OpportunityTitle: Operate Environmental Education Center and Volunteer Program at CUVA
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Notice of Intent to Award without Competition - Continuation and Unique Qualifications:  The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been a key operating partner of Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) since our first Agreement in 1988.  Since the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center opened its doors in 1994, the Conservancy has expertly managed the operations of CVEEC in partnership with the NPS.  In addition, the Conservancy raises funds each year so that children in urban schools in Cleveland and Akron, who otherwise could not afford to experience a residential environmental education program in a national park, have the opportunity to do so.  The remainder of the 2011-2012 school year is already booked to capacity.  The Conservancy has been instrumental in working with the park for the past 23 years to implement numerous interpretive and educational programs for children and adults, create unique special events, and enable the development a very successful Environmental Education Program.      In addition, the Conservancy has two full-time staff who work collaboratively with the park&#146;s Volunteer Program Manager.  This team of three has grown the park&#146;s Volunteer Program over the past two years by over 50% (to over 5,700 volunteers) and has developed a variety of new and creative opportunities for volunteers, allowing them to get involved and become park stewards/ambassadors.   and 1)  The Conservancy is a local non-profit organization based in the Cuyahoga Valley and has strong ties and long-standing, trusted relationships with the surrounding communities in the park.  2)  The Conservancy owns Trail Mix, a small store located adjacent to the Towpath Trail, but outside of park boundaries.  This store serves as a hub for park visitors to gather and as central location for park visitors to obtain information about the park and its programs.  3)  The Conservancy also owns all of the furniture and appliances at the Stanford House, which is utilized mainly for Environmental Education programming purposes.  4)  The existing volunteer base of 5,700+ people assist the organization with everything from hosting special events; to leading public programs in the areas of education, cultural arts, and nature; and removing invasive species, to name a few.  These volunteers also include the Board of Trustees made up of 30 dedicated community leaders from the Cleveland and Akron areas.  5)  The Conservancy actively fund-raises (approximately 50% of its operating budget) to help support its operation and programs.  The Conservancy&#146;s reputation and skilled staff have also enabled the organization to bring additional support to the park through various in-kind donations of equipment and skilled, technical labor.  6)  The Conservancy&#146;s staff brings a high level of educational, arts, marketing, and customer service expertise that the NPS alone could not provide.
Description: The purpose of the agreement is to continue the 23-year partnership that the NPS has had with Conservancy to work collaboratively to provide community involvement through high quality interpretive, educational, and cultural arts programming, as well as through a variety of unique and valuable volunteer opportunities, that ultimately help create a cadre of CVNP stewards who are informed and invested in the work of the national park. This agreement also allows for the continuation of a nationally recognized residential environmental education program in CVNP.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: email
GrantorContactText: Tonya Bradley &lt;br/&gt;Contract Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 402-661-1656