Nonpoint source outreach mini-grants
By Loretta Lohman, CSU Cooperative Extension
Colorado’s Nonpoint Source Program offers small grants for projects involving information, education, innovative ideas and seed funding for watershed organizations. These mini-grants, which can be up to $5,000, fund small projects outside the more rigorous nonpoint source grant program.
The goal of the Outreach Grant Program is to provide information and alternative actions to Coloradans about nonpoint source water pollution.
The program has funded a wide variety of projects over the years. Early on, most projects were awarded to teachers and their schools for nonpoint source education. These projects involved constructed wetlands, analysis of wetland treatment for mine drainage, outdoor curricula, signage, and more. One recent project helped create a living outdoor classroom in Fort Collins.
Projects have also been awarded for demonstration of drip irrigation, a trailer for community fire rehabilitation response teams, Best Management Practices handbooks, and short videos.
Mini-grant proposals are evaluated by the Nonpoint Source Council’s Information and Education Committee. The grant application form is available at www.npscolorado.com/outreachgrant.htm. Proposals are accepted any time of the year.
Up to the point of activating a grant, everything is handled electronically. Proposals are sent to Loretta Lohman, the state’s NPS outreach coordinator, at Loretta.lohman@colostate.edu. A proposal is then discussed by the I&E Committee. If the project is recommended for funding, Lohman sends an award notification and instructions for activating the purchase order process in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division system.
All grants funds are distributed on a cost-reimbursement basis and require a 40 percent match. Formulae for calculating the match are available at www.npscolorado.com/projecttools.htm. Project tools also provide information about valuing in-kind match and about what constitutes evaluation.New! Newsletter Index
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