Deadline: August 15, 2008
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is an educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to the responsible enjoyment and active stewardship of the outdoors by all people, worldwide. Connect Grants provide direct support and training grants for organizations and people that serve culturally diverse communities. Grant awards range between $500 and $2500 and can be used for Leave No Trace educational materials and/or to cover the tuition of a Master Educator Course(s).
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/6838640

NAAEE is pleased to announce the availability of the following scholarship opportunities for the 2008 conference:
Affordability Scholarship -- A limited number of Affordability Scholarships will be awarded to provide discounted full conference registration to NAAEE members who have lower incomes and little or no financial support from their employer. (Students and retirees are not eligible.) Deadline: June 15, 2008
Diversity Scholarship -- Diversity is a key element of NAAEE’s formal Strategic Plan to enrich the field of environmental education. Diversity scholarships are an opportunity to promote interaction and exchange within a wide variety of cultures and perspectives. Deadline: June 15, 2008
The William B. Stapp College Student Scholarship -- The Stapp Fund was established in 2001 in honor of NAAEE international leader Dr. Bill Stapp (1930-2001) to help students from around the world attend NAA! EE's annual conference. Deadline: June 15, 2008
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/6838616

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is offering two types of grants to high school teachers to improve environmental education. There are grants for Professional Development and grants for Innovative Course Development. This year's deadline for applications is June 20, 2008. For more information, see http://www.neefusa.org/programs/ce_grant.htm

The New Jersey Technology Education Association is proud to announce a grant opportunity. The grant has been built around Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The grant is geared to support a STEM activity with the purchase of materials or equipment needed.

The selection will be done at the end of this school year and awarded over the summer or early September to make the funds available as soon as possible for planning and ordering.

Please take the time to review the application and apply. The deadlineis May 31, 2008.
PDF application: http://www.njtea.org/PDF/STEMgrantapplication2008-05-31.pdf
Word application: http://www.njtea.org/PDF/STEMgrantapplication2008-05-31.doc

For more information, contact:
Dave Janosz
Email: djanosz@njtea.org
NJ Technology Education Association
P.O. Box 292
Norwood, NJ 07648

PSEG Accepting Applications From New Jersey Teachers for Environmental Education Grant Program

Deadline: June 6, 2008

Public Service Enterprise Group ( http://www.pseg.com ), a New Jersey-based energy company, is accepting applications for its Environmental Education Grant Program.

The program is open to educators of grades K-9 who teach in: PSEG's electric or gas service areas; New Jersey schools within PSEG's Estuary Enhancement Program Areas; and Schools in New Jersey and Delaware located within PSEG's Emergency Planning Zone.

Grants are available to teachers who can successfully link their students' understanding of science, mathematics, computer science, and/or technology concepts with an enthusiasm and appreciation for the environment.

A total of $25,000 is available through the program this year. Grants will be made in amounts of up to $3,500 each, and may be used to purchase materials and equipment, take field trips, and develop curriculum-related activities.

Visit the PSEG Web site for more information and the application.

RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15012640/eegrants

The 2008 Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands will provide a fully-funded professional development experience for 30 educators to this World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean. Full time teachers and teacher librarians in grades 6-12 are encouraged to apply.

Application Deadline: May 9, 2008
Travel dates: November 22 - December 6, 2008
www.iie.org/programs/toyota/galapagos/galapagos_main_w_links.html

Administered by the Institute of International Education, the Toyota International Teacher Program offers study abroad opportunities for U.S. teachers.

Now in its third year, the Toyota International Teacher Program to the Galapagos Islands will travel with thirty secondary school educators in late November 2008 to the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Full-time teachers and teacher librarians in grades 6-12 from all fifty states and the District of Columbia are encouraged to apply for this fully funded international professional development opportunity.

Direct costs of participation (transportation, lodging, meals and all program activities) will be paid by Toyota. While in the Galapagos, program participants will have the unique opportunity to work in groups with Galapagueño teachers on the design of interdisciplinary environmental lessons. These lessons will be shared with the wider education community.

Deadline: June 1, 2008
These National Education Association (NEA) grants fund professional development experiences for individuals and fund groups for their collegial study. All professional development must improve practice, curriculum, and student achievement. The grant amount is $2,000 for individuals and $5,000 for groups.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/5781188

