Nicole Lise Manzanita Elementary School

The Rincon Rotary Club is proud to award a classroom grant to a local kindergarten class to support their Desert Tortoise Habitat Project. This hands-on initiative will give young students the opportunity to welcome a one-year-old desert tortoise into their classroom and learn about habitats, living and non-living things, and the responsibility of caring for an animal. Grant funds will help create both indoor and outdoor habitats that provide proper heat, lighting, and protection while allowing students to observe and care for the tortoise year-round. Through this project, students will gain meaningful lessons in science, empathy, and environmental stewardship—values that align beautifully with Rotary’s commitment to education and community service.