in creative ways through a range of subjects. We are especially interested in supporting experiences that involve observation and exploration directly “in” nature. Some weight is also given to applicants who plan in the "off season" (late fall, winter, and early spring), as this provides new and different outdoor experiences and supports environmental education centers around the state at a time when they have fewer visitors. The grant funds can be used to cover transportation costs, student entry fees, program fees, or the purchase of equipment for outdoor observation and exploration experiences. We anticipate awarding grants in the range of $200-$2000.
We will accept applications to fund outdoor learning experiences taking place in 2026 starting on September 15, 2025. The deadline to apply is November 20, 2025. Awards will be announced mid-December 2025. Grants are awarded in early January 2026.
For the NHEE'd To Get Outside in 2025 round the grant committee will be using a rubric to help guide the review process. We strongly encourage applicants to review the rubric and frequently asked questions before filling out an application. You can also review the application here. We will only accept applications submitted via the google form using the link below.
On September 15 click here to apply. Follow us on facebook for updates.
Each year we receive more request than we can award which means there are children who are missing out on an opportunity to get outside. We need more sponsors to continue funding these opportunities. Please click here to contact NHEE if you are interested in becoming a sponsor or have ideas about finding sponsors.
Congratulations to the following 2025 grant recipients!
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Francestown Elementary School—In multi-age groups, K-4th grade, students will observe a specific outdoor area for a year-long study one morning once a month. They will observe how their space changes over time, keep nature journals, take photographs, track animal signs, learn about the fungus among us, and study small worlds in nature. They will also investigate the local vernal pools and the subnivean zone.
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The Ellis School - By the end of 7th and 8th grade, students will have traced their watershed from the Exeter River to the Squamscott River, Great Bay, and the Piscataqua River to the Atlantic Ocean. They will study organisms, food systems, and human-environment interactions at local, regional, and global levels, exploring both ecological and economic roles.
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Stark Village School - K-6th graders will study aquaculture in the Ammonoosuc River that borders their school. They will visit the Berlin Fish Hatchery to learn how trout populations are sustained through breeding tanks, and raised in a controlled, predator-free environment until they are released into local waterways.
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Errol Consolidated School - K-8 students will be introduced to Nordic skiing gear, safety, and lessons during PE classes, and will create new on-campus trails to complement existing snowshoe trails. A family full moon snowshoe/Nordic ski night will include night sky observations and a story walk. Additionally, all students will receive a season pass to Mohawk Falls Nordic Center for six school visits, with the option to visit outside of school with their families or community members.
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Southeast Land Trust - CAMP ATLAS (All-Terrain Learning Adventures), a two-week program focused on social and emotional wellbeing through nature, emphasizes connection with self, others, and the land, with the goal of fostering wild play and nurturing each child’s inner spark. Campers will go on a kayak trip with Seven Rivers Paddling in Newmarket, NH, where they will set intentions and explore the benefits of risky play in a safe, reflective environment.
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Broken Ground School - 3rd grade students will go to Squam Lake Science Center for the "Creatures of the Night" program, where they will learn about nocturnal NH animal adaptations. Students will explore the Science Center’s trails and exhibits, gaining hands-on experience with the local ecosystem. For some students, this will be their first experience spending the day in nature and making real-world connections to their science units in the classroom.
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Timberlane Regional High School - 9th-12th graders in the Outdoor Adventure Club will explore state parks, and conservation areas, hike at least one 4,000-footer, and go on an overnight camping adventure.
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Lempster Community School - Pre-K- 8th grade students and their families will be able to enjoy bird watching from a newly constructed bird blind along the school's nature trail. This ties into curriculum that includes animals, birds and natural habitats
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Wheelock School - 5th graders will spend 2 nights and 3 days at the Nature's Classroom where they will spend their days learning in the outdoors, exploring the wild, experiencing nature, tracking animals, and participating in collaborative activities.
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Gilmanton School - With the purchase of snowshoes, K-8th graders will be able to explore school grounds or nearby conservation areas during winter, offering a unique opportunity to observe how local ecosystems transform in the colder months. This hands-on experience complements their study of rivers and ponds during warmer months, allowing teachers to highlight real-life winter changes.
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Hinsdale High School - 11th and 12th graders will kayak on the Connecticut River, which they frequently visit for river ecology studies, bird migration observation, and shoreline cleanups. In class, students raise awareness about local biodiversity by posting educational materials at the boat launch. Kayaking will offer them a unique perspective of the environment from the water, enhancing their hands-on learning.