NAAEE is pleased to announce the availability of the following scholarship opportunities for the 2008 conference:
Environmental Education Scholarship for Academic Study in Host State -- A $500 or $1,000 scholarship which will include conference registration, will be awarded to at least one undergraduate or graduate student at a Kansas college or university, who is currently enrolled in a degree program that will prepare him/her to be an environmental educator in formal or non-formal setting. Deadline: May 1, 2008
Affordability Scholarship -- A limited number of Affordability Scholarships will be awarded to provide discounted full conference registration to NAAEE members who have lower incomes and little or no financial support from their employer. (Students and retirees are not eligible.) Deadline: June 15, 2008
Diversity Scholarship -- Diversity is a key element of NAAEE’s formal Strategic Plan to! enrich the field of environmental education. Diversity scholarships are an opportunity to promote interaction and exchange within a wide variety of cultures and perspectives. Deadline: June 15, 2008
The William B. Stapp College Student Scholarship -- The Stapp Fund was established in 2001 in honor of NAAEE international leader Dr. Bill Stapp (1930-2001) to help students from around the world attend NAAEE's annual conference. Deadline: June 15, 2008
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/5781170

The NJ DEP Division of Fish and Wildlife's Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) is making small ($1000 - $3000) matching grants available through the Conserve Wildlife Matching Grant Program. The grants are for projects directly related to wildlife diversity and education. Nonprofit organizations defined as a 501 (c)(3) or 501(c)(4) are eligible, and the deadline for requests is May, 1, 2008.
For more information please visit http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/ensp/cwgrant08.htm on the DFW Web site.

Brower Youth Awards (Deadline: May 15)

The Brower Youth Awards just launched the 2008 prize search for outstanding youth leaders.  We're looking for individuals ages 13-22 with the power and persistence to create environmental change.  The Brower Youth Awards honors six young people annually with a $3000 cash award and weeklong trip to the San Francisco Bay Area.  During that week, award recipients will participate in a week of media and public outreach and be recognized at an awards ceremony attended by 900 members of the public.  For more information visit http://www.broweryouthawards.org.

The NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program (HEP), in partnership with the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC), is releasing a request for proposals (RFP) for two programs:

-Program A: Habitat Restoration Planning grants
-Program B: Stewardship grants

A total of approximately $230,000 is available, including $140,000 for Habitat Restoration Planning Grants and $90,000 for Stewardship Grants.

These programs are intended to support the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary Program's Action Plan by addressing one or more of HEP's major goals. This year, HEP is seeking to fund one to three substantive projects in each category. The program also gives applicants the option to apply in one or both programs and to link the programs by making the habitat restoration planning project the focus of the stewardship project.

One evaluation criterion for this year's Habitat Restoration Planning proposals is the identification of potential funding sources to expand on the planning and/or to conduct the implementation phase of their project.

Full proposals are due by May 16 2008. Because this year HEP is looking to fund substantive Stewardship projects rather than previous years' approach of minigrants, applicants have the option of submitting a one-page summary to receive feedback on their projects prior to preparing a full proposal. The RFP is attached and posted online at www.harborestuary.org and www.neiwpcc.org along with the corresponding evaluation criteria to select award recipients.

Please forward this announcement to anybody that might be interested in applying.

Gabriela Munoz
Program Associate
New York-New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office
290 Broadway, 24th Floor
New York, New York10007
tel:212-637-3793
fax:212-637-3889
Munoz.Gabriela@epa.gov

Celebrate Urban Birds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites organizations and educators to apply for mini-grants to hold Celebrate Urban Bird events across the US.
Mini-Grants range between $100 - $1000. To qualify for a mini-grant applicants must:
• Submit the attached request for funding application by March 31st ,2008.
• Hold a Celebrate Urban Birds Event in 2008 ro introduce the public/students to birds (especially the sixteen focus species)
* Collect Celebrate Urban Birds data
* Distribute Celebrate Urban Birds kits to participants/students
* Iintegrate the arts
* To get people outside
• Stay in contact with the Lab of Ornithology
• Agree to submit a post-event report indicating (# of participants, self-report on success of event, photos, additional information about the activities/resources presented at the event) within one month of your event
• Agree to have photos, videos, summary of events, and participant comments posted on the Celebrate Urban Birds website: www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org to inspire others.

Priority will be given to organizations working with new and underserved audiences.
• Events must combine the arts and birds
• Events must bring attention to urban birds (we focus on 16 species - see www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org)
• Even better if ideas involve gardening for birds in cities

Please apply on the web: www.CelebrateUrbanBirds.org or via postal mail by March 31, 2008 to:
Celebrate Urban Birds!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
urbanbirds@cornell.edu
Organizations working with traditionally underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply. No experience with birds required.
For more information, please contact Celebrate Urban Birds:
urbanbirds@cornell.edu
Celebrate Urban Birds!
Application for Mini-Grants
Please submit this short application by: March 31st, 2008
Awards will be announced on a rolling basis.
1. Your name:
2. Name of your organization or group:
3. Address:
4. Phone Number:
5. Email address:
6. Date of your proposed Celebrate Urban Birds event:
7. Location of your proposed event:
8. Who do you expect will participate in your event?
9. How many participants do you anticipate?
10. Why do you want to hold an event?
11. Describe your proposed event:
12. How do you plan to integrate the arts?
13. How much funding are you requesting and what will you use the funding for? (note: mini-grants range from $100- $1000. You may not receive the amount you request.
Mini-grants will be based on need and impact of event).
14. Is there anything else you'd like us to know?
Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Karen Purcell
Celebrate Urban Birds!
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
159 Sapsucker Woods Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
(607) 254-2455 /(607) 254-2123
urbanbirds@cornell.edu

