News

1. Groundwater Awards for Students and Educators

2. Fulton County Environmental Award Nominations

3. WRD Begins Review of Nominated Changes to State Protected Species List

Group Spotlight

4. Lake Oconee Water Watch

Workshops/Conferences/Calendar Items

5. May DNR Board Meetings – Lake Blackshear

6. Back to the Chattahoochee Race - Roswell

7. ICL Board University – Atlanta

8. Save the Date: Environmental Heroes Celebration – Atlanta

9. Alliance for Justice Online Workshops

10. GA Adopt-A-Stream / Healthy Water Healthy People Workshop - Gainesville

11. 19th Annual Erosion and Sediment Control Seminar and Exposition - Atlanta

12. Environmental Education in Higher Education Conference - Athens

Resources

13. Eastern Brook Trout Report Released

Fundraising Deadlines

14. Fundraising Deadlines

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1. Groundwater Awards for Students and Educators
Groundwater Educator Award - The Groundwater Foundation established this award to recognize groundwater educators who understand the importance of groundwater, motivate others to protect groundwater, and lead by personal example. Anyone actively involved with the implementation and delivery of groundwater education programs is eligible for this award. Individuals honored through this award will have made a substantive contribution to groundwater stewardship through their educational efforts. Visit http://www.groundwater.org/aw/edithabout.html. Deadline: July 14

Groundwater Student Award - Any student, age 12-17, in the U.S. that gives time, energy, and knowledge to promote the protection of groundwater in his/her community is eligible. In addition, the student’s actions will have the ability to be replicated by other students and the potential to empower the community to protect groundwater. The winner will receive a beautifully designed award, $500 for education, and airfare, hotel, and conference registration for one student and a chaperone to The Groundwater Foundation annual conference where the winner will present their work to an audience of adults and youth. Visit http://www.groundwater.org/aw/youthabout.html. Deadline: July 14.

2. Fulton County Environmental Award Nominations

The Fulton County Citizens Commission on the Environment and the Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development are now accepting nominations to recognize organizations, projects and individuals for their good stewardship of the Fulton County environment. As the most populous county in Georgia it’s important to set an example of leadership by recognizing the value of best environmental practices in the metropolitan area. The hope is that this recognition will serve to bolster the efforts of environmental preservation-minded groups, individuals and programs that protect, improve or create awareness. Nominations will be accepted through July 31st 2006 and the Awards Program will be held on September 20th 2006 at the Fulton County, 141 Pryor Street, Atlanta. Nomination forms are available on-line at: http://www.fultonecd.org/enviro/eap-nom-pkg-06.pdf. Questions may be addressed to Debra Jenkins at debra.jenkins@fulton.co.ga.us or 404-730-8016.

3. WRD Begins Review of Nominated Changes to State Protected Species List
The Georgia DNR, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is carrying out the first comprehensive revision of Georgia's protected plant and animal lists since 1992. The general public and scientific community were asked to nominate changes to the protected species list between Feb. 24 and April 20. During this time period, the Wildlife Resources Division received nominations to add 148 species to the list, delete 13 species from the list, and change the status of 42 species that are currently protected. For more information, visit http://www.georgiawildlife.com and click on Non-Game Animals and Plants and then on Protected Species Update.

4. Group Spotlight: Lake Oconee Water Watch

Lake Oconee Water Watch is a volunteer organization which does monthly chemical monitoring on Lake Oconee. A group of dedicated volunteers brave both inclement weather and beautiful sunny days to sample 27 sites around the lake to collect data on temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and several other parameters. LOWW will also soon begin testing a number of additional sites for fecal coliform levels. LOWW evolved from a water monitoring committee in another organization which began sampling Lake Oconee’s water about 15 years ago. Data reports from many years of monitoring were recently shared with the University of Georgia in a partnership to expand knowledge about the health and history of the lake. Recently, the Reynolds Plantation Citizens’ Involvement Committee donated funds to LOWW to purchase equipment for fecal coliform monitoring. To learn more about LOWW, contact Janet Pearson, President, at lakeoconeejanet@bellsouth.net.

