California B-WET funds locally relevant, authentic experiential learning for K-12 audiences through Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs). MWEEs involve learning both outdoors and in the classroom as students engage in issue definition, outdoor field experiences, synthesis and conclusions, and action projects. The goal is to increase understanding and stewardship of the ocean, its local watersheds, and special areas like national marine sanctuaries. Projects advance the Next Generation Science Standards, the California Environmental Literacy Standards, and the Ocean and Climate Literacy Essential Principles.

This year, COVID-19 has significantly impacted the ability of environmental education providers to engage with schools and therefore meaningfully reach students and teachers. The loss of programs will have lasting repercussions on the targeted audiences of these programs and to the institutions who provide these services. The NOAA B-WET program recognizes that support is needed to bridge the gap that has been created by the loss of revenue, the cancellation of programs, and the inequities that are being exacerbated by the pandemic. 

Given this, the CA B-WET funding announcement focuses on the following priority areas: 1) Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) Implementation in School Districts (professional development for teachers and student experiences), 2) Teacher Professional Development for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs), 3) Meaningful Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and 4) Continuation Projects that Focus on Student MWEEs.

The full fiscal year 2021 funding opportunity can be found at Grants.gov under funding opportunity number NOAA-NOS-ONMS-2021-2006749. Visit the California B-WET webpage for more information.

Deadline: February 16, 2021 
Areas served: Monterey Bay watershed — the counties of San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, and San Luis Obispo; San Francisco Bay watershed — the counties of Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and Santa Rosa; and Santa Barbara Channel watershed — the counties of Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Contact: Seaberry Nachbar, NOAA National Marine Sanctuaries, 831-647-4201, seaberry.nachbar@noaa.gov