Deadline: Quarterly
The National Geographic All Roads Seed Grant Program funds film projects by and about indigenous and underrepresented minority-culture filmmakers. The program seeks filmmakers who bring their lives and communities to light through first-person storytelling. Grants range up to a maximum of $10,000 each.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/3743160

1. Closed
2.Sustainable Communities' Implementation Grant Program
The Municipal Land Use Center at the College of New Jersey with generous support from the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation is proud to offer a $15,000 matching grant program to New Jersey municipalities through its Sustainable Communities' Implementation Grant Program.The goal of the grant program is to support municipalities that have shown leadership, vision and commitment to creating sustainable community plans and programs.Municipalities that are taking on the tough sustainability challenge understand the value and benefit of linking their economic, social and environmental systems to meet their needs and those of future generations.This grant program will allow municipalities that have started the process of defining their sustainable future to begin to implement sustainable actions. Through this competitive grant solicitation, MLUC hopes to expand the number of community sustainability programs from which other New Jersey municipalities can learn.
For more information go to:http://www.tcnj.edu/~mluc/community/index.html
Only 5 grants will be awarded under this grant solicitation.Funding will be directed towards communities that have shown leadership, vision and commitment to support and create sustainable communities. If you have any questions Donna Drewes at drewes@tcnj.edu

Attention all Environmental Commissioners --
ANJEC has mailed application materials for the 2008Smart Growth Planning Grants to your commission at the town hall address. The application is also available as a pdf on our website: www.anjec.org/pdfs/Dodge2008Application.pdf

The program offers matching reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 each to municipalities or counties for land use plans, ordinances studies, or document reviews that protect natural resources and establish land use patterns envisioned in the State Plan.
The grant application deadline is Monday, March 31, 2008.

ANJEC
info@anjec.org
973-539-7547

This new National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Student Opportunities Web site provides information about NOAA educational opportunities, scholarships, internships, and fellowships. The site also provides student opportunities by geographic location, underrepresented communities, and opportunities specific to students with disabilities.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/2843192

Applications to attend the 2008 National Youth Science Camp (NYSC) are now available online at www.nysc.org/2008. Two graduating high school students will be selected to represent New Jersey at the all-expenses paid honors program which will be held from June 29 through July 26, 2008. To apply, please download the application packet from www.nysc.org/2008 and follow the enclosed instructions.

For more information about the NYSC, please visit www.nysc.org. The NYSC is hosted and operated by the National Youth Science Foundation (www.nysf.com).

For questions about the application process, please contact Ms. Susan Sliker at 609-984-6314 or by e-mail at sue.sliker@doe.state.nj.us.

For further information, contact Dean Anderson at (609) 292-2885.

For electronic copies or to apply on-line, please go to http://www.nj.gov/dep/eeawards/index.html

Electronic copies may be submitted to Barbara.Marshall@dep.state.nj.us

The Corporation for National and Community Service has joined with the Cartoon Network, National Basketball Association, the PTA and other organizations in the "Rescuing Recess" campaign, which aims to recruit volunteers to give 1 million hours this school year to support recess and physical activity in schools.

Schools wishing to participate in this year's Rescuing Recess program should visit http://www.cartoonrecessweek.com/ for more information. Top-recruiting schools from each state and the District of Columbia can earn $2,500 grants toward supporting physical activity programs and healthy lifestyle initiatives, as well as $250 gift certificates for sports merchandise. An ultimate winning school will be announced in June to receive a $25,000 cash grant and a recess rally event.

1. Forest Service Civil Rights Special Project funding.This pool of money is available for both internal (FS) and external (partner) projects related to diversity.As partners in natural resource management, many of you with explicit diversity or environmental justice missions, we thought you might consider it -- working in partnership with us.This is not a large pot of money, and usually there is only about 1 grant / city.Deadline is fast approaching: Oct 13 and we would need to work collaboartively on the proposal.Council on the Environment of NYC successfully applied for this funding last year.

