Long Island Sound Futures Fund Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2016 Applicant Workshop Applicant Workshop

Transcription

1 ) Presentation Photo: Long Island Sound Futures Fund Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2016 Applicant Workshop Applicant Workshop Photo Credit: Rocking the Boat 2/20/2015

2 Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) 2016 Webinar Rules of the Road Do not hit your hold button. Question? Input the question into the question box on the control panel. We will repeat your question to the group and then respond. Problem? Type it into the question box on the control panel. We will try to resolve it during the webinar.

3 Long Island Sound Futures Fund (LISFF) 2016 Agenda Welcome and Introductions Purpose Sources & Amount of Available Funding LISFF Overall and Coastal Boundary Types of Grants Program Priorities Project Examples

4 Agenda Grant Guidelines existing and what s new! Evaluation Factors Parts of a LISFF Proposal Important Dates Tips for Preparing a Successful Proposal Help and Feedback? Breakout Topics - feel free to migrate What s new appears in red in this PowerPoint

5 Purpose Restoration and protection of the health and living resources of Long Island Sound (LIS) including: Clean Water and Healthy Watersheds Thriving and Abundant Wildlife Educating to Engage Sustainable & Resilient Communities See the updated Long Island Sound Comprehensive Conservation and Management (CCMP) Plan 2015 at: longislandsoundstudy.net CCMP summaries available at the LISFF Workshop Registration Table

6 Sources & Amount of Available Funding Approximately $1 to $1.2 million from:

7 LISFF Overall Boundary LIS Watershed Boundary in CT & NY (EPA, NEP)

8 LISFF Coastal Boundary LISS Coastal Boundary Red line is the LISFF coastal boundary

9 Types of Grants Large Grants Implementation Grants. $20,000 to $150,000 awarded to support projects that result in quantifiable pollutant reductions or measureable gains in habitat restored. Planning and Water Quality Monitoring Grants. $20,000 to $60,000 awarded to support planning and design activities that set the stage for on-the-ground implementation of water quality or habitat restoration projects; or water quality monitoring of the Sound and/or its embayments. Public Participation and Education Grants: $20,000 to $35,000 awarded to larger, hands-on, visible public participation and education projects.

10 Types of Grants Small Grants Ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 awarded to hands-on, visible public participation and education projects often involving a limited number of activities and/or locations (i.e., a beach cleanup, National Estuary Day celebration) focused on LIS.

11 Program Priorities Clean Water and Healthy Watersheds. Improve water quality by delivering projects that reduce CSOs, stormwater runoff, and nonpoint source loading including: Green infrastructure Conservation activities that reduce pollution at its source Locally-driven watershed protection plans Identify and monitor local pollution sources in embayments (See LISFF RFP for embayment monitoring requirements) Consider the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan and/or the US EPA Comprehensive Nitrogen Reduction Strategy for Long Island Sound as technical references

12 Clean Water Project Example Curb cut and berm from where water flows into raingarden Photos: Village Photo: of Ardsley URI New Haven Facebook The Northeast Organic Photo: Farming Amy Mandelbaum, Association installed NY Sea green Grant infrastructure (GI) to capture, store and treat 181,518 gallons of stormwater annually and increase biodiversity at Naugatuck Valley Community College and Three Rivers Community College. Activities: 1) 1,300 sq. ft. of rain garden, a 400 sq. ft. meadow; and 3 rain barrels, 2) GI workshops to100 students in Horticulture and Sustainable Landscaping programs, 3) outreach to 9,600 people through newsletters, Facebook; and 4) install 3 educational signs $51,307 grant.

13 Clean Water Project Example Curb cut and berm from where water flows into raingarden Photos: Village Photo: of Ardsley URI New Haven Facebook Town of Mamaroneck Photo: will install Amy Mandelbaum, green infrastructure NY Sea at Grant Mamaroneck Town Center. Activities: 1) installing 23,250 sq. ft. of permeable pavers, 2,044 sq. ft. of porous pavement in the parking lot, permeable pedestrian sidewalks, a rainwater harvesting system, a biofilter retention area, two raingardens, and eight catch basin filter baskets, 2) monitoring project performance; 3) conducting public education to 161,000 residents, and 4) installing 5 signs that identify and explain green infrastructure benefits $148,876 grant.

14 Clean Water Project Example Curb cut and berm from where water flows into Credit: Town of Huntington raingarden Photos: Village Photo: of Ardsley URI New Haven Facebook Town of Huntington Photo: will install Amy green Mandelbaum, infrastructure NY Sea at Grant the Centerport Beach Recreation Facility to reduce storm water run-off from entering Northport Bay and Long Island Sound. Activities: 1) remove 6,700 sq. ft. of impervious asphalt and concrete and then installing pipes, 5 catch basins, and bioretention soil and swales w/ native plants; 2) install permeable pavers to further treat stormwater and provide for public access; and 3) create signage, an interpretive kiosk, a how-to video, 5,000 educational brochures, 40 social media posts and tweets, other outreach to local media to educate 5,000+ residents and 25,000+ members of the public $137,322 grant.

