Environment Grants
Application Process and Due Date:
- Environment Grants require a two-phase application process:
- Applicants initially submit a Letter Of Intent which summarizes their proposed project. Applicants should call Robert Judd at 579-4073 x 15 to discuss their project before submitting a Letter Of intent.
- Instructions for Letters Of Intent are available here.
- Letters are reviewed by staff and a committee of the board. Those letters which best meet the priorities for an Environment Grant will be invited to submit a compete application.
- Letters of intent are due at the Community Foundation by July 14, 2008.
Environment Grants criteria:
Like much of California, Sonoma County is characterized by landscapes that support great biological diversity. While it can sometimes be difficult to define what constitutes a healthy ecosystem because of the complexity of natural systems, the tendency for change over time and geographic variations, we know that some ecosystems in Sonoma County have become more seriously degraded than others through land use pressures. These include riparian forests, salt and fresh water marshes, vernal pools, and valley oak woodland. Loss and degradation of natural habitat has resulted in the fragmentation of native ecosystems, reducing the availability of remaining habitat by breaking the connections needed by wildlife to move back and forth between habitat types. This loss of habitat "connectivity" is an important factor in the long term viability of native species and for the preservation of native ecosystems.
Environment Grants of up to $25,000 will be awarded to local nonprofit organizations proposing projects that restore the connections among habitats that have been broken through land use resulting in fragmentation or projects that result in the preservation or restoration of native habitat.
Environment Grant awards will be announced in November. The grant period will be from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009
For more information, please contact Robert Judd at the Community Foundation at 579-4073 x 15. |
