Funding Fun: Spring 2012 Environmental Education Grants
Finding funding to support environmental education can be a real challenge and identifying applicable grants can be a hassle. To help you kick-start the process of getting your classroom project off the ground, we here at Bay Backpack have identified some great grant opportunities that are about to fly by. Some of these grants are not directly related to environmental or Chesapeake Bay education, but all could be used to support it. Be sure to note the submission deadlines, and good luck with your applications!
2012-2013 Source Water Education Projects Grants (Pennsylvania Only)
Through its Water Resources Education Network (WREN) Project, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania Citizen Education Fund (LWVPA-CEF) will accept proposals and award funding for source water protection education projects sponsored by community based partnerships that educate, build awareness, and promote water-sustaining public policies and/or behavior change. Grants of up to $7,000 will be awarded for County or regional projects to take place July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013. Applications are due by March 23, 2012.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching K-6th Grade
The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are the Nation’s highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. The 2012 Awards will honor math and science teachers working in grades K-6. Nominations are due by April 1, 2012, and teacher applications are due by May 1, 2012.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species 2012 Request for Proposals
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Panel on Aquatic Invasive Species (MAP) is announcing its 2012 request for proposals. The mission of the MAP is to assist state and federal agencies and other stakeholders in developing and implementing strategic, coordinated, and action-oriented approaches to preventing and controlling aquatic invasive species in the mid-Atlantic region. The driving force behind MAP’s mission is to strengthen cooperation, coordination, and communication on AIS issues within the region and beyond. This year one of MAP’s big focuses is on education (developing programs and curricula about aquatic invasive species or evaluating the effectiveness of existing programs) and behavior change. The MAP encourages broad participation from groups and individuals concerned about aquatic invasive species issues in the mid-Atlantic region. The deadline for proposal submissions is April 2, 2012.
2012 Community Tree Planting Mini Grant Program (Anne Arundel County, MD only)
The Anne Arundel County Forest Conservancy District Board and the Chesapeake Bay Trust are partnering to provide small community-based grants (less than $1,000) to help communities and organizations in Anne Arundel County, Maryland plant native trees, increase tree canopy, remove invasive species, and engage citizens in those activities. This grant can also be used to help re-forest school ground spaces. This could create an excellent schoolyard habitat in which educators could engage their students in learning about environmental restoration, local ecology, forest succession, and more, right in their own schoolyard! Applications are due by May 1, 2012.
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
These grants are intended to promote and support high-quality educational programs that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that engage them in active, hands-on projects to improve the environment in their schools and communities. Grants are limited to $2,500 and preferential consideration is given to requests seeking seed funding of $500 or less and to applicants who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding for their projects. Applications are due by May 31, 2012.