Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy — My Global Scholars Grant
As part of the Global Scholars coursework, I had the opportunity to develop and present a grant. At the beginning stages of the process, my partner Kat and I wanted to pair with an organization that focused on sustainability and environmental conservancy. I was particularly passionate about these topics as I realized the looming threat of climate change through various educational experiences such as the Plastic Ocean GIP Event, Aaron Fyke GIP Event, and my GIP trip to Nicaragua. Kat and I were able to connect with the Arroyos and Foothills Conservancy (AFC) through our Community Outreach Head Ms. Larios. We met with the AFC Program and Land Administrator Tim Martinez who served as our beneficiary during the grant process.
We received a $5800 grant for AFC’s 2019 Summer Internship Program– a part of the larger “Conservation Through Education” initiative. We intend to use the grant to fully fund this year’s summer program for all accepted students. Supporting this AFC endeavor for conservation education will help establish a stronger foothold in fostering nature conservation, restoration, and sustainability in Southern California. Through the hands-on program, students will learn about the natural world around them as well as how they can do their part in conservation and serving their own communities. We feel the funding will help the next generation understand the value and the critical importance of conserving, even restoring, our nature. During times in which some government administrators are not willing to take legal action towards combating climate change and supporting improved sustainability, it is especially crucial that we take an active role in preserving the environment around us.
During the development of our grant, one of our biggest obstacles was time management and coordination with our beneficiary. As Mr. Martinez was very busy overseeing other aspects and projects connected to AFC, Kat and I could only meet with him every so often. When we did meet, it was crucial we were prepared in what we needed to talk about with Mr. Martinez and request of him. There were a few meetings where we forgot to bring up or request certain items, which stalled the overall progress of our grant. In the end, Kat and I were able to get past these obstacles and present a thorough presentation and grant. The most stressful and thrilling part of our grant work was our presentation to the grant panel. Kat and I poured hours into preparing and rehearsing our presentation, understanding every single aspect of our grant, and attempting to predict potential questions asked by the panel.
Overall, writing a grant was a truly extraordinary experience in high school. Through the Global Scholars curriculum and coursework, I have gained rare experiences and a broader perspective of the various cultures around the world. Global Scholars has taught me not to explore the world but to explore the different worlds.
