News

1. GRN Directory Update

2. River of Words Poetry and Art Contest – Due Feb. 15

3. Georgia Water Coalition Recruiting Now!

Group Spotlight

4. Soque River Watershed - Association Hires New Director

5. Georgia Wildlife Federation Starts Camo Coalition

Workshops/Conferences/Calendar Items

6. GRN Annual Conference - Milledgeville

7. GEC Legislative Reception - Atlanta

8. Stormwater Management Using Locally-Based Planning Tools- Athens

9. USGS Workshop – Herndon, VA

10. Forest Workshop – Atlanta

11. Lobbying for Public Charities - Online

Policy

12. New Solicitation Rules for Non-profits

13. 2005 Legislative Session Kicked Off

Fundraising

14. Fundraising Deadlines

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1. Directory Update

Please visit our online watershed group directory at www.garivers.org to check that the information on your group is up to date. We will be doing a print version of this directory the end of January and would like to make sure all information is current. If you have any updates, please email info@garivers.org or call Dana Skelton at 706-549-4508.

2. River of Words Poetry and Art Contest ~ Enter by Feb. 15
River of Words is an international environmental poetry and art project designed to nurture respect and understanding of the natural world. Students learn their "ecological address" by honing their observation skills and describing through poetry and art, their "place in space." Each year eight students are chosen as National Grand Prize Winners and receive a trip to Washington DC. The contest is open to youth ages 5-19. U.S. entries must be postmarked by February 15. Get complete details and an entry form at www.riverofwords.org. In Georgia, River of Words is coordinated by the Georgia Center for the Book and Georgia Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) who recognize winners at an awards ceremony each year. Award winning poetry and art is put on display in the Georgia River of Words Exhibition, which travels to schools, libraries, conferences, festivals, parks and public buildings. To receive a FREE Teacher's Guide, send your name, organization, complete mailing address, phone number, fax, and e-mail to Petey Giroux at: Petey_Giroux@dnr.state.ga.us.

3. Georgia Water Coalition Recruiting New Members – Join Now!
The Georgia Water Coalition would like to increase and diversify its list of 103 member organizations. The Coalition especially needs representation from the Ochlocknee, St. Mary’s, Suwannee and Tallapoosa. It’s easy to join. There is no fee. Participation in coalition activities takes only as much time as your group wants to give. All you have to do to join is sign the participation statement that says your group agrees with the principles of the Coalition. Visit http://www.gwf.org/gawater/participation.html.

4. Spotlight on Soque River Watershed Association

Soque River Waterhed Association’s Executive Director, Justin Ellis, has headed off to graduate school at UGA. Good luck Justin and thanks for all of your hard work! SRWA is pleased to announce that David Sligh has accepted the position of Executive Director and took the helm, effective January 1st. David has been involved in Watershed Protection for most of his life. After graduating from the University of Virginia in Environmental Science, Sligh spent 13 years working for the State of Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality. Recognizing the critical foundation that policy affects on environmental protection he returned to school and acquired a law degree from the Vermont School of Law. Following law school David moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee and became the Southeast Field Representative for American Rivers advocating for rivers across the South. David can be reached at dsligh@soque.org.

5. Georgia Wildlife Federation Starts Camo Coalition
The purpose of the Coalition is to organize sportsmen and women across Georgia to act quickly if there is an issue affecting wildlife management or outdoor recreation interests. GWC commits to arming members of the coalition with the facts and information necessary to protect Georgia’s hunting and fishing legacy for future generations. As issues that need attention arise, GWC will send action alerts (most often via email) that will provide the facts so coalition members can voice their opinions to the appropriate decision-makers. To learn more, visit www.camocoalition.org.

6. GRN Annual Conference – Register Now
Georgia River Network Conference 2005 - "The Land-Water Connection"
February 18 - 20, 2005 at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA

· Keynote Speakers
American Rivers Citizens' Agenda for Rivers
Update on the Statewide Water Planning Process by Nap Caldwell, GA EPD
The Importance of Headwater Streams by Dr. Judy Meyer, University of Georgia
Biodiversity by George Folkerts, Auburn University

Three informative tracks:
The Land Connection - Presented by Center for Watershed Protection and the UGA River Basin Center
Organizations That Make An Impact - Featuring a funders forum, information on how to work with legislators, tips for effective outreach programs and technology options for your watershed group.
Understanding Your Watershed - Track Chaired by Georgia Adopt-A-Stream
Friday Night Pizza Social
Featuring a presentation by Brad Sanders, author of "Guide to William Bartram's Travels"
Saturday Night Party
Featuring a live auction, River Celebration Awards, River Jam, food and drinks
Field Trips - Conservation Flights by Southwings and tour of Georgia Power Plant Branch
Networking opportunities and Exhibits
Cost
GRN Member Rate - $80 before February 4, 2005, $90 after February 4, 2005 or
GRN Non-member Rate- $95 before February 4, 2005, $105 after February 4, 2005.

