Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Small Grants Program

2012Request for Proposals

The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council announces the availability of Wild and Scenic River Small Grants for 2012. Town-affiliated entities and community based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations from the eight shoreline communities along the Wild and Scenic portions of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers are invited to apply. These towns are Framingham, Wayland, Sudbury, Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle, Bedford and Billerica. Individuals who are interested must partner with a town or eligible 501(c)(3) organization. The grants must be used to help support and enhance protection of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River and its outstanding resources.

Background:

In 1999, 29 miles of the Sudbury, Assabet and ConcordRivers were designated as part of the national Wild and Scenic River System because of their outstanding recreational opportunities, scenery, ecology, history and literature. The River Stewardship Council (RSC) was created to work in partnership with the National Park Service to protect these resources. Each of the shoreline communities is a member of the RSC, as well as three non-governmental organizations, the state and federal governments.

The RSC, guided by the River Conservation Plan, promotes the protection of these resources through collaborative efforts, educational programs, and the statutory authority of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. By working in partnership with other interested parties, the RSC encourages cooperation and coordination on river issues. Presently, the RSC is involved in cooperative efforts addressing invasive species management and low stream flow concerns. Public education efforts are supported cooperatively with educators in the watershed. Using authority in the Wild and Scenic River Act, the RSC with the National Park Service evaluates federal actions on the rivers to ensure their impacts are minimized.

For background on Wild and Scenic Rivers, the Sudbury Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River and the River Stewardship Council visit the following websites:

www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/pwsr

www.rivers.gov

Grant Program:

Recognizing the important role towns and local entities play in the protection of river resources, the goal of this grant program is to support activities which enhance and protect these resources.

Who may apply:

Eligible entities include conservation commissions, planning boards,water/wastewater departments, libraries, historical commissions, recreation departments, schools ( including environmental clubs, art programs, science classes etc) and other town-sanctioned committees (Community Preservation Act Committee, Open Space Committee, Bicycle Committee etc.) as well as community-based nonprofit 501(c) (3) organizations. These might include, but are not limited to historical societies, garden clubs, art associations, churches, local land trusts and neighborhood groups. Individuals interested in applying should partner with one of these organizations.

Eligible projects:

Projects that enhance the protection of the outstanding resource values of recreation, scenery, ecology, history and/or literature are eligible. Project proposals that increase awareness and appreciationof these resource values are also welcome. Possible project ideas might include:

* Conservation, restoration or enhancement of fish, wildlife, water quality, historic, or recreational resources

* Protection of land along the rivers and their tributaries

* Public education about the river and its resources

* Studies that lead to better local decision making about river resources

* Promotion of recreation that brings people to the rivers while protecting riverine resources.

* Public art projects that engage the public

* Partnering with organizations to offer walks, paddles or other outdoor activities that highlight river resources

* Invasive species management

* Water conservation education and implementation

* Protection of natural river flow regimes

* Projects that engage youth in the arts and sciences of river resources and encourage an awareness and appreciation of river resources.

* Use of social media to raise awareness of a project.

Projects that are mandated as part of a regulatory requirement are not eligible. This may include mitigation for enforcement actions and/or permit requirements.

In the firstyears of the program, a diversity of projects has been supportedthrough this grant program for the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers ranging from a water resource inventory, to invasive species management, trail enhancement and interpretive signage, school programs, storm drain marker project and creation of a viewing spot along the river.

The program has been expanded to include arts projects that reflect on the outstanding resources of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers.All types of artists and art work are eligible including painting, sculpting, photography, music, performance, writing and others. Artists are encouraged to work with a partner organization to design a project that heightens awareness and appreciation for the river and its resources and that engages the public.Funding has helped a chorus learn and perform river-specific music, a painter to create a river mural at the local library and a photographer to capture the essence of the Assabet River.

This year the program is further expanded to include consideration of projects that might help to understand and/or manage the effects of climate change and extreme weather conditions on the rivers.

A full list of previously funded projects is available on our website, at

Funding:

Grant requests ranging from $500 to $2,500 will be considered. In 2012, up to $10,000 will be distributed.

Application Process:

All proposals must be received via email, in a Word or PDF document, by C.O.B. June 13, 2012. Please send them to . Applications should include contact information and:

1) anarrative that includes:

  • project description, activities, and goals
  • a brief explanation of how the project will help protect or restore the river resources
  • who will undertake the work, i.e. proponent and if applicable partners
  • any permits or permissions that are required to undertake the project
  • products and/or outcomes
  • evaluation plan

2) project budget (please include other sources of funding, if any, and in-kind support, if any)

3) timeline, including tasks if appropriate

The application should be no longer than four pages, including narrative, budget, and timeline. Projects must be completed within 18 months.

Successful applicants will be notified of results of the selection process by the end of June, and funds will be available at that time, or soon after.

Criteria for Review (in no order):

  • Does the proposal address the protection of outstanding resource values?
  • Does the proposal strengthen relationships in order to best protect river resources?
  • Does the project build on ongoing efforts of the RSC? Ongoing efforts of the town?
  • Is the project doable with funding available?
  • Does the project engage partners and raise awareness about the river?
  • Will future activities/decisions build on the results of this project?
  • Are results of the project sustainable after completion of the grant?
  • Are there matching funds or in-kind contributions to the project?

For further information:

Contact Lee Steppacher at 617-223-5225.