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University of Wyoming

Brenda Bell Receives Citigroup Foundation Grant

April 11, 2006 (Laramie, WY) -- A highly competitive grant, offered by Citibank Foundation and Women and Company, has been awarded to one of UW’s own Community Enrichment Instructors. 

Brenda Bell, who has been an instructor for Community Enrichment for 3 years, intends to use the grant to help develop her business, Nature’s Nook and Cranny. She plans on using the money to help provide inventory so she can then reinvest the profit back into the store.

Of the 120 applicants, Bell was one of five grant allocates.  Some of the requirements for the grant include being a current or past client of the Wyoming Women’s Business Center, considered to have low or moderate income, currently operating a legally licensed business, have a business that will be improved and strengthened by the infusion of an equity award of $2,230 and agree to cooperate and share necessary information as it relates to the Women and Company.

“One of the biggest selling points on my grant application was the detailed business plan that I had prepared,” said Bell. 

Bell has been a naturalist at heart since she was a little girl growing up in Minnesota. 

“Naturalists are my heroes,” said Bell.  She received a Wildlife degree and then went on to pursue a Science teaching degree from the University of Wyoming.  After receiving her Science teaching degree, Brenda spent time substitute teaching until 2 years ago when she received her first grant from Yinsite.  The grant from Yinsite helped her get started in the Environmental Education business.

Bell currently offers nature programs at her store in West Laramie and through the Community Enrichment Programs at the University of Wyoming.  Brenda will be offering a variety of educational programs for children and adults alike this summer.  In the future, an expansion to her own location is highly anticipated. 

“I want to grow in size and would love to add an eco-tourism aspect to the business,” Bell added. 

If you would like to visit Nature’s Nook and Cranny, you can stop by 1979 Snowy Range Road.  Open hours are Monday – Friday from 9:30 am – 5 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

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For more information on any Community Enrichment class, please contact Amy Gronke at (307) 766-6801 or algronke@uwyo.edu.  A complete listing of classes available can be found at http://outreach.uwyo.edu/enrichment. 


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For more information, please contact
Sheila Atwood-Couture at
(307) 766-5641 or satwood@uwyo.edu.