The Coldwater Heritage Partnership Tuesday announced the opening of the 2016 Coldwater Conservation Grants Program application period.  Applications are due December 18.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership provides technical assistance and funding support for the evaluation, conservation and protection of Pennsylvania’s coldwater streams.

Grants are awarded to organizations to outline strategies and complete implementation projects that best conserve and protect our coldwater fisheries.  Two types of grants are awarded:

-- Planning Grant: Grants of approximately $5,000 will be awarded to create a coldwater conservation plan that will ultimately conserve and protect the coldwater streams of Pennsylvania.

This grant is to:  Gather existing data about the coldwater ecosystem; Identify potential impacts, threats, problems and opportunities to our coldwater streams; Formulate a plan of action for proposed conservation and protection strategies; and Build community awareness and support for the conservation of our coldwater streams.

-- Implementation Grant: Grants of approximately $7,000 will be awarded to implement recommendations from a completed coldwater conservation plan or other report. Potential projects should protect or enhance the coldwater stream for which the coldwater conservation plan or similar document was originally completed.

The Coldwater Heritage Partnership urges watershed groups, conservation districts, municipalities and local chapters of Trout Unlimited to apply.

Besides offering grants, CHP works to: foster a greater public understanding of watershed characteristics and how they affect coldwater ecosystems; identify special areas of concern, such as areas with exceptional water quality and high potential for impacts; and provide technical assistance and financial opportunities to organizations dedicated to protecting our coldwater ecosystems.

The CHP is a cooperative effort of Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Fish and Boat Commission and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds.

Applications and instructions are available at the Coldwater Heritage Partnership website. For more information, contact Samantha Ferguson, Program Director, at 814-359-5233.

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9/21/2015