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White Mountains Regional High School - Existing outdoor classroom platforms, surrounded by trees, will be equipped with clipboards, and other essential materials, eliminating the need for teachers to carry supplies. With these permanent setups, teachers can easily hold outdoor lessons, offering students opportunities for interactive activities and sensory exploration of the natural environment.
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Plainfield School - Through a three-year commitment to professional development geared towards sustainability education (Shelburne Farms Education for Sustainability), K- 8th grade teachers will identify and implement cross-curricular and cross grade opportunities for environmental exploration. A large emphasis will be on the community garden but the possibilities are countless!
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Manchester High School West Outdoor Club - 9th-12th graders will get to go on monthly outdoor club trips throughout the school year, an overnight camping trip in the spring, and a biology field trip. Many students, who speak over 75 languages and come from diverse backgrounds, have never camped or hiked. This program offers them a chance to explore nature, compare it to their urban or home environments, and foster a lifelong love of the outdoors.
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Stonewall Farm - The Family Farm Exploration Initiative at Stonewall Farm aims to increase family visits, outdoor time, and agricultural learning, while supporting children’s literacy development. They will install a StoryWalk® on a forest trail featuring seasonally-themed books and create four seasonal farm exploration backpacks for self-guided learning experiences. These initiatives will encourage families, especially those with young children, to engage with nature and agriculture, fostering a love of the outdoors and literacy.
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Mount Washington Observatory - K-8 students from Ossipee Central School and Errol Consolidated School will go on field trips to Mount Washington, led by Mount Washington Observatory (MWOBS). These trips will allow students to engage in hands-on weather observation, including measuring environmental conditions and participating in citizen science. The field experience will enhance their weather and climate studies, supporting Errol’s snow science curriculum and providing Ossipee’s third graders with a concrete, exciting introduction to weather concepts.
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Hillsboro-Deering High School - 10th-12th graders will participate in a small mammal behavior study allowing students to use trail cameras and live traps to observe and collect data on animals around campus, focusing on species interactions and environmental preferences. Students will also track small mammals using UV powder and light to map their movement, incorporating these methods into their zoology course. This hands-on study will connect classroom learning to potential careers in Fish and Game or Environmental Services, and future students will compare data year-to-year to analyze patterns.
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Beaver Brook Association - The purchase of an updated, portable pop-up puppet theater will enhance their outdoor, experiential nature programs. Puppets are a powerful tool for engaging young learners in nature-based storytelling and environmental education. This new theater will support free weekly storytimes, school field trips, outreach events, and public programs like "Animals Get Ready for Winter" and "The Magic of Maple Sugaring."
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Kearsarge Food Hub - Sweet Beet Farm hosts a group of about eight Parker Academy (6th-12th grade) students every Wednesday morning, providing them with hands-on farming experience. These neurodivergent students thrive in the outdoor, nature-based setting, engaging in tasks like harvesting, composting, and planting crops. In addition to farming activities, they practice mindfulness through yoga, meditation, and nature-based exercises, helping them connect with their environment.
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Lafayette Regional School - In February, second and third grade students will visit the Fairbanks Museum for nature-themed workshops that align with their NGSS learning. The second graders will explore animal homes through hands-on activities and then apply their findings to the Franconia area, while third graders will study bird adaptations and apply their learning to local wildlife. The third grade will also engage in additional explorations with museum educators, including studying seasonal changes in the forest and river habitats, and use their observations to create a science scavenger hunt for younger students.
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Unitarian Universalist Friends of Refugees (UUFOR) - New American students and their families will get to experience an outdoor adventure in NH which they might not otherwise have access to, helping them connect with the natural environment outside of school while building on their classroom learning.
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Grow Nashua - With the purchase of soil probes, test kits, magnifying glasses, basic microscopes, and garden gloves, Grow Nashua will be able to deepen student learning by providing hands-on lessons on soil health, allowing students to collect and test soil samples, document findings, and explore how variables affect soil quality. Additionally, with the purchase of portable hand and produce washing stations, Grow Nashua will be able to enable students to fully participate in the harvest and preparation steps of the Garden to Table cycle, while also enhancing outdoor learning and accessibility for all students.
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Gathering Waters Charter School - With equipment acquired through this grant, 6th-12th graders will engage in scientific investigation of local waterways, learning about water ecology, water quality monitoring, and citizen science. Students will collect data at various sites along the Ashuelot River, Robin Hood Park Reservoir, and Goose Pond, contributing to ongoing datasets on local water quality. By visiting the same sites weekly, students will develop a meaningful connection to the environment and the organisms within it.
Click here to see descriptions of trips & projects funded over the years.
Add your trip to the list for next year!