North Carolina's Governor Roy Cooper, alongside the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson, unveiled the “Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund" today—a significant allocation of funding aimed at broadening the educational horizons for the state's public school students through field trips. An amount of $1 million has been earmarked to facilitate these educational excursions to venues under the DNCR’s purview. The initiative was declared at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, symbolizing the commitment to providing hands-on learning experiences outside traditional classroom settings.

"This program will help ensure that public school students have the opportunity to take field trips regardless of barriers like cost or location," Governor Cooper remarked in a statement detailing the fund's aspirations. The resources are intended for K-12 public schools across North Carolina, with special priority assigned to Title I eligible schools. While the door to this educational enrichment has been flung wide open, it's the students facing economic or locational disadvantages who stand to gain the most.

According to the announcement on Governor Cooper's website, the Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund extends reimbursements to public schools partaking in visits to a variety of DNCR-managed destinations. This encompasses a spectrum of sites from state parks and historic sites to zoos and aquariums. "DNCR has more than 100 locations across the state where students can engage with science, history, art and nature," said Secretary Reid Wilson.

A portion of the fund is set aside for schools in Western North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. DNCR's concerted effort with this new "Learning Happens Here" initiative reinforces a half-century tradition of fostering a love of learning among the youth of North Carolina.