Deadline Feb. 14th for EPA Five Star Restoration/Education Grants

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Five Star Restoration Program brings together students, conservation corps, other youth groups, citizen groups, corporations, landowners and government agencies to provide environmental education/training through projects that restore wetlands and streams. It provides annual challenge grants, technical support and opportunities for information exchange to enable community-based restoration projects. Funding levels are modest, from $10,000 to $40,000, with $20,000 as the average amount awarded per project.

This program could be a great way for volunteer groups (Adopt-A-Pond, Lake Management, others) to receive financial support for restoration, education and ongoing management activities to improve the quality of their community water resource. If you are a member of such a group, contact the coordinator in your county for help in developing a plan for a project that would qualify for this kind of funding.