Organizations, Schools and Businesses Encouraged to Apply
The deadline to apply for Ohio Environmental Education Fund grants is Jan. 15, 2015. Grants are available for up to $50,000 to educate Ohio students, citizens and the regulated community about environmental problems and potential solutions. Funding in 2015 will target four areas where Ohio EPA has determined a need for more education, due to significant environmental impacts in the state:
· projects that encourage best management practices for nutrients, including efforts to reduce nutrient loadings to rivers and streams from urban and rural areas;
· projects that demonstrate the use of innovative storm water management practices;
· projects that encourage the reduction of air emissions, including promotion of alternative modes of transportation; and
· projects that explain the importance of habitat restoration efforts to increase biodiversity and improve air and water quality.
The following entities are eligible to receive grant funding from the OEEF:
· schools, outdoor education facilities, nature centers, zoos;
· municipalities, counties, townships, and local governments;
· state agencies;
· watershed groups (with local government sponsorship);
· businesses, trade groups and associations; and
· 501 (c)(3) nonprofit groups.
Funding for OEEF grants comes from a portion of the civil penalties collected by Ohio EPA for violations of Ohio’s air and water pollution control laws.
Interested applicants should review the application guidelines and create an account in Ohio EPA’s eBusiness Center, then submit an online letter of intent to apply in the OEEF Grant Service no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2015. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. on Jan 15. 2015. Applicants are encouraged to discuss proposal ideas with OEEF staff members at (614) 644-2873 or oeef@epa.ohio.gov.
