$50,000 IN GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM ALBEMARLE-PAMLICO NATIONAL ESTUARY

RALEIGH - A state and federal program is requesting proposals from
schools and other groups that want grant money to develop nature trails,
rain gardens and other projects that benefit the environment in parts of
North Carolina and Virginia.

A total of $50,000 in grant money is available through the
Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Program, which protects water quality
and other natural resources in a 36-county area of northeastern North
Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Schools, government agencies and
nonprofit organizations in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuary’s region are
eligible to apply for grant money.

“We’ve had very successful projects in partnerships with schools to
address environmental issues and provide learning opportunities for
students,” said APNEP Director Bill Crowell. “It’s a win-win opportunity
for the students, the community and the environment.”

The projects must benefit the environment, occur on or adjacent to
school property, be physical “in-ground” projects, have a public
outreach or education element, allow for permanent public access and
have methods that may be applied in other locations. Past projects
included boardwalks, outdoor classrooms, nature trails, rain gardens,
green roofs and schoolyard wetlands.

Each project may receive up to $12,000. However, the targeted funding
range is approximately $5,000 per project. The APNEP Citizen’s Advisory
Committee will select the proposals to be funded and determine funding
amounts. Prospective grant recipients are encouraged to partner with
others to leverage additional funds. The application deadline is March 6.

The APNEP region includes five major river basins: the Chowan,
Pasquotank, Roanoke, Tar-Pamlico and Neuse. The estuarine system
comprised by these basins was designated an "estuary of national
significance" in 1987 by the Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, contact Lori Brinn at (919) 715-4196 or
lori.brinn@ncmail.net. To get an application and a copy of the
Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, visit the APNEP Web site
at http://www.apnep.org <http://www.apnep.org/> and click on “What's New
- Request for Proposals.”