Visit www.garivers.org for registration and information or call 706-549-4508.

Sponsored By Georgia College and State University: Department of Biological Sciences, School of Education and Office of Academic Outreach; University of Georgia River Basin Center
River Jam Party / River Celebration Awards Sponsor - Georgia Water Coalition; Georgia Wildlife Federation Camouflage Coalition; Bron Cleveland and Associates
Saturday Breakfast Sponsor - Georgia Wildlife Federation
Lunch Sponsor - Georgia Wildlife Federation; Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper
Conference Sponsors – Canoochee Riverkeeper, Georgia Wildlife Federation; Satilla Riverkeeper; Save Our Satilla; Stack and Associates

7. GEC 2005 Legislative Reception - Atlanta
The GEC 2005 Legislative Reception will be held Wednesday, January 26, 2005 from 6:00 – 8:30pm at Southface in Atlanta. Legislators to be honored at this event include Rep. Wendell Willard, Republican, 49th District, Atlanta and Rep. Joe Wilkinson, Republican, 52nd District, Sandy Springs. For more information, contact chassell@mindspring.com. Admission: $15 donation per person.

8. Stormwater Management Using Locally-Based Planning Tools – Lawrenceville
A workshop hosted by University of Georgia and Georgia Department of Community Affairs to be held February 3, 2005 in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
Visit http://www.engr.uga.edu/service/outreach/.

9. USGS Workshop – Herndon, VA
" Linking hydrological change and ecological response in streams and rivers of the eastern United States" 8-10 February 2005. Registration deadline is January 24, 2005. Visit www.lsc.usgs.gov/NARL/workshops/index.html

10. Forest Workshop - Atlanta
Georgians’ health, economic stability, and chances to relax and renew are directly tied to our National Forests and the citizens who oversee these lands. Join Georgia ForestWatch and Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition for the FREE Forest Voices Workshop Saturday, January 22, from 10:00 to 3:00 at REI in Atlanta. The Forest Voices Workshop: 5 Easy Ways to Make a Difference in Your National Forest highlights the connection between healthy people and healthy forests – such as clean air and water for Atlanta and surrounding communities, capital for the billion dollar tourism and recreation industries, and places of solitude for both mental and spiritual health. The workshop’s accompanying handbook provides fast and easy tools for making these public values a personal responsibility. This workshop is FREE and open to the public. Pre-registered guests will be provided lunch. To register, contact the Forest Coalition at safc@safc.org or 888-8forest.

11. Lobbying for Public Charities – Online
Lobbying for Public Charities 1 will be presented on January 19th at 2pm EST. Lobbying for Public Charities 1 explains the law governing 501(c)(3) lobbying. It includes discussions of the 501(h) election, lobbying limits under 501(h) and the Insubstantial Part Test, the definitions of direct and grassroots lobbying, and the application of these rules to ballot measure activity. "The Essentials for Representing Nonprofits and Foundations Online" offers the same training as our regional ALAN seminars in 7 weekly one-hour sessions on Wednesdays and the time for each will be 2pm-3pm EST. Like the regional seminars, the online training series concentrates on tax and election law for attorneys and accountants representing nonprofit organizations and foundations. Do you need to be an attorney or accountant to take part? Not necessarily, but remember these trainings have been developed for that audience. Sign up for some or all of the series. Each session is on a different topic and costs $30. All who sign up receive a PDF copy of the presentation to print out for future reference. To sign up for more than one session at a time please contact Robin Powers at rpowers@afj.org.

