Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Grant Funding Available for Environmental Public Involvement

By Alissa Ferrell and Jason Alberich, Public Participation Grant Officers, Waste 2 Resources Program

Students look for ingested plastic waste in seagull boluses (regurgitated waste)



Students conduct study of plastic waste washed up on the beach

Do you feel like public involvement in environmental issues is lacking? Do you find that funding for environmental education and outreach is scarce? Well, perhaps Ecology’s Public Participation Grant program can help.

Public Participation Grants competitively provide funding to not-for-profit public interest organizations and citizen groups. The grants encourage public involvement in monitoring contaminated site cleanup, waste reduction, and pollution prevention activities. They provide an opportunity for the public to have a voice and become directly involved in solving the state’s environmental problems.

The application period for the 2011-2013 Public Participation Grant cycle is now open.
A few examples of education and outreach projects that grant applicants might want to consider are:
  • Protecting Puget Sound.

  • Promoting recycling and reuse.

  • Preventing the use of toxic chemicals in and around the home.

  • Raising awareness and use of green building materials, methods, and services.

  • Increasing the recovery of organic materials for beneficial uses.

  • Sustainable living practices.

The projects must provide substantial and measurable public benefit to Washington residents through education and outreach.

Applications are due at the Department of Ecology, 300 Desmond Drive SE, Lacey, WA 98503 no later than 5:00 pm on Jan. 6, 2011.

We expect to have just over $1.8 million available for the 2011-2013 funding cycle. Public Participation Grants can fund up to $120,000 for a project. There is no requirement for matching funds. Selected applicants must complete their projects between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2013.

Visit our website to learn more about the program or get application materials.

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