HOUSTON - The Houston Parks and Recreation Department has received a $40,000 grant through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP). These funds will enable around 3,400 inner city youth to participate in Houston PARKS Adventure, a collaborative, community-based program that promotes nature education, conservation, and outdoor recreation through innovative and affordable programming designed to spark their interest in nature-based activities. Children participating in HPARD’s After School and Summer Enrichment Programs at twenty-five community centers in Houston will have the opportunity to learn about the natural world through after-school instruction, camping, birding, fishing, archery, and more.

TPWD developed the CO-OP in 1996 to help introduce underserved populations to environmental education, conservation, and outdoor recreation programs. This year, thirty-nine organizations will benefit from nearly $1.5 million to help connect Texas communities with their natural environment, provide hands-on environmental education, and introduce underserved communities to outdoor recreation skills. The program is authorized by the Texas Legislature through TPWD’s budget as a specialized component of the Texas Recreation and Parks Account Program. Grants may be used to pay for equipment, transportation, liability insurance and up to 40% of staffing costs.

CO-OP grant funding is available to tax-exempt non-profit organizations, municipalities, universities and local school districts. Over the last twenty years, nearly 700 CO-OP grants have been awarded.