Mini-Grant Deadlines Coming Up Fast

Take advantage of summer rains to spend some time inside wrapping up applications for mini-grants available through Tampa Bay Estuary Program and the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

TBEP’s Bay Mini-Grant program is financed by sales of the Tampa Bay Estuary specialty license plate, also known as the “Tarpon Tag.” Last year, $122,000 was awarded to 25 community groups chosen from a total of 40 applications from organizations in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee counties, Grants of up to $5,000 are available; applications must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Mini-grant projects should directly benefit Tampa Bay. Past projects have included invasive plant removal and planting of Florida native plants at local parks, workshops to educate teachers and involve local school communities, signs to alert boaters and beachgoers about nesting birds, and Boater’s Guides for Boca Ciega Bay and Clearwater Harbor; which are popular for their maps and safe boating resources. Additional information and examples of past grant winners are available at http://www.tbep.org/bayminigrants.html.

SWFWMD has two separate grant programs. The Community Education Grants offer up to $5000 to individuals, organizations, local governments and neighborhood associations that create community-based educational experiences which lead to the protection and conservation of Florida’s ecosystem. The grants are awarded in five separate categories:

• Flood protection
• Natural systems
• Water conservation
• Water quality
• Watersheds

Grants are limited to one per organization. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Aug. 20 for projects to be implemented between March and July 2011.

Separate Splash! grants are available to teachers for hands-on water resources project including funding for classroom projects on water quality, water conservation, alternative sources, water supply, flood protection or watersheds. Splash! grants are available for public, private, charter and home school groups and provide up to $5,000 per school on a reimbursement basis only.

Last year 209 educators received Splash! Grants, reaching more than 113,000 students with projects that included student monitoring of local water quality, environmental field trips, student-designed butterfly gardens and short videos promoting awareness of water-conserving practices.

Splash! grant applications are online at www.WaterMatters.org/schoolgrants/ and must be submitted by Sept. 10.