Resources for Restoration Projects _________________________________________

The Maryland Urban & Community Forest Committee's (MUCFC) is currently accepting grant applications for up to $1,500 for community tree planting events. Deadline for proposals is February 15. For more information, please visit: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/programs/urban/mcfc.asp.

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The Chesapeake Bay Trust Mini Grants program awards up to $5,000 for projects that address one or more of the Trust's grant making priorities. The majority of Mini Grant applications are submitted by schools for field experiences and on-the ground student service projects. However, organizations and agencies may also submit grants for small projects and public awareness initiatives. Groups working throughout Maryland's watersheds may apply for funding through this program. Click here for more details.

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The National Association of Counties, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC), in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Southern Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) are pleased to solicit applications for the Five Star/Nature Restoration Trust Restoration Program.This grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships for wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration. Funding levels range from $10,000 to $40,000, with $20K-$25K as the average amount awarded per project. Applications are due February 11, 2010. More information can be found here.

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The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will host a webinar for potential Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund "Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction" grant program applicants on January 8, 1pm EST. NFWF, in partnership with EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Program, will award grants on a competitive basis of between $200,000 and $1 million each to support the demonstration of innovative approaches to expand the collective knowledge about the most cost effective and sustainable approaches to dramatically reduce or eliminate nutrient and sediment pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. A total of up to $5.8 million will be awarded through this solicitation. Click here to register. Online applications must be completed by February 5, 2010. For more details about the Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction grant program, click here.

** If you or others are interested in submitting a proposal for projects in Frederick County, please contact Shannon Moore at 301-600-1413 or smoore@frederickcountymd.gov. **

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Incentives & Coupons offered through Marylanders Plant Trees

Brady Sweitzer of Stevensville, Md. has won a 2009-2010 Maryland State Park Passport in the first Marylanders Plant Trees drawing. Part of a new incentive program to encourage participation in the State’s citizen tree-planting effort, the November 1 drawing was the first in a series of monthly, random drawings that will award prizes to citizens who have planted trees and registered them on the program’s Web site: http://www.trees.maryland.gov/index.asp.

Governor O’Malley introduced the Marylanders Plant Trees program, part of his Smart, Green & Growing initiative, last fall with a goal of planting 50,000 new trees by 2010. Marylanders have heeded the challenge: more than 22,000 new trees have been planted and registered so far this year.

To add incentive to the program, DNR is now giving away prizes the first Monday of each month through May 2010, by a random drawing among those who register their trees. The prizes include overnight stays at the Rocky Gap Resort, yacht tours, Christmas trees and State Park passes.

In cooperation with participating nurseries, the program also continues to offer $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more, and redeemable at nearly 70 nurseries across the State.

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The MCWA Calendar of Events may be updated with additional grant opportunities in the future, so check back often.