2. The Conservation Fund.The National Forum on Children and Nature will identify 20 nationally significant demonstration projects in four key areas of health, education, the built environment, and media/culture that, individually and collectively, will provide substantial steps toward improved children's health and environmental stewardship and models for future action. This is NOT Forest Service funding, but it focuses on the issue of connecting children to nature, and is similar in spirit to the More Kids in the Woods funding that we circulated last year and succesfully applied for with Harlem Link Charter School.This looks like a major new initiative that is developing and we would be eager to partner with a local group on the research, evaluation, and application aspects of the project. All info is here: http://www.conservationfund.org/children_nature , as well as a link to an online application.Its a two-phase application.The deadline for the first phase is Oct 31.

3. NUCFACChallenge Cost Share Grants.I've just been FWD'ed this funding opportunity, which comes via the State and Private side of my agency.I wanted to pass it on as well.Although it says in the proposal that the deadline is passed, it has been extended to Oct 12.Previously funded projects are at: http://www.treelink.org/nucfac/.

4.More Kids in the Woods.Keep watching the http://www.fs.fed.us website because it is our understanding that more funding will become available at the end of October -- and if so it should be posted here.A bit more information on last year's recipients is here: http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/woods/index.shtml.Here is the last news release: http://www.fs.fed.us/news/2007/releases/05/kids.shtml

Deadline: Open
The National Geographic Society's Young Explorers Grants for 18-25 year-olds to pursue research, exploration, and conservation-related projects consistent with National Geographic's existing grant programs. Grants vary in amount ($2,000 to $5,000) depending on the significance of the project.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/yeg/

The Live Monarch Foundation (501c3) Educator Outreach Program is providing funding for 4,600 teachers throughout the United States to enroll into the National Campaign: to bring Monarch Butterflies into the classroom.This program provides education and materials to strengthen the Monarch’s 3,000 mile migratory route within North America by creating self sustaining butterfly gardens and refuges. Current extreme weather has eliminated early milkweed growth...your participation is critical.
This program will give you, your students and their parents an exciting, personal, educational and hands on experience. Materials will be provided for each participant to raise a virtual butterfly and start a real butterfly garden with professional instruction on each level of its maintenance and care, with insight into the shared responsibility of each person to protect our fragile environment one backyard at a time.
Each participant will receive all the tools necessary to make a visible difference in their community and the support necessary to keep the benefits growing.Recognition for personal results, group efforts, and community involvement are all part of the structured program, as is access to proven Free fundraising programs, materials, curriculum and discounted supplies if desired.You control the integration with your teaching objectives and personal goals.
Your email was added during the past year to the contact list for possible inclusion into this program through many students, other teachers and organizations whom we have reached.If you choose not to participate or if this message has been misdirected, nothing is required of you.Your email will automatically be removed from future mailings within 1 week unless you confirm your interest below and complete the registration to follow.If you need to change your email addresses or wish to nominate another educator for inclusion into this program just go or send them to www.LMF-Educator-Award.com/index.html and have them sign up. To learn more about us just follow the links on that page.
Current funds will be allocated to the first 4,600 registrants; additional registrants will be added in order to the wait list to await additional funds.All registrants will receive updates and our monthly newsletter. Register today and start whenever your schedule permits.
Please confirm your interest in this program, award updates, monthly newsletter, Free educational materials and special discounts by clicking the link below or copying and pasting it into your browser. There is no fee or obligation to join.
We need to determine what parts of our program you would like to participate in, and what materials are best suited for you and your students. Please go to www.LMF-Educator-Award.com/index.htmlto enroll and later choose your goals, interests and discounted materials you would like to receive. Please send your friends to this page as well for inclusion in our National campaign.

Live Monarch Foundation Staff
www.LiveMonarch.org
“One seed can change the world, we need you to plant it.”

The goal of the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™ is to elevate young people (including disadvantaged and at-risk youth) into leadership roles by engaging them in environmental stewardship projects.A $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to the author of the top Apprentice Ecologist essay.
http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND RAISE MORE MONEY!!!

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) have recently launched the Clean Water Fundraising Car Wash Program.This partnership allows charities and other non-profit organizations to sell car wash vouchers for washes at commercial car wash facilities to raise money, rather than hold fundraising car washes at schools and churches.

Participating car washes will provide charities and non-profit organizations with 50% off discounted car wash tickets that they can resell at face value.This is a situation where everybody wins!Charities and non-profit organizations raise money for their causes, NJDEP accomplishes their goal of protecting water quality, and car washes gain valuable exposure in the community.

PARKING LOT CAR WASHES POLLUTE OUR WATER

Did you know storm drains found along most streets and sidewalks are NOT connected to the sanitary sewer or to sewage treatment plants?When fundraising car washes are held in parking lots, pollutants such as dirt, soap, and oil, generated from those car washes, run off the parking lots into storm drains. These pollutants flow untreated into our bays, lakes, rivers, and streams impacting water quality and the animals that live in and around the water bodies.

