The Peconic Estuary Program (PEP) is pleased to announce the availability of $20,000 for the 2006 PEP Mini-Grant Program. Grants up to $5,000 will be awarded for projects that increase public awareness of the estuarine environment and/or encourage active public participation in protecting and restoring the Peconic Estuary. Habitat restoration projects will be given priority consideration. Put your thinking caps on - proposals are due September 1, 2006!
How to Apply
Review the official Request for Bids for detailed information about potential projects, funding eligibility, and application guidelines. Click here to download the full Request for Bids package, which includes an application checklist and print versions of the application forms.
To apply electronically (preferred), download the Request for Bids package, but complete the electronic versions of the application forms, available for download here:
Remember, proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, September 1, 2006!
History of the PEP Mini-Grant Program
This is the second round of PEP Mini-Grants. In 2004, four projects were funded at a level of $2,000 each. The program was so successful that we have more than doubled the funding available in this cycle. The four projects were:
North Fork Environmental Council, in support of Earth’s Garden at Oysterponds School in Orient, NY: Over 100 elementary school students joined in planting a garden on their school grounds. Designed by Maureen Cullinane, the butterfly-shaped butterfly garden will continue to serve as a living lab to teach students about the importance of native and xeriscapic plants, wildlife habitat, and chem-free landscape maintenance to the health of the Peconics.
Southampton College: 170 freshmen launched their college careers by learning about water quality in the Peconic Estuary in a core course entitled, Peconic Water Karma. The students’ term project involved developing mini-grant proposals of their own, with the winning project being selected for implementation in the spring semester. Healthy Bodies, Healthy Bays, a 5K race and eco-fair on the shores of the estuary near Sag Harbor was realized on April 24, 2005. Congressman Tim Bishop fired the gun that started nearly 60 runners on their way. Having garnered corporate sponsors and a raffle for race day, the Southampton students raised almost $2,700 for the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County Marine Program for after-school marine environmental programming in the Peconic watershed.
Town of East Hampton: The Town produced and distributed a brochure to educate homeowners, particularly those residing in the Harbor Protection Overlay District, about what they can do to prevent pollutants from entering the East End harbors and bays. A comprehensive native plant list was developed to complement the project and is available online.
Town of East Hampton: Educational signage was produced for display at Louse Point in Accabonac Harbor and Maidstone Beach in Three Mile Harbor. The signs depict the geological history of the area, as well as information about local habitats, animals, recreation, and environmental management.
Questions? E-mail us at info@peconicestuary.org or call (631) 852-5750.
