BUDDY BISON® SCHOOL PROGRAM
BECAUSE KIDS NEED PARKS and PARKS NEED KIDS
The Buddy Bison School Program, established in 2009, is a non-profit national environmental education program that engages predominantly elementary and middle school students with local, state, and national parks and other public lands and waters.
We work with public, public charter, and private schools and local and national partners including the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service to help students explore and use parks and public lands as outdoor classrooms. Students learn about 1) lessons in STEM, history and social studies, 2) the health and wellness benefits of outdoor recreation and 3) their role as our future stewards of parks and the environment.
As a park-focused non-profit environmental education program, we only provide funding for Title 1 schools but many schools who do not lack resources also participate and benefit from the Buddy Bison School Program. Currently, 60 Title 1 schools receive funding spanning 15 states and Washington, D.C.
To learn more about our school program, contact, Billy Schrack, director of youth programs at William@parktrust.org or call 301.279.7275 ext. 20. To learn how you can support a school in your community, contact Maryann Kearns, director of development at Maryann@parktrust.org or call 301.279.7275.
Buddy Bison Schools
Check out our Buddy Bison schools across the country. To learn how you can support a school in your community, contact Maryann Kearns, director of development (301) 279-7275 ext. 15.
Buddy Bison Resources
Print and go! Take these activities with you where ever you go: from your local city park – to your national park or any other public land and water. There’s something here for every outdoor nature space!
Buddy Bison Ambassadors
Clich here to meet our Buddy Bison Student Ambassadors: Tigran Nahabadian from California and Sarah Hullihen from New Jersey!
Get Your Own Buddy Bison
Get your very own Buddy Bison to bring on your adventure. Each Buddy Bison purchased helps get a kid to a park! *Banana Slug not included
Share Your Park Adventures
Share your park adventures with us! Learn more about sharing on our social media platforms.
Mascot Rental
Find out how to have Buddy Bison at your next park event! Click here to learn more or contact Emily Edgar at (301) 279-7275 xt. 22.
Every Kid in a Park Pass
Hey 4th Graders! Get your Voucher for a free pass to all federal parks and public lands here. Then get out and go!
NPT Recognized for Getting Kids to Parks
Outdoors Alliance for Kids (OAK) presented NPT with an inaugural OAK Leaf Award which recognized our “leadership and collaboration in connecting kids with nature.” Read more.
