LINKS

LINKS is an interdistrict environmental education program that brings together fourth grade students from urban and suburban areas of Fairfield County, CT to learn about interrelationships in nature and the diversity that supports our regional ecosystems. The purpose of this partnering is to increase student awareness, understanding, and appreciation of diversity in nature and our human society. By focusing on a shared scientific exploration of natural communities, LINKS aims to increase student academic achievement while reducing racial, ethnic and economic isolation.

During the 2009/10 school year, LINKS will involve 675 students from a total of eight schools in Norwalk and New Canaan. Students will participate in five class partnership meetings and three Saturday workshops. Student partners correspond between meetings to reduce student isolation while developing bonds with their partners that support the next LINK session. Each LINKS session has a different theme and all programs portray diversity in nature and its interconnection with humanity.

In its 15th year LINKS is the New Canaan Nature Center's largest school program. This award-winning program's longevity speaks to our success in working to bridge understanding between communities as well to convey core concepts such as the importance of interconnections in healthy human communities and natural ecosystems.

LINKS is funded largely through the Connecticut State Department of Education's Interdistrict Cooperative Grant Program. In addition, current and past LINKS funders include the Fairfield County Community Foundation, Inc., the Barnes Foundation, the United Way of New Canaan, the Daphne Seybolt Culpeper Foundation and the Elizabeth Carse Foundation.