FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sheila Johnson
Public Information Officer, Nebraska Environmental Trust
Phone: (402) 471-5409
Fax: (402) 471-8233
sheila.johnson@nebraska.gov

Nebraska Environmental Trust Awards 2008 – 4th Quarter Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants

Lincoln, NE – November 18, 2008 – The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded a total of $12,380 to five Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants at its Board Meeting that took place on November 13, 2008. Ten MiniGrant applications were received for the 2008 – 4th Quarter PIE MiniGrants requesting a total of $24,387. The five projects were the first round of awards since the revised rating scale was introduced in February this year. The next PIE MiniGrants deadline will be on December 12, 2008 for the second round of awards in February of 2009.

The following projects were awarded Minigrants:

• 14th Annual Rainwater Basin Joint Venture Informational Seminar by the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture
• Ranch-based Conservation Pilot “Cowhand Conservation” by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Panhandle No-Till Partnership Winter Conference by the Panhandle Resource, Conservation & Development Office
• Access to Wise Natural Resource Use Materials in Spanish by the University of Nebraska, Cooperative Extension
• Wellhead Protection Area Management by the Groundwater Foundation

The PIE grants are limited to $2,500 and are awarded quarterly.  They were created as a MiniGrant program for public information and education projects.  They support the presentation and dissemination of information and perspectives that stimulate enhanced environmental stewardship in any category eligible for Trust funding.  This grant program seeks to expand dialogue on important current conservation topics and to provide information on emerging or highly useful conservation methods.

For a listing of the final PIE Minigrants, visit: www. environmentaltrust.org

For more information, you may contact Ms Sheila Johnson at 402-471-1714.

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