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FAQs: Salmon Field Office Education and Outreach (Funding Opportunity Number L16AS00167)

What is the Salmon Field Office Education and Outreach opportunity (L16AS00167)?

It was a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (DOI-BLM) focused on natural resources education and community engagement. The main goal was to connect local youth with nearby public lands through hands-on, place-based learning.

Which federal agency offered this funding?

The opportunity was offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (DOI-BLM).

What was the primary purpose of the program?

The core purpose was to help local youth build familiarity with BLM-managed lands and develop a stronger understanding of natural resources, land stewardship, and responsible recreation through direct experience on the land (not just classroom learning).

What kinds of projects were this opportunity trying to support?

Projects were expected to create hands-on learning experiences that blend outdoor, place-based education with traditional instruction. The emphasis was on learning activities that happen on the landscape whenever possible, supported by classroom instruction as needed for context, safety, and reinforcement.

What does an "outdoor classroom" approach mean in this announcement?

It means educational activities should take place out on the landscape itself whenever possible, using public lands as the setting for instruction and experiential learning. Classroom instruction could be used as needed to support lessons, safety, and understanding.

Was classroom-based instruction allowed, or did everything need to be outside?

The program emphasis was on learning through direct outdoor experience, but it also contemplated formal classroom instruction when needed to reinforce concepts, address safety, and provide context.

Who was the intended audience for the education and outreach activities?

The opportunity emphasized connecting local youth with their public lands and building youth familiarity with nearby BLM-managed lands.

What topics or outcomes were emphasized for youth participants?

The announcement emphasized building understanding of natural resources, land stewardship, and responsible recreation, with learning driven by direct experience.

How important was community engagement in the project design?

Community engagement was highlighted as an important component. The announcement suggested applicants plan for public-facing outreach and participation in community events to broaden awareness and strengthen local connections to public lands.

What types of community events or outreach activities were suggested?

The notice pointed to community events such as demonstrations, local fairs, stewardship days, or partner-led events as examples of public-facing outreach components.

Could outdoor recreation be part of the educational approach?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly encouraged incorporating outdoor recreation activities as a learning vehicle, meaning recreation could be used responsibly to make education more engaging and relevant for youth.

What is meant by using recreation as a learning vehicle?

It refers to using guided outings or skill-building activities tied to land ethics and conservation topics to support learning about stewardship and responsible recreation.

What type of funding instrument was expected for awards?

Funding was to be provided through a cooperative agreement.

What does it mean that funding was offered through a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement typically means BLM expected substantial involvement during the project, such as coordination, technical input, or shared implementation responsibilities, rather than issuing a grant with minimal agency interaction.

What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum award amount listed was $15,000.

How many awards did BLM anticipate making under this announcement?

BLM anticipated making one award, indicating it was intended as a small, targeted program supporting a single project or lead organization for the Salmon Field Office area.

Was eligibility restricted to certain organization types?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to a wide range of applicants, subject to any additional conditions that may have been included in the full notice.

What is the CFDA number associated with this funding opportunity?

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number associated with the opportunity was 15.225.

What does CFDA 15.225 indicate in general terms for this opportunity?

It aligns with BLM assistance programs related to natural resources and public land stewardship.

When was the opportunity posted?

The notice was created and posted on June 17, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline (original and current closing date) was August 17, 2016.

Is this opportunity focused on a national program or a local area?

Based on the description, it was a modest, locally focused investment intended to support youth engagement connected to the Salmon Field Office area.

What was the overall emphasis of the opportunity?

Overall, it emphasized experiential learning on public lands, combining outdoor instruction with supporting classroom components, plus community outreach and potentially recreation-based programming tied to stewardship outcomes.