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Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program Announces Mini-grant Recipients
TOMS RIVER - The Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program (BBNEP) announced the recipients of its 2008 Public Education and Participation Mini-grant Program, which was the most competitive in the BBNEP's 10-year history. Twentytwo proposals for projects totaling well over $370,000 were submitted for review. The BBNEP has awarded mini-grants to nine of these projects and will contribute $33,476 toward the total $103,993 cost of the projects.
The mini-grant program is designed to educate people and promote participation in protecting and restoring the Barnegat Bay watershed. This program is open to individuals, schools, non-profit organizations, businesses and government agencies. These projects will reach thousands of residents and visitors in the Barnegat Bay watershed.
Listed below are the nine projects that will receive funding:
Alliance for a Living Ocean (ALO), Beach Haven. The "Shellfish, Fish and a Healthy Bay" project will provide a set of handson educational experiences to visitors and residents of Long Beach Island, throughout the summer months of July and August and will include both weekly programs and special lectures. ALO's programs will educate children and adults regarding the importance of a healthy bay and how to prevent non-point source pollution.
Ocean County Soil Conservation District, Forked River. This project will provide picnic tables, signage, bird houses and feeders to complete the transformation of the five newest Rain Garden sites into practical and usable outdoor classrooms.
Berkeley Township Elementary School, Bayville. The Potter Creek Crusaders, a small group of dedicated sixth graders, will enhance their environmental studies by exploring the Potter Creek watershed and its relationship to the Barnegat Bay estuary. The students will share their experiences with the public through a variety of exhibits and multimedia presentations.
Parkday Organization, Toms River. This project will create an Internet-based multi-dimensional map of the Barnegat Bay watershed, on the BBNEP's website (www.bbnep.org). This interactive map will provide information on recreational and environmental facilities, outdoor activities, demonstration projects and natural resources.
Point Pleasant Environmental Commission, Point Pleasant Borough. To enhance its annual environmental poster contest for local children, the environmental commission and its partners will develop and provide an educational program for 500 students. This program will give students practical information on how they can help and emphasize the importance of protecting the estuary ecosystem.
American Littoral Society, Highlands. Representatives from the American Littoral Society will take to the airwaves on WOBM to introduce the public to the natural ecology of the Barnegat Bay. This radio campaign will make the connection between human behavior and the health of the Bay; inform people on how to be better stewards of their water resources; and promote participation in activities to improve the health of the Barnegat Bay.
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences, Loveladies. A new magazine-style book, the Long Beach Island Blue Pages, will be developed to inform summer visitors and residents on a wide variety of topics, from the history of the Barnegat Bay to environmental issues and responsible landscaping and boating. The Blue Pages will help foster a sense of responsibility and encourage cooperation in conservation.
South Toms River Municipal Alliance, South Toms River. The alliance will create a rain garden in the 88-acre woods bordering the Jakes Branch of the Toms River to provide an example of how these projects can reduce erosion and protect the waterways from storm water run-off pollution.
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona. A new "Master Naturalist" program similar to the volunteer Master Gardeners program will be formed to create a corps of trained volunteer-interpreters. Those completing the course will be required to provide 40 hours of community service each year to remain certified.
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