FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

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

Media Advisory: Nebraska Environmental Trust 2009 - 1st Quarter Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants

Lincoln, NE – February 6, 2009 – The Nebraska Environmental Trust awarded a total of $13,921 to seven Public Information and Education (PIE) MiniGrants at its board meeting that took place on February 5, 2009. Fourteen MiniGrant applications were received for the 2009 – 1st Quarter PIE MiniGrants requesting a total of $34,469. This is the first round of awards for 2009.

The following projects were awarded Minigrants:

• Landowner Habitat Tours by Pheasants Forever, Inc.
• Recycling/Waste Reduction – Husker Harvest Days by the Grand Island Area Clean Community System
• Pine Ridge Bird Banding Program Expansion by Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
• Salt Creek Environment: Local and Endangered by Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, Inc – Great Plains Chapter
• Nature Explore Outdoor Learning Environment by Chadron State College – Child Development Center Laboratory
• Parents Guide to Nature Play by Green Hearts Institute for Nature in Childhood
• State Habitat Seminar by Pheasants Forever, Inc.

The PIE grants are limited to $2500 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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