Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
Grants Awarded
The Outdoor Classroom Program (OCP) enhances academic success and fosters a connection to the outdoors and heritage for New Mexico children through field trips, curriculum guides, and teacher training. By collaborating with local schools and various cultural institutions, the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC) provides interactive educational experiences in natural settings, promoting ecological understanding and hands-on learning that benefits both students and the surrounding community.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC) aims to broaden its 5th Grade Ecology Field Program to ensure all students in New Mexico, especially those in Title 1 schools in rural areas, have access to hands-on, science-focused outdoor education. By providing these opportunities, the program seeks to enhance environmental awareness and foster a connection to nature among participants and their communities.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center seeks to enhance its trail network for improved safety and accessibility, benefiting thousands of 5th graders and community members who utilize the trails annually. By employing the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC) and Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC), the program will foster sustainable outdoor education and strengthen community engagement with nature.
The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center (SMNHC) is located in the east mountains outside of Albuquerque in Cedar Crest, New Mexico. It is owned by Albuquerque Public Schools and jointly operated by Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science (NMMNHS). Environmental educators have been providing programming for the children of New Mexico here since 1967. The Sandia Mountain Natural History Center was honored as an Outstanding Environmental Education Organization by Environmental Education of New Mexico in 2019. The SMNHC’s primary program is an Ecology Field Program for 5th grade classes throughout the area to travel to the mountains to experience the ecosystem first-hand through hiking, doing hands-on and science-based activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, learning from their instructor and nature itself, understanding ecosystem connections, and sharing their observations and questions throughout. All APS 5th graders attend this program, as well as many from Rio Rancho Public Schools and other area schools and districts. Sandia Mountain Natural History Center educators also lead Traveling Ecology Field Programs for 5th graders all over New Mexico, designed a new program for and teach all APS 3rd graders at Los Padillas Elementary School in the South Valley, teach special programs for other grade levels on a variety of subjects, and conduct teacher workshops. Additionally, instructors create curriculum, lessons, videos, and other resources for outdoor, classroom, and home usage; host and take part in public events, conduct scientific research and monitoring, reach out to the public through social media, and collaborate with other area and statewide organizations. Staff are always searching out new ways to innovate and be more involved with outdoor educational opportunities statewide.