Earth Grant: Outstanding and Committed to Environmental Education

The Arizona Institute for Resilience Earth Grant program for interdisciplinary undergraduate students won the 2023 Outstanding School or College Committed to Environmental Education award, an Excellence in Environmental Education recognition given by the Arizona Association for Environmental Education (AAEE).

Emphasizing the program's success, a former Earth Grant intern, Maya Tainatongo, also was recognized with the award for Outstanding Junior/Young Professional in Environmental Education. A Tucson, Arizona native, Maya graduated in May with a B.S. in Natural Resources, Wildlife Conservation Emphasis, and now puts her skills to use with the Arizona Conservation Corps.

Inspired by the NASA Space Grant and NOAA Sea Grant models, Earth Grant places students from diverse disciplines in paid internships working with community partners on projects that emphasize leadership development and environmental and community resilience. Currently implemented in Arizona, Earth Grant is now soliciting partners to adopt and tailor this successful internship model to local contexts, with the goal of scaling the program. 

This year, Earth Grant is grateful to partner with Tohono O’odham Community College (TOCC), with support from Flinn Foundation, on a pilot partnership to make this program accessible to TOCC students and transfer students from tribal colleges.

"Earth Grant is honored by the recognition of the AAEE award for Outstanding School or College Committed to Environmental Education," said Leona Davis, Earth Grant program coordinator. "It's been so inspiring to see our student interns grow into their roles as new leaders in environment and resilience, with the experiences they've been able to have through this opportunity."