The Natchez Trace Parkway has joined forces with school districts in Mississippi to provide students with innovative and exciting new learning experiences. Teachers from three counties will spend this summer learning about the Natchez Trace while developing service-learning projects that will take Mississippi students to new levels of involvement with the Natchez Trace Parkway.
“By encouraging high school students to develop strong connections with the outdoors, we are helping to ensure that our parks will continue to be protected and preserved by future generations of park stewards,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation.
Educational activities developed under the National Park Foundation Park Stewards Program grant will provide teachers and students the opportunity to build a deeper connection and sense of stewardship for their national parks through a variety of new educational opportunities. The Parkway is able to fund these activities with the support of the Bank of America Foundation.
Two other Mississippi educators are also working with Interpretive Ranger Jane Farmer through the National Park Service’s Teacher-to-Ranger-to-Teacher program. These teachers will develop Trace-related biology and social studies lessons based on state curriculum standards. These positions are funded in part by the National Park Service’s Connect Trails to Parks program.
“It is an honor to receive these grants because it provides an opportunity for the Natchez Trace Parkway to work with local teachers to develop service learning projects that will teach Mississippi students and benefit the Natchez Trace,” said Cam Sholly, Superintendent.
Teachers who would like to receive free educational materials and park ranger assistance in implementing lessons are encouraged to call the Natchez Trace Parkway at 662-680-4027.
For more information on the Natchez Trace Parkway, visit www.nps.gov/natr
For more information on the National Park Foundation -This is Your Land, www.nationalparks.org
