Our academy is extremely grateful to those organizations that have awarded us grants or partnered with us.
Our Educational Partners
We are lucky and incredibly thankful for the support of our partners. Their support allows our students to really be immersed in hands-on learning about the world around them.
Stimson Lumber
Today, Stimson Lumber Company stretches across Oregon, Idaho and Montana. They employ more than 750 people; operate seven mills in Oregon and Idaho; and own and sustainably manage over 500,000 acres of forest land in the western United States. They are proud to be active partners in the communities where we live and do business.
​
Natural Connections Academy will be utilizing Stimson employee expertise and a parcel of land for our instruction.
Idaho Forest Products Commission
The Idaho Forest Products Commission sees working forests maintained in Idaho forever through responsible management of public and private forests and through an informed public that understands such management. The work of the Commission will help assure balanced and sustained timber, wildlife, recreation and scenic beauty for the welfare of the state’s citizens.
Natural Connections Academy will be utilizing multiple educational resources and networking provided by Idaho Forest Products Commission
Project Learning Tree Idaho
Project Learning Tree uses trees and forests as windows on the world to increase students’ understanding of the environment and actions they can take to conserve it.
Idaho Project Learning Tree provides a wide variety of virtual and in-person workshops for educators and others who work with youth. PreK, primary, intermediate, middle, high school, home school, outside of school, nonformal!
Project WET
Project WET's vision is to advance water education to understand global challenges and inspire local solutions.
​
They provide training workshops to educators at all levels, formal and non-formal, on diverse water topics so that those educators can reach children with objective, experiential, science-based water education.
​
They publish water resource education materials that are appropriate for many different age groups and cultures and offer comprehensive coverage of the broad topic of water.
​
​
Building a worldwide network of educators, water resource professionals, NGOs, water scientists, and
other experts to advocate for
the role of water education in solving complex water issues.
IDAH2O
The IDAH2O Master Water Stewards program is a volunteer, citizen scientist effort to collect basic water quality data for Idaho streams.
​
This program is offered through University of Idaho Extension to provide a unique opportunity to learn about and document regional water issues.
Birds of Prey Northwest
Birds of Prey Northwest’s mission is to educate the public about birds of prey, through live raptor presentations and other expanding outreach, and provide medical treatment to injured, sick, and orphaned
wild raptors with the goal of returning them to the wild. In 2021, Birds of Prey Northwest will celebrate its 28th year, as a nonprofit founded by raptor biologist and executive director Janie Veltkamp in St. Maries, Idaho.
​
One of their ambassador birds, Bubba the Great Horned Owl, is our mascot and Birds of Prey Northwest will help provide education on raptors within our curriculum.
Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission
Nearly half of Idaho is classified as rangeland. Eighty percent of rangelands are managed by either a federal or state agency. It is essential for the citizens of Idaho to have a good understanding of the ecology and management of these lands. IRRC’s role is to create programs and materials to increase public understanding of the ecology of Idaho’s rangelands and how they are managed.
​
Natural Connections Academy will be utilizing The IROAM curriculum and educational trailer as part of our outdoor instruction.
Kootenai Shoshone Soil & Water Conservation District
The District provides information, encouragement, and available assistance in the planning and application of conservation practices, the development of wildlife habitat, environmental improvement, recreation enterprises, and resource conservation and development project measures.
​
The District will assist Natural Connections Academy with experts to assist our students learn about soil, water, and conservation in our local environment.
Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control Dept.
The mission of Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control is to assist landowners in controlling the spread of terrestrial noxious weeds across Kootenai County in accordance with Idaho Code 22-2405. We accomplish this by:
-
Inspecting all unincorporated lands in the county
-
Educating landowners on which noxious weeds they have and the best methods to control them
-
Mapping infestations of noxious weeds and reporting data to Idaho State Department of Agriculture
-
Loaning out treatment equipment free of charge
The Kootenai County Noxious Weed Control Department assists the public and government agencies with identification and control methods for noxious weeds.
The Noxious Weed Control Dept. will be assisting Natural Connections Academy with expert speakers during our unit on native plants and noxious weeds.
