noslogo

Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the mountains and the stars up above. Let them look at the beauty of the waters and the trees and flowers on earth. They will then begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.
- David Polis

The History of NOS

The Nevada Outdoor School is a non-profit organization that fosters people's connections with the plants, animals, and habitats of northern Nevada; deepens their knowledge of the natural world; and inspires in people of all ages a sense of responsibility for their place in nature. In creating this program we have a profound understanding that the primary vehicle by which any given culture perpetuates its basic values is through its educational system.  We believe that collaboratively designing and implementing a curriculum, which assigns value to tradition and environmental stewardship, will create a dramatic acceleration and cultural shift towards a responsible land ethic in the mainstream of the population.  
Lessons taught in the Nevada Outdoor School, encourage students to identify local environmental justice problems while creatively solving them.  By encouraging folks to take a closer look at the nature around and providing tools for living a more harmonious lifestyle, we are ultimately changing the future of our world.
The idea for Nevada Outdoor School started with the current Director, Stephanie Lefevre, and her passion for outdoor education.  Stephanie moved to Winnemucca in May of 2002 and began putting the pieces and partners together to start such a non-profit outdoor school in rural Nevada.  The process was lengthy and is ongoing but has proved its worth many times over, in education, environmental restoration and volunteerism. NOS is a grassroots organization, working to meet the needs of the community, partners and students in rural Nevada.
NOS was founded in 2002, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps, Hands on the Land, the City of Winnemucca and Humboldt County. The intention was to establish an outdoor education program in rural Nevada that would create a sense of land stewardship amongst students of all ages. The better part of the year was spent developing programs, making contacts and establishing a Board of Directors and organizational structure.  NOS became involved with the Nevada Natural Resource Education Council and the Director, Stephanie Lefevre, became a board member, strengthening connections in outdoor and environmental education across the state.
In the summer of 2003, NOS was awarded 2 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to serve as volunteers for 1 year, assisting NOS in its goals of becoming a sustainable organization.  2003 also furthered the relationship with the BLM by creating an assistance agreement, providing NOS with $25,000 to perform education outreach directly related to the National Conservation Area.  NOS was awarded its non-profit status in June of 2003 as well. NOS hosted a high school summer intern program in partnership with the Family Resource Center, providing high school students a small stipend to assist with summer camps, perform restoration projects and other community service related programs.
Early spring 2004 NOS was awarded 3 additional AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers.  NOS was also granted a National Civilian Community Corps crew of 12 crew members for 6 weeks, back to back for 1 year.  The partnership with BLM was strengthened by signing an agreement for another year, expanding the scope of NOS’s ability to provide outreach and interpretation for the NCA.  Age focus was put in the development of interpretive kits and lessons that meet the national and state benchmarks and standards.  NOS hosted summer camps and high school internships once again with a new “kids camp” program provided by funds from the Burning Man organization.
2005 marked a pivotal point as NOS became a partner with United Way in addition to receiving 2 major grants to perform restoration and trail building work in partnership with the BLM.  NOS hired a 6 person restoration crew to perform such duties.  In class programs and field trips were expanded to included outlying rural communities and the BLM continued with the assistance agreement, supplying additional funds for restoration projects in the district. NOS continued to host NCCC crews, performing restoration work, tutoring in schools, after school programs and the like. NOS was also awarded 4 part time rural AmeriCorps positions
2006 was an epic year for the Nevada Outdoor School, with the additional award of 7 full time summer AmeriCorps VISTA Associates, 4 full time rural AmeriCorps members, 5 full time VISTA volunteers and an international summer crew of 6 from the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers program.   The BLM put a 3 year agreement in place with NOS, additional funds were awarded from the recreation trails program to perform trail building in the NCA and many new partners came to the table.  School programs and summer camps had the highest attendance and the Board of Directors was very strong and active.
Over the last four years Nevada Outdoor School was successful in directly serving over 15,000 students in rural Northern Nevada through a variety of community outreach programs, on-site education in classrooms, teacher training workshops, and summer camps. Today, NOS has formed a strong partnership with the Humboldt County School District and is working hand-in-hand with the teachers to try and increase scientific proficiency, environmental literacy, and cultural enrichment in order to ensure a well-rounded education for all students.