Water Quality Education Grant Program
MARC, on behalf of the regional Water Quality Education Committee, requests grant proposals from individuals, nonprofit and citizen groups who seek funding for events, activities or projects related to regional water quality concerns. Grant funds must be used to support activity and/or event planning, project implementation and associated costs. Activities, events and/or projects must be focused on water quality education or implementation of projects to improve water quality in area creeks or streams.
The next round of grant applications will take place in early 2009.
What types of projects are eligible to receive technical assistance?
This request is a product of MARC’s collaboration with several local, state and federal partners to facilitate and encourage public participation and education on NPS issues throughout the Kansas City region. Therefore, a wide range of potential projects may be eligible to receive assistance. The list below is intended simply to illustrate possibilities; it is not intended to be exhaustive.
For example, many groups may benefit from:
- Watershed Celebrations
- School/Community Rain Garden Projects
- Stream Buffer Plantings or Restoration Projects
- River/Lake/Stream Cleanups
- School-based Water Quality Educational Activities or Programs
- Pet Waste Education/Bag Dispenser and Signage Installation
- Neighborhood Water Quality Improvement Activities or Projects
Funding levels for event planning
Funding for projects may vary, but will not exceed $5,000 per project; most awards will be in the range of $2,000 to $3,000. A total of $20,000 is available for financial assistance. Grant funds will support no more than 50 percent of the proposed project budget (e.g. a 50 percent match will be required).
Program funders
Grant funds are administered by Mid-America Regional Council. The program is funded by local municipal contributions.
2008 grant recipients
- Beth Shalom Synagogue Rain Garden: $200 awarded
Volunteers from the Beth Shalom Synagogue created a 10 x 8 foot rain garden on May 18, 2008. The rain garden will improve water run-off on the property and can be used as a tool to educate the congregation about water conservation, environmental changes to the land and the specific rain garden plants indigenous to Kansas. - Big Muddy Clean Up: $2,350 awarded
The Missouri River Relief (MRR) will conduct a massive community cleanup over 16 river miles of the Missouri River from the mouth of the Blue River downstream to Missouri City, on October 4, 2008. This area is heavily impacted by trash from the urban areas of the metro. Trash commonly found in this reach of river is typically nonpoint source pollution carried by stormwater conveyances. Participants will be shuttled by agency partners in boats to pre-scouted locations on the river. Trash will be collected and placed at locations accessible to MRR work boats. Volunteers will return to La Benite for lunch. Trash will be hauled through the afternoon to dumpsters at La Benite Park. - Cass County Justice Center Rain Gardens: $3,0011.50 awarded
The South Grand River Watershed Alliance, in partnership with the Cass County Commissioners and the Missouri Department of Conservation, will install rain gardens and an educational sign at the Justice Center, 2501 W. Wall, Harrisonville, Missouri. These rain gardens will be planted with appropriate native plants, and mulched with hardwood mulch. Information about the function of rain gardens will be developed for the sign that will be installed in a prominent location near a rain gardens. - KC Clean Streams Event: $3,500 awarded
KC Clean Streams, sponsored by the Blue River Watershed Association, is the only annual metropolitan-wide trash clean up event for students of all ages, with a focus on the rivers and streams that cross the Kansas City area. Students witness first-hand the adverse impact of trash on our environment, while taking a proactive role in caring for community resources. KC Clean Streams provides students with a hands-on, experiential learning opportunity specifically designed to align with important science curriculum standards.
For additional information regarding this grant program, please contact Jennifer Blattman at jblattman@marc.org or (816) 474-4240.