REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS for Go WILD (Wilderness in Learning Development) Grants
Virginia Wilderness Committee invites applications from Bridgewater College and Mary Baldwin College faculty and staff for a grant from the Go WILD (Wilderness in Learning Development) program. 2011 is a pilot year for this grant program, and the opportunity to apply will be broadened to additional Shenandoah Valley colleges/universities next year.
Timeline for 2011 Grants
Distribute RFP to local colleges: April 18
RFP Application deadline: June 15
Grant reward announcements: July 31
AFTER REVIEWING GRANT GUIDELINES, APPLY FOR GRANT WITH ONLINE FORM
Background Information and Grant Guidelines
Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC) is a non-profit citizens' group dedicated to the preservation of Virginia's natural heritage. VWC was organized in 1969 and works closely with the congressional delegation from Virginia to pass federal legislation under the 1964 Wilderness Act, which provides permanent protection to outstanding wild areas on public land in Virginia by adding them to the National Wilderness Preservation System.
Wilderness that is designated by federal legislation under the 1964 Wilderness Act provides the strongest protection available for wild public lands. Recreation enjoyed in wilderness areas includes hiking, camping, backpacking, hunting, fishing, canoeing, horse-back riding, rock-climbing, nature study, etc.
Wilderness historically fulfills many social and scientific values, including nature education and preservation, ecological research and scientific study, and backcountry recreation and solitude. Today, wilderness areas continue to provide these benefits while providing crucial clean watersheds for expanding populations as well as scientific control for the study of climate change.
In order to protect the wild character of these special places, mechanized vehicles (including mountain bikes) are not allowed in wilderness areas; wilderness areas are also protected from development such as logging, mining, or drilling.
For more information about the 1964 Wilderness Act, answers to common questions about wilderness, and a list of valuable writings and resources about wilderness, visit our FAQ page.
Virginia's George Washington and Jefferson National Forests currently contain seventeen wilderness areas totally just over 100,000 acres; Virginia Wilderness Committee has recommended additional areas for consideration. Shenandoah National Park currently contains approximately 79,500 acres of designated wilderness. Wilderness areas in the George Washington National Forest include:
Ramseys Draft (designated in 1984)
St. Mary's (1984)
Rich Hole (1988)
Rough Mountain (1988)
Three Ridges (2000)
The Priest (2000)
For additional information about all wilderness in Virginia, visit http://www.wilderness.net/.
Student Wilderness Experiences
The purpose of the Go WILD Grant Program is to engage young people in understanding, experiencing, and appreciating wilderness in Virginia. Our mini-grants (up to $1,000) will fund educational wilderness experiences that will help students appreciate Wilderness areas and the National Wilderness Preservation System, understand the cultural and scientific values of wilderness, and learn backcountry ethics and stewardship.
We fund proposals that:
- Give students first-hand experience in a wilderness area. The wilderness visit should be to a congressionally-designated wilderness area, or to a roadless area that is currently a wilderness candidate, within the George Washington National Forest. (Note: Group size in a designated wilderness area is limited to no more than 10 people. Wilderness candidate areas have no group size limits. Also, we do not recommend outings during open firearms hunting season, typically from early November until January 1.) See our list of recommended destinations and maps. Camping/hiking suggestions are available upon request.
- Enhance students’ understanding and appreciation of wilderness through active and instructive learning;
- Clearly relate the value of wilderness to the academic discipline, or have a clear service/stewardship component such as trail maintenance or invasive species identification/removal; and
- Are led by a faculty or staff person who fully understands what wilderness is and is committed to a positive experience for students. Applicants are expected to:
- Attend a presentation given by VWC describing the grant program OR carefully review the Go WILD Grant Program web page prior to submitting a grant application;
- If applicable, modify course syllabus appropriately and teach the course using the modifications;
- Lead a group outing to the wilderness or supervise a semester-long independent study or research project; and
- Submit a brief report of results and evaluation of student outcomes following project completion.
The Grant Application and Review Process
Virginia Wilderness Committee invites proposals under an annual competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, and awards grants of up to $1,000 to fund student wilderness experiences.
Eligible Requests
VWC supports proposals directly benefiting students at colleges and universities in the Shenandoah Valley. Applicants must be employed at a participating institution. Participating institutions are expected to cover any and all liability insurance needed for excursions to wilderness areas. All applicants must agree to and abide by the ethics of Leave No Trace.
Application Procedures
Please submit an application or any questions to Carol Lena Miller, VWC Wilderness Coordinator, at carollenamiller@comcast.net .
We will contact you if we have questions or require additional information. We will acknowledge your application within two weeks of its receipt.
Timeline for 2011 Grants
Distribute RFP to local colleges: April 18
RFP Application deadline: June 15
Grant reward announcements: July 31
APPLY FOR GRANT NOW WITH ONLINE FORM
This grant is funded by generous donations made in memory of Julianna Mulqueen, whose nature-loving spirit
lives in the continued work to protect the most outstanding wild places in Virginia for the benefit of future generations.