As part of California Proposition 84, $93 Million Dollars in grant money is available to California public non-profit organizations that inspire and educate the public.

Grant Website:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/?Page_id=26026

Application PDF:
http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/1008/files/nef_application_guide_2010.pdf

Nature Education Facilities Program

NEF TIMELINE

Application Due Date 07/01/10

Eligible institutions include those that:
Combine the study of natural science with preservation, demonstration and education programs that serve diverse populations
Institutions that provide collections and programs related to the relationship of Native American cultures to the environment, and
Institutions for marine wildlife conservation research.

Eligible applicants:
Public institutions including cities, counties, districts (as defined), California State Agencies and Non-profit organizations qualified to do business in California, and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Eligible projects:
Eligible projects include nature education facilities, buildings, structures and exhibit galleries that present collections to inspire and educate the public and marine wildlife conservation research equipment and facilities.

Program Lead:
Sandy Berry
Nature Education Facilities Program
Office of Grants and Local Services
(916) 651-7741
sberr@parks.ca.gov

By The Associated Press

MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Plans for the future National Museum of Forest Service History will be unveiled in Missoula on Tuesday, and officials say construction of the $12 million facility could begin within a year.

The first Forest Service district office was opened in Missoula in 1908 and eventually became the headquarters for Forest Service Region 1. Tom Tidwell, a former Region 1 supervisor who now heads the Forest Service, will present the plans.

The museum will be built on 36 acres about a mile west of Missoula International Airport. So far, more than $3.2 million has been raised to buy the site, on building design and on conceptual planning. Another $8 million must be raised to complete construction and to exhibit displays.

Features are expected to include a 3-D theater, an authentic ranger cabin and fire lookout, as well as a memorial tree grove. The museum is expected to house more than 40,000 exhibits, covering the history of the Forest Service and the lands and communities it influenced.

Information from: Missoulian, http://www.missoulian.com
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.

2 of 5 Stars

Posted: August 21, 2009

Coastal Discovery Museum at Honey Horn
70 Honey Horn Drive
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina  29925
(843)689-6767
www.coastaldiscovery.org

Category: Nature Center

Admission Price: $2 Suggested Donation

Size: approximately 8,000  sq. ft. of exhibits

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

From Coastal Discovery Museum:

“Mission Statement: To develop an understanding and appreciation of the cultural heritage and natural history of the Lowcountry through exhibits, hands-on experiences, tours, and a wide range of educational programs for people of all ages.”

My Review:

I love going to museums with my niece and nephew, first because I love spending time with them and second because they are the perfect ages, 5 and 7 years old.  I have a pet peeve about museums / visitor centers that appear to have run out of money when it comes to the exhibits.  The building in beautiful, the grounds are perfect and then you get inside the building and wonder, “where’s the beef”?

The Coastal Discovery Museum is such a place, there is only one interactive station and 8 large text panels and little else.  “How can this happen?”  (rhetorical question, the answer is: “poor project management”).

At some point (usulally six month before opening), someone realizes that the museum building is under construction, the landscaping is being planted; but “what are people going to do inside the building?”. Then,  I receive a phone call and it usually starts with, “We are opening our visitor center in six months and we would like some suggestions on the best type of exhibits? ”.   I politely answer the question then start to ask my own questions, “how long before the building is complete?”,  “Who is your audience?”, “What is your budget?”, “How much money do you have left for exhibits?”  (often the answer is “none”).

Don’t let your building and grounds drive your project, people will not visit a museum just to see the building, plan your project from the point of view of the visitor, “what is the visitor going to do?”.  I often refer to it as the “parking lot conversation”; when people have finished with their visit to your museum/visitor center/science center what will they be talking about?  My advice is design to the “parking lot conversation”.

Summary

• Not enough interactive exhibits (only one)
• Too much text
• Needs exterior signage
• Parking confusing
• Exterior wayfinding