Community Grant Program
Small Education Grant
The Outreach and Education Subcommittee of the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee (ERWSCC) seeks to promote education about and direct community experience with the Eightmile River through a program of small grants. Grants will be awarded to entities which educate or provide outreach to local citizens – especially youth - about watershed resources.
Watershed Grant
The purpose of the Watershed Grant is to advance projects that support and enhance the protection and enjoyment of the Eightmile River Watershed’s Outstanding Resource Values (ORVs). In 2008, the Eightmile River was the twelfth river to be designated as a Partnership Wild & Scenic River by the United States Congress. It was designated due to its six Outstanding Resource Values (ORVs).
Frequently Asked Questions
Small Education Grant: up to $500
Watershed Grant: $1,000 - $7,500; projects that impact the majority or entire watershed may be requested for amounts up to $15,000
Eligible entities include community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations such as historical societies, garden clubs, art associations, churches, local land trusts, scouts, Audubon, CT, The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Districts and municipal boards and departments, including but not limited to conservation commissions, planning boards, water/wastewater departments, libraries, historical commissions, recreation departments, schools (including environmental clubs, art programs, science classes, etc.) .
Other groups that are not qualified non-profit organizations and individuals that are interested in applying should partner with either a town board or department or 501(c)(3)nonprofit organization(s).
Small Education Grant: Local field trips to learn about natural resources; programs and outreach about water quality, plant life, invasive species, wildlife, geology or watershed ecology; programs using ERWSCC’s Enviroscape (an interactive 3D watershed model); projects that emphasize the history or recreational potential of the Eightmile River Watershed; and outreach that teaches or demonstrates how to be a better watershed citizen.
Watershed Grant: professional workshops, development of municipal regulations, research studies, land acquisition, land survey costs, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, trail maintenance, invasive species removal, public education and more.
Small Education Grant: There will be a “rolling deadline.” Requests will be acted upon as they are received. Please allow 60 days between the time of the application and the program for which you seek funding.
Watershed Grant: There will be a “rolling deadline.” Requests will be acted upon as they are received. Please send in the final application at least 2 weeks before the next board meeting so members have time to review. Decisions will generally be made within 30 days after the meeting or upon receipt of additional requested information.
Complete the grant application and submit it via email to info@eightmileriver.org
Please read through the instructions above and email any questions to info@eightmileriver.org