September 2009
In This Issue:
- Message from the Executive Director
- Five-Year Funding Categories Public Meetings
- Celebrate Fall Tree Planting during Re-Tree Nebraska Week, September 19-26
- Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrant Application Information
- Upcoming Events
Message from the Executive Director
Well fall is just around the corner. With Husker Harvest Days over and football underway, you know summer is wrapping up in Nebraska. We have 110 applications for the 2010 grant cycle and we are hoping to have around $15 M to award. Staff, technical reviewers and the Grants Committee will be busy sorting and evaluating grants.
We had a booth at the State Fair that provided an opportunity for Sheila and I to interact with the public and inform them about the Trust. I can’t count the number of people that said, “I’m glad some of my gambling money is going to a good cause”. Several people thanked me for the great work we are doing. It is very gratifying to hear from the public. Sheila and Lori had a booth at the World O! Water and got to visit with kids and their parents at Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District.
At the end of September we will host public meetings in each of the three Congressional Districts to review the Trust Board’s funding categories for the 2011 – 2015 grants. The current recommendations are very minor and can be seen in this newsletter along with the dates, times and locations of those three public meetings.
Our fourth quarter board meeting will be held on November 12th at 1:30 PM at the Ferguson House.
Enjoy the remainder of the summer and let’s hope for a wonderful fall.
Mark A. Brohman
Executive Director
Five-Year Funding Categories Public Meetings
The Nebraska Environmental Trust will be holding public meetings for the Five-Year Funding Categories as recommended by the Board.
At the July 30, 2009 3rd Quarter Board Policy Discussion Session, the Nebraska Environmental Trust Board reviewed public input from the June 26, 2009 category roundtable and survey results from participants and others. The Board decided that most participants were satisfied with the existing funding categories and only slight modifications were needed in two of the categories.
The first change was within the Surface and Ground Water category. The Board decided to change “…lakes, streams and ground water…” to “…lakes, waterways and groundwater…”. This change was seen as being more descriptive.
The second change was within the Air Quality category. The recommended change was from “implementing clean air strategies; actions to research,…” to “implementing clean air strategies; including greenhouse gas reductions; actions to research…”. This change allows some additional attention to be provided to energy related projects.
There was discussion about adding, deleting and combining funding categories, but in the end the small modifications were the only recommended changes. After much discussion about noxious weeds, the board determined the Trust had funded many noxious weed projects under the current categories. Energy projects were discussed and the slight change of adding “including greenhouse gas reduction” was believed to address the issue at this time.
The public meetings will be held on: Monday, September 28, 2009, 9:30 am to 11:00 am at Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, 8901 South 154th Street, Omaha; Monday, September 28, 2009, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Ferguson House (Environmental Trust Office), 700 South 16th Street, Lincoln and Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm at the Mid-Plains Community College Theater, South Campus, 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte.
Celebrate fall tree planting during ReTree Nebraska Week, September 19-26
Many people don't know that fall is a great time to plant trees in Nebraska. Fall's cooler temperatures and reduced humidity make it less stressful for newly planted trees to establish themselves before winter arrives. If you weren't able to celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting, now's your chance!
Join the celebration of fall tree planting by planting a tree in your community or your home landscape during ReTree Nebraska Week. For more information or tree species recommendations, visit www.retreenebraska.unl.edu and go to the ReTree Nebraska Week page.
Public Information and Education Minigrant Application Information
The Nebraska Academy of Sciences received a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust to administer the Public Information and Education Grants program previously managed by the Trust.
The Academy will take over administration of the PIE MiniGrant program in the fourth quarter of 2009. Fourth quarter applications are due October 9th.
Benefits of the PIE MiniGrants include:
- Simplified Application: Complete a PIE MiniGrant Application-- two forms and a written project narrative.
- Grant Funding up to $3,000: PIE MiniGrants have a limit of $3,000 for each grant.
- Quarterly Grant Cycle: The Academy will accept applications and announce new PIE MiniGrants on a quarterly basis.
The MiniGrant program is open to all applicants, public or private. Project eligibility is determined according to the standards established by Nebraska law for the program. Funding is not available under this program for projects which have been completed prior to the award.
To apply for a PIE Minigrant contact The Nebraska Academy of Sciences, 302 Morrill Hall, 14th and U Street, Lincoln, NE 68588-0339. Forms are also available on the website: www.neacadsci.org Click on the PIE grant link. Be sure to check the calendar for quarterly application deadlines. Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date to be considered.
Important Dates To Remember:
- September 18-20, 2009 - Missouri River Expo, Ponca State Park
- September 22-24, 2009 - North American Weed Management Association Conference, Kearney
- September 28 -29, 2009 - Trust Public Meetings on Five-Year Funding Categories in Lincoln, Omaha and North Platte (see above details)
- November 12, 2009 - 4th Quarter Board Meeting
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