The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Program, has announced it is accepting applications for the 2006 Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grants Program through February 3.

The Small Watershed Grants Program seeks to—

· Support communities in developing and implementing watershed management plans;

· Encourage innovative, locally-based programs or projects that improve water quality and restore important habitats within the Chesapeake Bay basin;

· Develop the capacity of local governments, citizens groups, and other organizations to promote community based stewardship and enhance local watershed management;

· Encourage environmentally sensitive development, land conservation, and sound land use planning;

· Promote a greater understanding of the Chesapeake Bay and the interrelationship between the health of the Bay and the condition of local watersheds; and

· Strengthen the link between communities and the Chesapeake Bay Program.

NFWF will be offering a series of free grant workshops at locations around the watershed in December. The workshops in Pennsylvania will be held on--

· December 5 – State College, Days Inn, from 1-3 p.m.; and

· December 6 – Harrisburg, Benjamin Olewine III Nature Center Wildwood, 10-12.

Each workshop is intended to provide an overview of the Small Watershed Grants Program, offer recommendations on what makes for a strong proposal, and answer any questions that potential applicants may have about this year's program. In particular, this year's application form features an expanded project evaluation section, which will be discussed in more detail at the workshops.

For more information on the program, visit the Small Watershed Grants webpage and the Workshops webpage to RSVP your attendance.

11/25/2005