How To Get Started
Go to http://www.cleanwaternj.org/car_wash_list.pdf for a list of participating car washes.Find a car wash near you.Give the car wash owner a call, and they will provide you with car wash vouchers to sell.Then go out and sell, sell, sell!

If one car wash costs $10, and
10 members of your organization sell 10 tickets each, you earn $500!!!
20 members of your organization sell 20 tickets each, you earn $2,000!!!

People who buy the car wash vouchers can then go to the participating car wash anytime they want to redeem their voucher, get their car washed, and protect the environment.

For more information, log onto www.cleanwaternj.org or www.cwonj.org, or call Doug Karvelas at 609-888-2568.

PLT is proud to announce it is expanding its GreenWorks! service-learning program.This year, $100,000 will be awarded to schools and youth organizations for environmental neighborhood improvement projects that involve youth with their community.

Since 1993, Project Learning Tree has distributed approximately $375,000 to fund over 700 grant projects in communities across the country. In 2007, PLT is making $100,000 available for "learning-by-doing" environmental projects that:
partner PLT educators and their students with local businesses or community organizations
combine academics with community service
engage elementary through college-age students in active learning about the environment
provide opportunities for student leadership.
There will be a second funding cycle in the Fall.

For more information, visit http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/31_41_44.html.

Kathy McGlauflin
Senior Vice President
American Forest Foundation
Project Learning Tree
1111 19th St. NW
Suite 780
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-2468
kmcglauflin@plt.org
www.plt.org

This compilation by the Green Schools Initiative catalogues funding sources for eliminating toxins, using resources sustainably, creating green, healthy spaces, and teaching stewardship.
http://www.greenschools.net/news/index.html

www.grantsalert.com

Apply Now for Club-Fostered L.L. Bean Stewardship Grants

Thanks to the generous support of L.L. Bean, the American Canoe Association is offering grants to local paddling clubs for volunteer-driven stewardship projects through its Club-Fostered Stewardship Program.

ACA and L.L. Bean have created this program to encourage and empower clubs and their members to undertake projects that address the stewardship needs of local waterways. Examples of eligible projects include cleaning up local waterways, establishing water trails, maintaining access areas, installing signage, and providing sanitary facilities.

Grants of up to $1,000 are available. Clubs and other groups that offer paddling programs may apply by submitting a simple, two-page application.

While ACA began to award grants this spring, additional funding is still available. Submit your application as soon as possible for best consideration.

For additional information, contact Paul Sanford, ACA Director of Stewardship and Public Policy, by phone at 703-451-0141, or send email to: psanford@americancanoe.org .

American Water (Parent Co. of NJ-Am. Water Co.) has anEnvironmental Grant Program!
Go to: http://www.amwater.com/awpr1/newsroom/press_releases/page11960.html
Contact Kimberly Cooper at 856-346-8207

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=pg&p=AboutLowes/outdoor/index.html
The Outdoor Classroom Grant Program provides outdoor, hands-on science education to students in grades K-12 and assists schools in enhancing their core curriculum in all subjects. Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine have partnered to create an outdoor classroom grant program to provide schools with additional resources to improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom.All K-12 public schools in the United States are welcome to apply.

This school year, the program will award grants up to $2,000 to at least 100 schools.In some cases, grants for up to $20,000 may be awarded to schools or school districts with major outdoor classroom projects. The grants can be used to build a new outdoor classroom or to enhance a current outdoor classroom at the school. This program only considers outdoor classroom proposals. Please submit all other grant proposals for community improvement projects and K-12 public school initiatives to the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation at www.lowes.com/community. After representatives from Lowe's, International Paper and National Geographic evaluate your grant application, you will receive International Paper's Life of the Forest Classroom Kit. The free kit, which contains 10 full-color posters, 10 teaching guides and 20 booklets, can be used in your classroom at your discretion.

Each poster in the series represents an essential element of our forests, their maintenance, their preservation, their history and how they are utilized to give us the products we need in our everyday lives.

The teaching guides provide further details on the specifics presented in the posters, and the booklet is an informative, colorful, and easy-to-read manual encompassing the many wonders of our forest.

To preview International Paper's Life of the Forest educational materials, visit www.iplifeoftheforest.com .

If your garden or habitat program is designed to support critical thinking and problem solving that deepens students' knowledge of standards-based subject matter, and improve students’ habits of inquiry, self-directed learning, and critical reflection, the NEA foundation wants to hear from you! Proposals for work resulting in low-income and minority student success with honors, advanced placement, or other challenging curricula are particularly encouraged. The grant amount is $5,000. For full details and to apply, visit the NEA Foundation Web site.

Grant Wrangler is a free grants listing service that makes it easy for teachers to find funding. To see the full list of funding opportunities, and to subscribe to the monthly e-newsletter, visit the Grant Wrangler Web site.