12. New Solicitation Rules for Non-Profits (thanks to Alliance for Justice)

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) passed a new rule, effective January 2005 that redefines how contributions resulting from certain fundraising solicitations are treated under federal election law. If a fundraising solicitation suggests that any portion of the funds collected will be used to support or oppose the election of a federal candidate (does not apply to state candidates), all contributions in response to the solicitation will now be treated as political contributions under federal election law (see 11 CFR 100.57). The new solicitation rule applies to all corporations, including 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), 501(c)(6), and 527 organizations, among others. It also applies to organizations that are Qualified Nonprofit Corporations. If an organization receives $1,000 in contributions in response to this type of fundraising solicitation, the organization may become a "political committee" under federal election law and must begin detailed reporting to the FEC. Regardless of your organization's tax-exempt status, the rule would be triggered if your fundraising solicitation suggests to the recipient that contributions will support or oppose any federal candidate's election efforts. Examples of solicitations that will trigger the rule:

* Electing Joe Smith is crucial to our efforts to preserve the environment. Please send us money so we can be successful in this cause.

* Our group strives to preserve Social Security, and Rep. Jones has a great plan to protect this vital program. The Congressman needs our help to stay in Washington. Give now to help us fight to save Social Security.

If the text of your message suggests that any portion of the funds will be used to support or oppose a federal candidate for office, the rule will apply. The FEC will not look at the organization's intent, the timing of the message, or the targeted audience. The message does not need to refer to a specific federal candidate by name. The new rule could also be triggered by language implying that contributions would be used to generally influence a federal election.

As long as your solicitation does not suggest that contributions will support or oppose candidates, your message may still support or oppose policy issues. Sample solicitation language that will NOT trigger the new rule: * The President supports an increase in education funding. Our group has been fighting for better schools since 1960, and we will fight for the President's education budget. Send us money for our important work. Sample solicitation language that WILL trigger the new rule: *The President wants to increase education funding. Our group has been fighting for better schools since 1960, and we will fight to ensure he has 4 more years to continue his policy of increased education funding.

13. 2005 Legislative Session Kicked-Off

Information from GEC Legislative Monitor:

The 2005 Legislative Session got off to a historic start on Monday, January 10th, with the GOP taking control of the House for the first time in 135 years. Eighteen Democrats joined with the 99 Republicans in electing Glenn Richardson of Hiram as Speaker of the House and Mark Burkhalter of Alpharetta as Speaker Pro Tem. The Speaker quickly set about making changes to the House Rules, the most significant of which is the addition of three “Hawks” who are appointed by the Speaker and can temporarily vote on a committee at the Speaker’s direction. This and a series of other Rule changes will likely mean less debate on the House Floor.

Governor Perdue’s State of the State address was given on Wednesday, January 12th and was heavily focused on children and education. Most of the environmental items of interest had to do with budget issues. For the 2006 budget, $240,000 has been earmarked for the Statewide Water Management Plan established by HB 237.

14. Fundraising Deadlines
The following foundations are either new to our list of grants or have upcoming deadlines to submit proposals. To view grant makers that give throughout the year, visit our website at www.garivers.org and click on “Grants”.

National Safe Boating Council: Local Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program
The goal of the National Safe Boating Council's Local Recreational Boating Safety Grant Program is to reduce boating accidents and enhance the boating experience by distributing grants for local recreational boating safety programs. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for projects including, but not limited to, improving the quality or quantity of essential safe boating services or materials; building on and supporting the North American Safe Boating Campaign to enhance safe boating at the local level; developing innovative ideas that can be replicated by groups in other areas to improve boating safety; providing an opportunity to improve boating safety for specialized activities; and developing children's programs or adaptive boating for the disabled. Nonprofit organizations, noncommercial organizations, volunteer boating groups, and local government agencies throughout the U.S. are eligible to apply. The application deadline is January 25, 2005. Visit http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/rbs.htm.

Boat U.S. Foundation Makes Funding Available For Clean Water Grants

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is seeking nonprofit groups to help educate mariners about good environmental habits with grants of up to $4,000 for clean boating projects. Clean Water grants are designed to educate boaters on issues such as petroleum pollution prevention, pumpout education, and littering prevention. Although all clean boating education proposals will be considered, the 2005 "focus topic" is on reducing the spread of aquatic nuisance species - with extra consideration given to proposals that address the issue. Last year's grant program received 62 proposals; of these, 19 projects in 15 states were selected for funding. To view previous grant projects, learn more about aquatic nuisance species, or download a 2005 application, please visit http://www.BoatUS.com/Cleanwater/grants. Applications must be e-mailed or postmarked by midnight February 1, 2005.

