SARASOTA, FL – The
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is accepting applications for the 2013 Bay
Partner Grants Program with a deadline of March 1. The purpose of the annual
program is to promote environmental
education, community involvement and stewardship to improve the overall quality
of Sarasota Bay and its tributaries. Organizations can receive up to $3,000
for projects that benefit Sarasota Bay. SBEP has awarded $213,000 in grants to
more than 100 organizations since 2002.
Schools, businesses,
non-profit organizations, academic institutions, churches, and civic groups in
Sarasota and Manatee counties are eligible. The watershed boundaries are from
Anna Maria Sound to the Venice Inlet as well as all of the barrier islands. Some
of the prior projects have included wildlife gardens and landscaping featuring
Florida native plants, micro-irrigation projects, land contouring to create
bioswales, signs that promote Bay-stewardship, and education programs.
Bay Partner Grant applications must be received at the SBEP offices by
4pm on Friday, March 1 to be eligible. Applications can be emailed as a Word
document or PDF file to Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org.
You can learn more about the grant program online by visiting the Get Involved
page on the SBEP website at sarasotabay.org. The website also lists the eight
grant projects that were funded for 2012. Inquires are welcome at 941-955-8085
or sara@sarasotabay.org.