Red, White & Green Youth Action Campaign Launches with Grants

The Red, White & Green Youth Action Campaign, a new joint project of the nonprofit and nonpartisan Civil Society Institute and Youth Service America, announces the availability of 60 grants for young people, ages 15-25, to create community service projects that address climate change. The $500 grants will support younger Americans as they develop their voice and impact public policy on the critical issue of climate change...

http://www.pnnonline.org/article.php?sid=6773 & http://www.ysa.org/awards/

Applications for grants under $5,000 are accepted year-round. Check the Web site for grades K-6 and 7-12 application rules.

Deadline for grants over $5,000: February 1st or August 1st

The Toshiba America Foundation encourages teacher-led, K-12 classroom-based programs, projects, and activities that have the potential to improve classroom experiences in science, mathematics, and technology.

http://www.toshiba.com/taf/apply.html

Harvard University announced over the weekend that from now on undergraduate students from low-income families wil l pay no tuition. In making the announcement, Harvard's president Lawrence H. Summers said, "When only 10 percent of the students in Elite higher education come from families in lower half of the income distribution, we are not doing enough. We are not doing enough in bringing elite higher education to the lower half of the income distribution."

If you know of a family earning less than $40,000 a year with an honor student graduating from high school soon, Harvard University wants to pay the tuition. The prestigious university recently announced that from Harvard for free...no tuition and no student loans!

To find out more about Harvard offering free tuition for families making less than $40,000 a year visit Harvard's financial aid website at: http://adm-is.fas.harvard.edu/FAO/index.htm or call the school's financial aid office at (617)495-1581.

Enterprise Community Partners in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council will award planning grants of up to $5,000, through Green Communities, to affordable housing developers of environmentally healthy homes for low-income families in the United States. Grant to cover the cost of facilitating a charrette during pre-development and a post-construction sustainability training session.
http://enterprisefoundation.org/resources/green/greencharrettes.asp

Grants for local environmental programs and projects ranging from $500 to $5,000 will be available this spring through the Trust for Public Land.

Previous grants have paid for everything from Bayshore trash cleanups to long-term scientific monitoring projects on the bay. Each year, the trust and a board of local advisers chooses from proposals submitted by nonprofit and community groups, awarding $25,000 in all.

It's the 11th annual grant round from a $2.5 million Barnegat Bay conservation trust fund, which was financed with $2.5 million as part of a settlement between the state Department of Environmental Protection and the Ciba-Geigy Corp.

Since 1994, the Trust for Public Land has administered the trust fund for the DEP, making it one of the earliest and still the largest such partnerships between the agency and nonprofit conservation groups.

Trust officials say they are limited in making grant awards to nonprofit groups as defined under the federal 501(c)3 tax guidelines. However, schools and municipal entities, such as local environmental commissions, may still apply if they partner with a qualified nonprofit group, they say.

Trust officials are especially interested in public education efforts to teach people about the bay and its watershed, and in studies that will provide useful data for land-use and environmental planning efforts, according to Kathy Haake, a trust project manager and member grant review board.

Groups interested in applying for grants should contact Erin Maguire at the Trust for Public Land by e-mail at erin.maguire@tpl.org or by calling (973) 292-1100. Application forms can also be downloaded from www.tpl.org -- the trust Web site.

The Morristown-based trust has long been active around Barnegat Bay, having published two reports on the bay region's environment and it has preserved more than 10,000 acres of open space since the 1980s.

The New Jersey Audubon Society’s Nature Center of Cape May and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are once again providing grants to assist homeowners in lower Cape May County in developing wildlife-friendly landscapes on their property.

Known as WHIP grants, these funds offer cost-sharing assistance as well as technical expertise. Landowners can receive up to $300 toward establishing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that will improve habitat for local and migratory birds and butterflies in the southern part of the county.

In order to be eligible, applicants must own property in Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point, or Lower Township. For detailed application information, contact Gretchen Ferrante at the Nature Center of Cape May, 898-8848, or email her at gretchen.ferrante@njaudubon.org.

Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper, and National Geographic Explorer! classroom magazine outdoor classroom grant program to help schools improve their science curriculum by engaging students in hands-on experiences outside the traditional classroom. Grants up to $2,000 will be awarded to at least 100 schools and grants for up to $20,000 may be awarded to schools or school districts with major outdoor classroom projects. Proposals are reviewed three times a year.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/269054

New Nature-Connected Grants and Scholarships are Offered to Strengthen Self-Help, Counseling and Education that Improves Personal and Environmental Sanity.

To promote individual and professional well being, environmentally sound organic psychology funding helps sustain nature-based inner peace and cooperative relationships.