5. DNR Board Meetings – Lake Blackshear
The next DNR Board Meeting will take place May 23-24 at the Lake Blackshear Conference Center. For details on DNR Board Meetings, visit http://www.gadnr.org/ (bottom left corner of home page). To view the schedule, visit http://gadnr.org/documents/sched-agenda.html. For an archive of the Georgia Environmental Council’s reports on board meetings, visit www.garivers.org and click on advocacy.

6. Back to the Chattahoochee River Race - Roswell
The 4th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee Race & Festival will take place Saturday, June 10, 2006. The race begins at 9:00 am and the festival runs from 10:00 – 2:00pm. For more information visit http://www.ucriverkeeper.org/community5.htm.

7. ICL Board University - Atlanta
The Institute for Conservation Leadership invites you and your board to attend their Board University Workshop on Saturday, June 17, 2006 in Atlanta, GA. This workshop allows board members to work together to focus and strengthen their work. The Atlanta Board University is co-sponsored by and will be held at the Georgia Center for Nonprofits from 8:30am-5:00pm. At the Board University workshop, you and your team will assess your board; align your board’s work with your organization’s needs; explore best practices to make your board more effective, efficient, and enjoyable; and plan for implementing the changes your board needs. The workshop is designed for organizational teams of two or more people including board members, executive directors, and other staff members who work with the board. Cost: This workshop costs $95 for the first person from your organization and $40 for each additional person from the same organization. The cost includes a full day of training, all materials, and lunch. Registration and payment are due Friday, May 26th. For more information or if you have any questions, please email or call Courtney Carlson (courtney@icl.org) at ICL at (301) 270-2900 x7. Visit www.icl.org for more information.

8. Save the Date: Environmental Heroes Celebration
Sponsored by Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest
Thursday, September 14, 2006, 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Rhodes Hall in Midtown Atlanta Honoring Donald D.J. Stack and the Citizens of Taliaferro County and featuring Barbara Pyle as Keynote Speaker

9. Alliance for Justice Online Workshops
Alliance for Justice presents an online workshop series on the legal rules for foundation support of advocacy. Participate in an Alliance for Justice training from the convenience of your office. They will be conducting one hour workshops on the legal rules for foundation support for advocacy and how foundations can evaluate advocacy grants and help build their grantees' advocacy capacity. 2pm Eastern time; one hour each. Cost: $30 each. The 2006 web training schedule is:

Wednesday, May 24 - A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
Thursday, June 15 - Advocacy Capacity Assessment and Evaluation
Tuesday, June 27 - A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
Tuesday, September 19 - Advocacy Capacity Assessment and Evaluation
Thursday, November 16 - A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy
Election Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop May 31st - This one-hour web-based training will cover the rules for election-related activity including candidate elections, voter guides, voting records, and candidate debates and forums. Wednesday, May 31, 2006, 2:00 pm, You will need a computer with internet access and working computer speakers in order to participate. Cost: $30

Register online or call the Alliance for Justice at 202-822-6070. Questions: Call or email Abby Levine at 202-822-6070 or Abby.Levine@afj.org. For a description of the workshops, visit http://www.afj.org.

10. GA Adopt-A-Stream Trainer / Healthy Water, Healthy People Facilitator
Workshop - Gainesville

July 20-21, 2006 from 10:00 – 6:00 each day at the Elachee Nature Science Center
Join Adopt-A-Stream (AAS) and Project WET in this workshop designed for certified chemical and biological volunteers. Upon completion of the workshop, participants will become certified AAS trainers, qualified to teach both biological and chemical water quality monitoring workshops, as well as certified Healthy Water, Healthy People (HWHP) facilitators, qualified to teach HWHP Educator Workshops. The purpose of the HWHP program is to raise the awareness and understanding of water quality topics and issues and their relationship to personal, public, and environmental health. HWHP facilitators are asked to conduct one educator workshop per year in order to retain certification. AAS trainers are asked to conduct at least one QA/QC workshop each year and participate in annual recertification training. You may choose to conduct your future workshops as combined QA/QC and HWHP, or you may provide separate workshops. If you are not QA/QC certified, but would like to attend this workshop, please visit the Adopt-A-Stream website (www.riversalive.org/aas_workshops.htm) to find out how to receive certification prior to this workshop. Formal educators may receive 1 PLU credit for attending this workshop. Lunch and snacks will be provided and are included in the registration fee of $60 for EEA members or $65 for non-members. Registration deadline is July 6, 2006. To register, please contact Petey Giroux (petey_giroux@dnr.state.ga.us, 404-675-1638) or Allison Hughes (allison_hughes@dnr.state.ga.us, 404 675- 1635).

