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$500 Conservation Education Mini-Grant Program
Application (pdf form file) (NEW FORMAT--fill out, save and print for CD Supervisor signature)
Top Scoring Grant Applications for February 2012—Jefferson and Missoula
Acceptable Projects for Mini Grants
The purpose of this grant program is to bring natural resources conservation education into the classroom. Up to $500 is available to fund K-12 education activities for teacher-initiated, conservation district-supported classroom projects. Mini grants can be used to purchase classroom and lab equipment, resource materials, speaker costs, workshops costs, to support conservation days or field tours, and to support outdoor classroom activities.
Adult education events may also be sponsored and hosted by conservation districts. Adult education grants can be used to support activities such as natural resource conservation, restoration and workshops, seminars, and local field tours.
Examples of eligible activities:
• Water Quality
• Riparian and Rangeland Ecology
• Aquatic Micro- and Macro - Flora and Fauna
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Wildlife
• Outdoor Classrooms
Grant funds cannot be used for food, digital cameras or other digital display equipment, tools that can easily be borrowed or brought by students for use in the project (such as shovels, rakes, or other garden equipment).
Timeline
Call for Applications |
Deadline |
Notification of Award |
February 1, 2012 DEQ & DNRC |
March 2, 2012 |
March 16, 2012 |
March 1, 2012 DNRC |
April 30, 2012 |
May 11, 2012 |
September 17, 2012 DEQ & DNRC |
October 12, 2012 |
October 31, 2012 |
Criteria
To be considered for a grant, a teacher or an organization must submit a written application directly to the local conservation district, and depending on the conservation district requirements, attend a meeting to explain the project and funding request. If the conservation district agrees to sponsor the project, the application will be forwarded to the Conservation Districts Bureau, Department of Natural Resources for funding consideration. Applications not meeting a deadline can be disqualified.
Conservation District Directory
Evaluation of Grants
The DNRC mini-education grant program will now be scored by a team of evaluators consisting of two DNRC staffer, one DEQ employee, and one member of the Montana Youth Restoration Partnership Coalition.
Approved Grants
A grant agreement will be written between the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the local conservation district, which will administer the funds. Charges to the grant are not allowed until a contract is signed. Grant payments are paid upon receipt of proper documentation of approved expenses (photos, invoices, receipts, vendor invoice and final report).
Contact Information
If you need assistance, contact:
Linda Brander
Conservation and Resource Development Division,
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation,
1625 Eleventh Avenue, P.O. Box 201601,
Helena, MT 59620-1601
Phone (406) 444-6667