In a timely and passionate article entitled How You Can Come to Your Senses: What They Don't Teach You at Harvard or Yale (1), Ecological Psychologist Michael J. Cohen, Ed.D, describes a new grant and scholarship program now available for restoring personal and global balance. The program funds the application of a proven personal and environmental, nature-connecting tool called the Natural Systems Thinking Process (NSTP).

NSTP is an easily learned, on-line organic psychology that is guaranteed to help us overcome many troubles and dysfunctions. We learn how to save our sanity and health and reduce budgets by genuinely tapping our mind into the balance, grace and regenerative powers of authentic nature.

Cohen finds that any person who has had a good experience in nature, backyard, park or backcountry, enjoys activating their suppressed natural senses and appreciates the tenfold increase in benefits from their nature experiences.

NSTP takes us on extraordinary treks through the nature of our mind and of Earth, offering astonishing revelations about how to overcome the estrangement of our mentality from nature's balance. The cutting edge nature-connecting tool Cohen describes enables us to think and relate like nature's peace, cooperation and renewal energies work. The tool helps us increase our security by binding our mind with the way nature provides love, joy and well being for people and ecosystems. With reference to "God's Love," and quoting D. H. Lawrence, Cohen argues that it is essential to fund the use of NSTP because truly nature-connected people seldom display the dysfunctions we suffer:

Grants: http://www.ecopsych.com/2005grantapplication.html

Contact person:
Michael J. Cohen Director, Project NatureConnect 360-378-6313
nature@interisland.net http://www.ecopsych.com/

TO: Chief School Administrators / Charter School Lead Persons
FROM: Diane Schonyers, Director / Office of Strategic Initiatives & Accountability

The Office of Grants Appeals becomes aware of various grant opportunities from an assortment of sources and is sharing these opportunities in the hope of increasing awareness and ultimately, the funding to improve education.The following is a list of recently released grant opportunities that can be accessed through our grant website at http://www.nj.gov/njded/grants/other.shtml and are relevantto LEAs and/or other constituencies that may impact LEAs:

* Early Reading First (CFDA # 84.359A/B)
* Summer Seminars & Institutes (CFDA # 45.163)
* The MetLife Foundation Bridge Builders Grant
* Learning in the Arts for Children & Youth
* Access to Artistic Excellence
* Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants

I hope you find this information helpful towards reaching New Jersey's goal of increasing funding and student achievement.

Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation website - information on Environmental Education Grants.
http://www.mgaef.org/index.html

The Corporation for National & Community Service "Learn and Serve America Grant Programs."
School-Based Grant Program Deadline: Multiple (see guidelines)
See Web site for details.
http://www.learnandserve.gov/for_organizations/funding/nofa.asp

Awarded through a competitive application process, the Earthwatch Educator Fellowship Awards are considered based on geographic region, financial need, and the benefits that would result from participating in an expedition. Elementary, middle, and high school educators and administrators of any discipline are eligible to apply. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. http://www.earthwatch.org/education/educator/apply.html

The Outdoor Classroom Grant Program is a partnership of the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation, International Paper and the International Paper Foundation, and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER classroom magazine.As part of Lowe’s continued commitment to public education, Lowe’s will provide more than $200,000 in outdoor classroom grants to benefit public schools nationwide.

Teachers may apply for grants up to $2,000 by visiting www.Lowes.com/outdoorclassroom.

For school districts with major outdoor classroom projects, grants may be awarded for up to $20,000.All K-12 public schools in the United States (except Puerto Rico) are eligible to apply for a grant.

The Outdoor Classroom Grant Program partners would appreciate your help in announcing the availability of these grant funds through your media outlets and other contacts.

Rebecca Winn
Coordinator, Partnerships
International Paper
6775 Lenox Center Court
Memphis, TN 38115
901-419-2001

Order your free Life of the Forest educational materials from International Paper at www.iplifeoftheforest.com

http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.html
The Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other non-profit educational organizations for the purpose of establishing outdoor learning centers. The grant recipient learning centers are those which most successfully reflect the Wild Ones mission to educate and share information about the benefits of using native plants in our landscape and to promote biodiversity and environmentally sound environmentally sound practices. Only through this knowledge, can we appreciate humankind's proper place in the web of life.

Eligible Applicants -Schools, nature centers and other non-profit and not-for-profit places of learning including houses of worship with a site available for this stewardship project may apply for an SFE grant.

Eligible Projects -Project goals should focus on the enhancement and development of an appreciation for nature using native plants. Projects must emphasize involvement of students and volunteers and increase the educational value of the site. Creativity in design is encouraged, but must show complete and thoughtful planning. The use of and teaching about native plants and the native plant community is mandatory, and they must be appropriate to the local ecoregion and the site conditions (soil, water, sunlight). For further information on selection of local ecotype, go to Wild Ones native landscaping webpages. The project leader should be knowledgeable and committed.

