Presenter: Darlene Lewis

Commission Agenda Item No. 6
Briefing
Community Outdoor Outreach Grant Program
January 1998

I. DISCUSSION:

History of COOP

• Representative Yvonne Davis wanting to create a program where more kids from all walks of life got the opportunity to experience the outdoors
  
• Funding $250,000 set aside for each year
  
• Minimum amount $5,000, maximum $20,000
  
• Eligible applicants: non-political groups, churches, schools, non-profit organizations and municipalities
  
• Criteria: Minority, low income, rural, physically or mentally challenged, youth at risk, women
  
• Mission: to introduce non-traditional constituents to outdoor activities

Video

Highlights some of the COOP funded activities

Number of Projects Funded/Kids Targeted

In the first two cycles of this project, we have been able to fund 34 projects out of 285 requests. Those 285 requests in the last two cycles totaled more than $3-million dollars.

This current cycles has 83 applicants with requests totaling more than.

FY96 - TPWD was able to fund 4 internal projects totaling more than $59,000. Those projects included a two week summer camp at Abilene State Park, inner city youth camping trips at Sheldon Lake WMA and the Fort Leaton Historical park living history presentations which all have turned out to be very successful programs.

Activities funded include: Camping and canoeing trips, two week environmental lab for middle school students at Guadalupe River State Park, wildscaping programs at local schools, hunting and fishing trips and environmental clean-ups, a one week history presentation at Caddoan Mountains involving the Caddo Indians from Oklahoma, a birding festival in East Texas and kids here in east Austin designing their own web site to talk about their outdoor experiences.

Current Projects Under Consideration

TBA

What Has Been Accomplished With COOP

• 27,000 kids were introduced to camping, fishing, hunting, TPWD's Buffalo Soldiers and Parrie Haynes Youth Camps, trail rides, canoeing and our state parks
  
• Increased awareness in minority and rural communities about TPWD related programs and activities
  
• Introduced groups and organizations with outdoor programs already in place to TPWD facilities and staff resources
  
• Building community relationships which are vital to TPWD's programs and services
  
• Attracted a corporate sponsor for outdoor equipment
  
• Increased minority participation in TPWD programs
  

Future Goals of COOP

• Create more partnerships with community organizations, schools, churches and municipalities
  
• Reach out and assist more rural communities
  
• Seek corporate sponsors for outreach projects
  
• Increase available funding for COOP projects
  
• Continue to find fun and exciting ways to promote environmental education
  
• Create a web site for all funded projects to share their outdoor experiences and programs around the state
  
• Develop a resource guide for additional funding opportunities for outdoor activities