The Community Foundation funds projects in the 23 county Metro Atlanta area. Visit www.atlcf.org. Grant deadlines are July 16, 2004 and January 28, 2005.

Tom's of Maine Corporate Giving Program provides support for nonprofit organizations nationally and internationally, with priority given to organizations impacting Maine. The company's areas of interest are the environment, human needs, the arts, and education. They are shifting their grant focus away from project-based grants (although they will still fund some projects) towards core mission and leadership grants. Proposals will be accepted between February 1 and April 1, 2005. Visit http://www.tomsofmaine.com/about/grant_guidelines.asp for more information.

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five-Star Restoration Matching Grants Program The Five-Star Restoration Program, administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects throughout the U.S. that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. Projects must involve partnerships of five organizations that contribute funding, land, technical assistance, workforce support, and/or other in-kind services. Project partners should include schools or youth organizations, local or tribal government, local business or corporations, conservation organizations or local citizen groups, state and federal resource management agencies, and foundations or other funders. The application deadline is March 1, 2005. Visit http://www.nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.htm for more information

The FishAmerica Foundation and the NOAA Restoration Center announce the availability of up to $600,000 for hands-on, grassroots projects across the coastal United States to restore marine, estuarine and riparian habitats, including salt marshes, mangrove forests, and freshwater habitats important to anadromous fish species. The partnership will seek an increased number of projects from the Chesapeake Bay watershed and may provide limited funding for salmon and/or steelhead habitat restoration projects in the Great Lakes basin. Visit FishAmerica's web site at http://www.fishamerica.org for the complete announcement, funding guidelines and application. Please Note: The application for this partnership is new this year. Additional funding opportunities can also be found on the NOAA Restoration website at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration/.

Community-based nonprofit organizations, such as local sporting clubs and conservation associations, as well as state and local agencies are encouraged to submit proposals. Projects must result in on-the-ground habitat restoration, clearly demonstrate significant benefits to marine,estuarine or anadromous fisheries resources, particularly sportfish, and must involve community participation through an educational or volunteer component tied to the restoration activities. The FishAmerica Foundation must receive applications and required documentation no later than February 25, 2005 by 5:00 PM. Electronic and faxed applications will NOT be accepted. Proposals must be submitted to: FAF/NOAA RFP - Grant Applications, FishAmerica Foundation, 225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 420, Alexandria, Virginia 22314.

Georgia-Pacific Foundation
The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific operates and where company employees live and work, including communities in 39 states. The Foundation's areas of interest include education, the environment, and community enrichment. Applications are accepted between January 1 and October 31, annually. Visit http://www.gp.com/center/community/index.html. A map of the Georgia-Pacific facilities and locations is available online at www.gp.com/facilitydirectory/index.asp.

Project AWARE Foundation
The Project AWARE Foundation is committed to the conservation and preservation of the aquatic environment, both marine and freshwater, throughout the world. The Foundation funds projects that have a direct benefit to the aquatic environment such as public education, grassroots conservation and enhancement projects, environmentally focused research that leads to conservation measures, public awareness initiatives, environmental assessment and monitoring projects, and volunteer-supported community activism. Micro Grants of up to $1,000 are available for local grassroots efforts and Macro Grants of $1,000-$10,000 are available for regional, national, or international efforts. Community groups and grassroots organizations throughout the U.S. and internationally are eligible to apply. The next deadline for applications from the U.S. is February 15, 2005. Visit http://www.projectaware.org/.

National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes the health and public enjoyment of the National Forest System, has initiated a new program, the Wilderness Stewardship Challenge, to improve the health of wilderness areas. The Wilderness Stewardship Grants provide matching funds of up to $50,000 for ecosystem restoration-related work in congressionally designated Forest Service Wilderness Areas. Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, resource conservation and development districts, Native American tribes, educational institutions, and state and county governments are eligible to apply. A one-to-one non-federal cash match is required. The application deadline is March 4, 2005. Visit http://www.natlforests.org/wilderness_stewardship_info.html.

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Georgia River Network has moved. Please note our new street address below.

Dana Skelton
Director of Administration and Outreach
Georgia River Network
126 S Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605
706/549-4508
706/549-7791 fax
http://www.garivers.org

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