Examples of appropriate projects are:
The design, establishment and maintenance of a native plant community such as prairie, woodland, wetland etc. in an educational setting such as an outdoor classroom.
Developing and maintaining an interpretive trail landscaped with native plant communities.
Developing a wetland area to study the effect of native vegetation on water quality improvement.
Group student-teacher research projects aimed at documenting the presence, behaviors, needs and contributions of various forms of wildlife and the impact of native plant species.

Starbucks Foundation Offers Funding for Youth Literacy Programs
Deadline: September 1 and March 1, annually

Through its Giving Voice program, the Starbucks Foundation (http://www.starbucks.com/foundation/), a philanthropic vehicle of the Starbucks Coffee Company, will fund programs for youth, ages 6-18, that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in the communities where they live.

The Starbucks Foundation invites Letters of Inquiry from qualifying organizations that work with underserved youth in one of two areas: 1)Arts & Literacy -- programs that innovatively address literacy and learning for the 21st century, provide high standards of excellence in mastering basic skills, and promote youth voices through a variety of venues; and 2) Environmental Literacy -- programs that offer place-based approaches to addressing environmental literacy and empower youth to be heroes for a sustainable environment in their own communities.

The foundation supports registered, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations in the United States, as well as Registered Charities in Canada, that deliver services to youth and address at least one of the program's action areas.

Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Visit the Starbucks Foundation Web site for program information, application procedures, and eligibility questions.

RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/3498/starbucks

For additional RFPs in Children and Youth, visit: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_children.jhtml

Lorie Christian
NMLA Administrator

Changes to the USDA's title 9006 program for rural agricultural use of renewable energy are aimed at bringing in more solar projects.Said Andy Olsen, Policy Advocate for the Environmental Law and Policy Center and a consultant to the USDA, "New rule changes this year should improve the odds for solar applications.We sought and won rule changes in 2005 that help solar projects.This program could help close the sale for rural solar energy projects, but there's only one month left to act".For the story and Tips for Successful Applications, see RenewableEnergyAccess at: USDA Rural Development:

Federal Grant Opportunity - U.S. Department of Agriculture

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will accept proposals for single or multi-year projects, not to exceed three (3) years, submitted to NRCS State Conservationists from eligible applicants.

The Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) is administered under the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and uses existing authority to enhance delivery of WRP.The WREP provides a mechanism for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to form special partnerships with others to improve or expand the delivery of WRP.

This request for proposals is to obtain partnership proposals: 1) that address wetland creation and enhancement efforts on easements enrolled in prior years, 2) where partners will contribute significantly to WRP technical assistance costs (In accordance with the Conservation Technical Assistance Program Description -- technical assistance is defined as: help provided by NRCS, and employees of other entities or agencies under the technical supervison of NRCS, to clients to address opportunities, concerns, and problems related to the use of natural resources); and 3) that provide assistance with managing easement projects.

The amount of $500,000 will be reserved for partnership proposals that address Bog Turtle habitat in the east and partnership proposals that address Ivory-Billed Woodpecker habitat in Arkansas.

NRCS estimates this request for proposals may result in addressing wetland restoration, creation, enhancement, and easement management on approximately 5,000 acres.Proposals are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Basin Area (Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Proposals must be submitted to the appropriate NRCS State Conservationist.Addresses are identified in the Appendix of the Request for Proposals.NRCS State Conservationists will submit to the NRCS National Headquarters, the top two (2) priority proposals based on State resource concerns and technical resource needs.Complete proposals will be evaluated by an agency review board at the national level.The review board will score proposals and provide scores along with recommendations for selection to the Chief, NRCS.

For technical assistance, please contact: Leslie Deavers, National WRP Manager at Area Code (202) 720-1062 or email at leslie.deavers@usda.gov

Link to grant summary: http://www.fedgrants.gov/Applicants/USDA/NRCS/2890/USDA-GRANTS-051705-001/Grant.html
* Includes a link to the full announcement

The Portland, Oregon-based Fund for Wild Nature ( http://fundwildnature.org/ ) provides money for campaigns designed to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, including actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity.

The fund provides support for advocacy, litigation, public policy work, development of citizen science, and similar endeavors, as well as media projects that have a clear strategic value and a concrete plan for dissemination of the final product. The fund does not support basic scientific research, private land acquisition, individual action or study, or conferences.

Special attention is given to ecological issues not currently receiving sufficient public attention and funding.

Proposals will only be accepted for projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The fund rarely provides grants to organizations with annual budgets greater than $250,000.

Visit the Fund for Wild Nature Web site for application guidelines and procedures, as well as examples of previously funded programs.

RFP Link: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/1332/wild

For additional RFPs in Environment, visit: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_environment.jhtm