Learning In Our Watershed FY2025-2026
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Program Overview Started in 2010, Learning in Our Watershed™ (LIOW) was designed with a simple mission: to help youth understand and value the Cache la Poudre River and their water heritage while inspiring a next generation of river stewards. A growing body of research points to the beneficial impacts that nature has on health, well-being, and the promotion of healing. LIOW is designed to take learning from the classroom to the great outdoors for improved well-being while developing a of a sense of connection to nature, history, and the heritage area. Designed by educators to align with the 4th grade Colorado education standards, students experience the following lesson objectives: • Connect students to their river corridor • Immerse students in their local heritage, cultures, and landscapes • Help students develop critical thinking skills including interpreting maps and signs • Encourage students to reflect on human-environment interactions within their watershed region
Learning in Our Watershed™ is an adaptable three-touch model with hybrid options for on-site and distance learning, designed to create pathways for kids to enjoy, understand and connect with nature and history in exciting ways by facilitating outdoor activity, experiential learning, and cultural heritage exercises. Teachers can self-select from a variety of activities in each of the three touch points to customize a field trip specific to their learning objectives and subject matter.
Funding for LIOW is made possible by the National Parks Foundation, National Parks Service, Nutrien, and donations from community sponsors and donors.
Eligibility
All K-12 schools that are located in Northern Colorado qualify to submit an application to the Learning in Our Watershed program; however, the 3-touch model the program is based on is geared toward grades 2-5. Priority will be given to Title 1 schools and 4th grade classes per grant requirements for the largest funder of this program. Additional requests from schools from areas beyond NOCO will be considered as funding allows.
Requirements
Field trip destinations must be within the Cache NHA boundaries. A list of pre-approved destinations includes the Centennial Village, CSU's Environmental Learning Center, the Poudre Learning Center, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, Windsor History Museum, and Colorado Youth Outdoors. Other destinations may be approved based on funding and how the destination ties to the mission of the program. Funding typically covers costs associated with transportation and/or admission.
If you have questions regarding your school's eligibility or your field trip destination, please contact admin@poudreheritage.org.
Upon completion of the field trip, awardees must complete a post trip report, provide receipts or invoices, and provide at least one photo from the trip. A photo release form is available for parent/guardian to fill out prior to your trip. Grant funds will be distributed to the school AFTER the field trip and post trip report are completed.