Moriarty Elementary
Grants Awarded
Moriarty Elementary will implement a new outdoor learning partnership with Nature Niños to serve all fifth-grade students during the 2026–2027 school year. This program is designed to address common barriers to outdoor recreation faced by rural families, including limited transportation, lack of equipment, and limited access to guided outdoor learning opportunities. The primary goals of the program are to provide equitable access to outdoor recreation, increase students’ confidence and comfort outdoors, build basic outdoor safety and stewardship skills, and deepen students’ understanding of their local environment. The program also aims to support student well-being by offering consistent, relationship-based outdoor experiences during the school day. All fifth-grade students at Moriarty Elementary will participate. This is a new partnership for Nature Niños in the Moriarty community, and intentional planning will take place to ensure the program reflects local needs. Family and staff input will be gathered through short surveys and conversations to help identify access barriers and shape programming in a way that best serves students. Outdoor activities funded by the Outdoor Equity Fund will include a combination of on-campus and off-campus experiences. On-campus sessions will take place on the school grounds and will include nature observation, journaling, outdoor safety lessons, local ecology exploration, and small stewardship activities. Off-campus experiences will include a guided outdoor excursion to a nearby public land site selected for safety and accessibility. Nature Niños will provide curriculum, trained educators, materials, and program coordination. By the end of the program, students are expected to show increased comfort and confidence outdoors, greater awareness of local ecosystems, and a stronger sense of connection to their environment. Moriarty Elementary will also gain a tested model for integrating outdoor learning into the school experience that can be continued in future years. Programming will take place during the 2026–2027 academic year, beginning in fall 2026. Activities will occur on the Moriarty Elementary campus and at nearby public land sites coordinated with land managers and district field trip procedures.
Moriarty-Edgewood School District cultivates educational excellence through positive relationships by inspiring each student to excel today and tomorrow through diverse learning pathways and embracing innovation for every student’s success. Collaboration any organization or stakeholder, we are committed to the following principles: Students First: Meeting diverse needs through relationships and rigorous education. Trust: Building confidence via integrity and character. Collaboration: Success through teamwork of all stakeholders. Moriarty Elementary School is a public K–5 school within the Moriarty-Edgewood School District, serving a rural community in central New Mexico. The school supports a diverse student population, with a significant proportion of students qualifying for free or reduced-price meals and requiring additional academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. Moriarty Elementary has been operating as a community school for five years, intentionally integrating academics, health services, family engagement, and community partnerships to address barriers to student success. Recent accomplishments include the establishment of a School-Based Health Center serving students and staff, expanded access to mental health supports, and the development of partnerships that provide wraparound services and enrichment opportunities. These efforts have reinforced the school’s commitment to equity, whole-child development, and long-term student success.