Albuquerque Public Schools
APS Awarded Grant to Expand Outdoor Learning
New funding will support hands-on environmental education and field experiences for thousands of students through the new SHIFT program.
Albuquerque Public Schools has been awarded a $40,000 grant from the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division Outdoor Equity Fund to expand outdoor learning opportunities for students.
The grant is part of a $1.9 million statewide investment designed to connect more than 22,000 young people across New Mexico with outdoor education and recreation experiences.
At APS, the funding will support approximately 5,000 sixth-grade students through a new initiative called SHIFT (Systems, Humans, and Interconnected Futures Together). The program will engage students in place-based learning that builds environmental literacy through classroom lessons and outdoor field experiences.
Students participating in SHIFT will have the opportunity to explore ecosystems firsthand and strengthen their connection to the natural world, including visits to Valles Caldera National Preserve.
“Through this work, students engage in environmental stewardship, systems thinking, and real-world learning outside the classroom,” said Los Padillas Wildlife Sanctuary Resource Teacher Charlie Ciernia.
The program also emphasizes wellness, engagement and helping students build stronger connections to the land and their communities. SHIFT will launch as a pilot program next school year, with the goal of expanding access to outdoor learning for more APS students in the future.
“We’re excited about the continued growth of outdoor learning across APS and the opportunity to expand access for more students, especially through experiences that support wellness, engagement and connection to place,” Ciernia added.
This investment reflects a growing commitment to experiential education that inspires curiosity and prepares students for the future.