Congratulations Melissa: CO-OP Program Award proposal is funded!

CO-OP Program Awards More Than $2 Million in Grants to Texas Communities

Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) Diversifies Audiences Engaged with the Outdoors

AUSTIN – Communities in Texas will have more opportunities to explore their natural surroundings thanks to grants awarded through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). These 41 grant partnerships, totaling $2,048,678, will support community-based conservation and outdoor recreation activities throughout the state and build on $22 million already awarded by TPWD over the past 25 years.

Baylor University’s Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research is partnering with grant recipient Education Service Center Region 12 and five area state parks to develop the Texas Teachers in State Parks program. This is an innovative program that connects teachers serving in low-income school districts to regional state parks for intensive professional development that results in high-quality engagement with students in park-based field experiences. Training includes a family campout for teachers, and the opportunity to be a State Park Teacher Ambassador to support future workshops. CRASR’s outreach specialist Melissa Mullins will partner with Judy York, Science Specialist ESC R12 and Annie Ellison, Regional Interpretive Specialist TPWD on this project. Melissa will coordinate CRASR student and researcher participation efforts to support this project, by focusing on aquatic resources in the parks.

Other CO-OP grant recipients include churches, conservation groups, nature centers, non-profit organizations, school districts and municipalities. The benefits to Texas communities are endless.

TPWD established CO-OP in 1996 to help introduce environmental education, conservation, and outdoor recreation programs to underrepresented audiences. Grant funds may be used for supplies, travel, training, food, personnel costs

and equipment for ongoing use.