Thousands of New Mexico schoolchildren will have the chance to develop more than a passing acquaintance with nature in the years ahead, thanks to a series of grants recently awarded to local organizations.

The Outdoor Equity Fund grants, distributed by the Outdoor Recreation Division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department, are designed to break down barriers by helping finance programs that enable underserved young people to build lifelong connections to the outdoors, according to the program website.

Seven local groups received Outdoor Equity Fund grants recently that total more than $240,000, according to a news release from the city of Santa Fe Office of Economic Development.

Among them is the Institute for Applied Ecology, a nonprofit organization based in Santa Fe and Co

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