11. 19th Annual Erosion and Sediment Control Seminar and Exposition - Atlanta

June 2, 2006 at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. For additional information call Diane Clark 770-761-3020. Sponsored by the Dekalb County Soil and Water Conservation District

12. Exploring the Landscapes of Environmental Education in Higher Education: Teaching, Research, and Public Service & Outreach – Athens
August 18-20, 2006, at the University of Georgia - The conference is for faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students at colleges and universities across the state as well as partners in pre-kindergarten through grade 12 settings; business and industry; government and nongovernmental, community, or faith-based agencies and organizations. They are seeking diversity across disciplines, fields, and affiliations that help, individually and collectively, demonstrate and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of increasing and supporting environmental literacy and environmental education (EE) for all populations. The goals of the conference are to: Raise awareness of teaching practices, research endeavors and public service & outreach programs conducted by institutions of higher education and their partners to advance environmental literacy and support EE; increase knowledge of current and emerging environmental literacy and EE activities around the state through presentations, poster sessions, featured speakers, and exhibits; and to consider meaningful and measurable strategies to strengthen the role of higher education and partners to increase environmental literacy and EE among diverse audiences and settings.

For more information, including proposal strands, registration process and fees, tentative agenda, deadlines, and lodging, please visit: http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/2006/Aug/17/environmental_ed.phtml. Exhibitors are also invited to participate in the conference. Early bird (discounted) deadline to submit an exhibitor registration form is July 1. Visit this link for more exhibitor information:

http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/2006/Aug/17/exhibitor_information.pdf.

13. Eastern Brook Trout Report Released
Trout Unlimited recently released a report titled Eastern Brook Trout: Status and Threats on behalf of the Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture (EBTJV). Click here to view the report: http://www.garivers.org/whatsnew.htm. This summary report describes the first stage of the Joint Venture’s efforts to spearhead a collaborative process to improve brook trout habitat from Maine to Georgia.

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”.

Ben and Jerry's Foundation provides grants ranging from $1,000 - $15,000 for grassroots organizing that leads to environmental change and addresses the root causes of environmental problems. Letters of inquiry must be submitted ten weeks prior to the grant cycle deadline for full proposals. Deadlines to submit a full proposal (for invited applicants only) are: March 1st, July 1st, November 1st. Visit http://www.benandjerry.com/foundation/guidelines.html.

Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to organizations that promote an understanding of the environment and involve youth ages 6-18. Grants range from $250 - $2,500. Deadlines for submitting grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Visit www.captainplanetfdn.org.

Charles Stewart Mott Foundation The mission of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation is to support efforts that promote a just, equitable, and sustainable society. The Foundation's grant programs focus on the following areas: poverty, civil society, the environment, and Flint, MI. Organizations seeking grants should begin the application process at least four months before the start of the proposed grant period. Foundation staff must finalize grant recommendations for any given calendar year by August 31 of that year. Proposals received between September 1 and December 31 will be considered in the following calendar year. Visit http://www.mott.org for more information.

The Community Foundation funds projects in the 23 county Metro Atlanta area. Visit www.atlcf.org. The foundation receives proposals between January and July.

ConAgra Foods Foundation works to improve the quality of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live. The Foundation focuses its resources in the areas of arts and culture; civic and community betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition and food safety. Nonprofit organizations in communities with company facilities throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Consult your local phone directory or contact your Chamber of Commerce to find out if ConAgra Foods operates in your community. Applications are due the last working day of January, April, July, October. Visit www.garivers.org and click on Grants to view more information.

