Environment DEC
From the September 2003 issue
Grants Announced for Projects in New York City and Westchester County
Governor George E. Pataki has announced 65 grants totaling $771,907 to organizations in New York City and Westchester County that encourage community involvement in environmental protection and education. The grants, supported by the New York City Environmental Fund, will help organizations promote active community stewardship of urban shorelines, waterways, parklands and open spaces.
New York City Environmental Fund projects foster restoration, care and public enjoyment of natural resources in the city and designated parts of Westchester County. To date, the fund has supported well over 300 projects. Award recipients include schools, education groups, museums, government agencies, aquariums and botanical gardens, among other community groups. Grants usually range from $5,000 to $35,000 and are administered by DEC and the Hudson River Foundation.
Grant Amounts and Recipients
The recently announced grants include the following:
- $20,000 - New York Aquarium's "Up River, Down River" program: to connect Brooklyn and Yonkers students through scientific activities on the ecology of marine and freshwater systems
- $10,000 - Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation: to recruit, organize and train community youth and adults to reclaim a sector of the Bronx River through volunteer activities
- $10,000 - Friends of Blue Heron Park, Staten Island: to continue environmental education classes, provide supplies for educators, expand summer workshop programs and launch a major outreach program
- $10,000 - Historic Hudson Valley, Westchester County: to create a trail and an ecological restoration project that will link three national historic landmarks
- $5,000 - Audubon New York: to continue its "For the Birds" program in New York City public schools, with a focus on habitat enhancement projects
History of NYC Environmental Fund
The New York City Environmental Fund was created in 1994 as part of an environmental enforcement settlement between DEC and the Consolidated Edison Company (ConEd). Under the terms of the settlement, ConEd provided $5 million to establish the fund for support of environmental stewardship and educational programs.
The grants will help promote
active community stewardship
of urban parklands
Hudson River Foundation's Mission
The Hudson River Foundation seeks to make science integral to decision-making with regard to the Hudson River and its watershed and to support competent stewardship of this extraordinary resource. This purpose is pursued through support of scientific research; communication to expand knowledge about the river among the scientific community, policymakers and the public at large; initiatives to enhance management of the Hudson ecosystem, and education about the river and physical improvements to the riverfront.
For more information about individual projects, please contact DEC's Dan Gilbert at (518)402-8000, or the Hudson River Foundation (see link below).
