New York Sea Grant and DEC Announce $200,000 for Great Lakes Resilience Project Grants

New York Sea Grant and DEC Announce $200,000 for Great Lakes Resilience Project Grants

$25,000 Grants Will Protect New York's Great Lakes and Drive Economic Development

Ithaca, NY. New York Sea Grant and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the availability of up to $200,000 in grants for Great Lakes resilience projects. Up to $25,000 per project is available from the New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program administered by New York Sea Grant in partnership with DEC.

Eligible projects must use a complete ecosystem-based approach rather than a single issue or single species focus, incorporate stakeholder participation, and address key priorities in the New York Great Lakes Action Agenda to enhance community resiliency and ecosystem integrity through restoration, protection, and improved resource management. Stated goals include conserving and restoring native fish and wildlife biodiversity and habitats to achieve and sustain resilient ecosystems and vibrant economies.

"These grants will support projects that will protect our environment and strengthen the economy of New York's Great Lakes Basin. Governor Cuomo's historic investments in the Environmental Protection Fund are safeguarding New York's unmatched natural resources for future generations while driving economic development in Great Lakes communities. While there is uncertainty regarding the federal government's commitment to the Great Lakes, New York's commitment has never been stronger," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.

"This small grants program supports local stakeholder-driven projects that apply holistic approaches to meet pressing problems and opportunities for protecting our natural resources, environmental quality, and economic development," said New York Sea Grant Associate Director and Cornell University Cooperative Extension Assistant Director Katherine Bunting-Howarth, Ithaca, NY.

Not-for-profit organizations, county and local government or public agencies, municipalities, regional planning and environmental commissions, and educational institutions, including, but not limited to, public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are eligible to apply.

New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program application instructions are online. Webinars to help applicants will be available on July 19 and August 16. Proposals must be submitted by September 22, 2017. For more information and webinar registration, contact New York Sea Grant at 315-312-3042.

The New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program is funded through the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and Article 14 of Environmental Conservation Law.

Media Contacts:

• Katherine Bunting-Howarth, NY Sea Grant Associate Director, 607-255-2832
• Kevin O. Frazier, NYSDEC, 518-402-8000
• NYSG Great Lakes Publicist Kara Lynn Dunn, 315-465-7578

More Information:

New York Sea Grant, a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Sea Grant College Program. Since 1971, New York Sea Grant has promoted coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State's marine and Great Lakes resources. New York Sea Grant maintains Great Lakes offices in Buffalo, Newark, and Oswego. For updates on Sea Grant activities, visit the NY Sea Grant website. Connect with NYSG on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.