The American Honda Foundation supports projects in the areas of youth and scientific education. The Foundation defines "youth" as prenatal through 21 years of age. "Scientific education" encompasses the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and the environmental sciences. The Foundation provides grants for K-12 education, higher education, and other nonprofit organizations that focus on youth and/or scientific education. Only projects that are national in scope will be considered for funding by the Foundation. Application deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year. Visit www.garivers.org and click on Grants to link to more information.

Kodak American Greenways Grant
The 2006 Kodak American Greenways Awards Program provides seed money to stimulate greenway, blueway and trail planning and design. Schools are welcome to apply. Recipients will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at the National Geographic Society Headquarters in Washington DC. The program typically honors 3-4 awardees each year. Visit www.garivers.org and click on Grants to view more information. Deadline: June 1

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program provides States with a means of protecting and restoring coastal environments. Visit http://www.fws.gov/coastal/CoastalGrants/. Deadline June 30.

The National Forest Foundation supports projects that address community-based forest stewardship, watershed health and restoration, wildlife habitat improvement, and recreation issues in proactive ways. Projects should complete innovative on-the-ground conservation work in partnership with other community groups. The Foundation’s matching awards program focuses on “action-oriented” projects that serve to demonstrate measurable outcomes. The program provides challenge cost-share grants, on a competitive basis, to community-based organizations to engage in on-the-ground conservation initiatives benefiting National Forests and Grasslands. The Program provides matching federal funds to private, non-federal dollars. During 2006, the Foundation will support organizations in Southern Appalachia (Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia), the Oregon Coast and Central Cascades, the Selway-Bitterroot area (Montana and Idaho), the Central Colorado Rockies, and the Central Sierra (California). Some 20 percent of the Program’s funds will be allocated to projects outside of these areas. The deadline of July 28 is for pre-proposals. | Grant Range: $500 to $100,000 | Contact Info: Alexandra Kenny, Director Grants Program, 2715 M St. NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC, 20007, Ph: 202-298-6740 Ext. 3, akenny@natlforests.org. Visit http://natlforests.org/consp_04_map.html.

Patagonia funds projects that are action oriented, build public support and involvement, are strategic and accomplish specific goals and objectives. Patagonia supports small, grassroots activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas. They look for innovative groups that produce measurable results, and like to support efforts to force the government to abide by its own - our own - laws. Patagonia helps local groups working to protect local habitat. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000. Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 30 and August 31 each year. For more information, visit http://www.patagonia.com/enviro/enviro_grants.shtml. You can also apply for grants from the Atlanta Patagonia store which gives grants in the amount of $1,000 - $4000 with applications due each May. Contact Leigh Bost at 404.266.8182 for more information.

Project AWARE Foundation is committed to the conservation and preservation of the aquatic environment and its resources throughout the world. The Foundation will consider funding projects that focus on its priorities: coral reef conservation, shark protection, aquatic ecotourism, aquatic education (particularly for youth), and direct conservation activities in both marine and freshwater for up to $10,000. Projects which incorporate public education, grassroots involvement, and research that leads to conservation are examples of the types of projects the Foundation supports. The application deadlines are March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15, annually. Visit http://www.projectaware.org/.

The Timberland Company offers grants to encourage volunteerism, protect the environment and promote diversity. Groups must have 501(c)3 status to apply. Deadlines: April 1, June 5, August 30, 2006. Visit www.garivers.org and click on grants for more information.

Tourism Cares for Tomorrow is a nonprofit organization that benefits society by promoting the responsible use of the world's natural, cultural and historic treasures and supporting education and research to help secure the positive future of travel and tourism worldwide. As part of its mission, Tourism Cares for Tomorrow distributes grants to nonprofit organizations worldwide with the following goals: 1. Projects that protect, restore, or conserve sites of exceptional cultural, historic, or natural significance and 2. Programs that educate local host communities and the traveling public about conservation and preservation of sites. The remaining deadlines for 2006 are June 30 and Nov 1. Application guidelines are available on the website at http://tourismcares.org/TourismCares/What+We+Do/Grants/.

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