OUR WORK
NATURE EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
As part of our commitment to connect community with nature, we fund programs for Geauga County children and youth that provide hands-on nature education in the hope that they will continue to explore nature for a lifetime and serve as the next generation of environmental stewards. We fund school transportation to parks for programs led by naturalists that enhance school science curriculum. We offer scholarships to high school seniors who plan to study nature and environment-related subjects post graduation.
PARK ENHANCEMENT & CONSERVATION
Our goal is to partner with local organizations to fund projects that enhance access to parks like the Tulip Trail equestrian and multi-use trail, fund nature education opportunities like the Frohring Meadows Pollinator Demonstration Garden and Nature Play Area and the West Woods Nature Center, conserve important wildlife and plant habitats like at Thompson Ledges, and develop natural spaces for passive recreational and wellness use like the UH Geauga Community Wellness Trail. We are unique in that we fund projects at Park District park AND parks managed by local townships, cities and villages. Many local parks like Thompson Ledges do not receive tax funding - the Foundation can help them raise funds for development and improvement.
GRANTS AND FUNDING PARTNERSHIPS
We partner with local groups and organizations to help fund projects of all sizes. We manage funds for the Ohio Horseman's Council Geauga Chapter used to develop horse trails like the Tulip Trail and for Thompson Ledges to fund their new Nature Center and expansion opportunities. We donated $50,000 to help create the UH Geauga Community Wellness Trail open to all. We offer grants for nature-related projects open to the public for passive recreation like adding a walking trail at Scenic River Preserve. We even offer small grants of up to $2000 for local projects like the Munson Township Park Rain Garden installation, and trail enhancements at Blue Heron Preserve and Chardon Living Memorial Park.
CONNECTING COMMUNITY WITH NATURE
Connecting people with our parks and natural spaces is central to our purpose. Our free Explorer Series Guided Excursions make nature programming accessible to all. Our new Membership Program helps people experience nature in a new way with exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of hidden natural gems and nature-related programming with a community of nature enthusiasts. Geauga Skywatchers brings the cosmos close with astronomy-related programming. These programs demonstrate the educational, health and wellness and environmental benefits provided by our green spaces in Geauga County.