The money comes from the N.C. GlaxoSmithKline Foundation through a grant to the N.C. Arboretum Society and will support five years of program expansion. The funds will expand three project-based outdoor education programs — Project OWL, an environmental education certification program for pre-service and active K-5 teachers; Project EXPLORE, a teacher coaching program for K-12 teachers; and ecoEXPLORE, an out-of-school citizen science program for K-8 students. 

The arboretum has already rolled out one or more of these programs in 23 counties and will work with school systems, county library systems, local and state parks, environmental education centers, colleges and universities, government agencies and other partners to continue expanding.