15 Program Priorities Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife. Restore coastal habitats; and foster diverse, balanced and abundant populations of fish, birds and wildlife Restore one or more of the twelve types of coastal habitat targeted for restoration (longislandsoundstudy.net/issues-actions/habitatquality) Enhance the resiliency of coastal habitats and living shorelines

16 Program Priorities Create fish passage for targeted Sound species (alewife and blueback herring etc.). Priority given to projects with monitoring strategies to support and/or establish long-term spawning run counts Restore habitat connectivity i.e., rivers and their riparian buffers reconnected, contiguous acres of coastal habitat restored, and habitat patches restored

17 Program Priorities Reduce the impact of invasive species Restore coastal forest, intertidal flats and rocky zones, beaches and grassland and other habitat types for coastal birds (i.e. American oystercatcher, piping plover etc.) Restore eelgrass and shellfish reefs to provide habitat for marine populations & to improve water quality Credit: Patrick Comins

18 Sacred Heart University constructed a 3.5 acre intertidal salt marsh pilot living shoreline designed to protect the coast from storm generated erosion. Other activities: 1) collected & analyzed abiotic/biotic data to assess the success of the living shoreline and to enhance reestablishment of Spartina fringe tidal marsh, 2) Produced a long term management plan to address coastal erosion, and 3) Data shared with CT DEEP and the Long Island Sound Study to provide data about living shorelines as alternatives to hardened shoreline structures $56,056 grant. Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2016 Thriving Habitat and Abundant Wildlife Project Examples Credit: Sacred Heart University Photo: Randall s Island Park Alliance Photo: Long Island Sound Study

19 Thriving Habitat and Abundant Wildlife Project Examples Credit: Sacred Heart University Credit: NYC DPR Photo: Randall s Island Park Alliance Photo: Long Island Sound Study New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will tackle control of mile-a-minute on 60 acres of coastal forest and grassland at Pelham Bay Park. Activities: 1) Project will apply mechanical, chemical and biological control targeted to site conditions and infestation level, and 2) Plant areas with 4,000 trees and 2,000 shrubs assisted by 15 volunteers $150,000 grant.

20 Program Priorities Educating to Engage Sustainable and Resilient Communities: Increase the knowledge and engagement of the public in the protection and restoration of Long Island Sound. Involve the public in the cleanup and ecological restoration or protection of the health and living resources of the Sound Provide natural landscaping guidance to communities and homeowners to encourage the use of alternatives to chemical and nutrient-intensive landscaping Increase appreciation and understanding of the Sound for underprivileged and non-traditional audiences in urban areas

21 Program Priorities Increase Long Island Sound environmental and conservation-related instruction in classrooms Offer festivals, celebrations and events in natural resource-based, science education locations (i.e., aquariums, museums) to develop awareness about and encourage appreciation and use of the Sound Promote environmentally sustainable recreational activities along the Sound

22 Program Priorities Develop education and awareness w/ comprehensive social marketing campaigns targeting specific stakeholders with projects or programs to achieve measureable environmental improvements in the Sound Examples of social marketing projects supported by LISFF: All public engagement and education projects must 1) involve hands-on activities that engage target audiences and 2) be specifically related to and integrate into their delivery concepts and activities focused upon protection or restoration of the health and living resources of the Sound.

23 Education and Public Participation Project Examples Photo: Greenburgh Nature Center Perfect Earth will deliver a toxin-free lawn care program with education for homeowners and landscapers. Other activities: 1) Mailing & distribution of program brochures at local stores and by partner organizations to recruit participants, 2) Conducting an internet evaluation to measure motivations for going toxin free, willingness to pay for toxin free lawn care, and concerns with the toxin free approach, 3) 4 educational sessions about toxin-free lawn care, and 4) Delivering four toxin-free lawn care practices addressing fertilization, pest control, culture and irrigation on 75 acres of lawn $32,788 grant.

24 Education and Public Participation Project Examples The CT River Museum will deliver an education program in an exhibit that contains scientific information packaged in a fun, 1950s sci-fi theme (think Godzilla) to inform 14,000 people about the threat of invasive species from air, land and water. Activities: 1) Develop transportable exhibit about invasive species and discovery exploration lab providing an opportunity for children and adults to do their own investigation, 2) Develop a call-to-action space summarizing the exhibit and asking visitors to take a stand against invasive species by changing their habits and getting involved with eradication, 3) Conduct 2 hikes/ paddles that take people by land and water to explore native species, and 4) Conduct an invasive species day and environmental forum $34,993 grant.

25 Grant Guidelines Project Performance Period. Start within six months and be completed within months after notification of grant award. Project start dates cannot be before October 1, Eligible Applicants. Non-profit 501(c) organizations; state, tribal, and local governments; and academic and educational institutions. For-profit entities are not eligible for grants under this RFP, but may partner with eligible applicants. Match Requirements: Applicants must contribute non-federal matching cash funds and/or in-kind services valued at a minimum of 50% of grant amount requested from LISFF (ask for $100k grant match is $50k). Project match can only be applied during the project performance period of the LISFF grant. Quality Assurance: If a project involves significant monitoring, data collection or data use, grantees will be asked to prepare an EPA quality Assurance Project Plan for approval.

26 Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2015 Proposal Evaluation Factors Proposals will be evaluated and scored using a one (1) lowest to five (5) highest scale based upon the extent to which it meets the following criteria: Environmental Results. Project addresses one or more of the program priorities outlined in the Request for Proposal. Project has specific, quantifiable performance metrics to evaluate project success. Level of Match. Contribution of match at 50% of the total project budget will be scored three (3) in the match category. Contribution of match 51%- 75% of the total project budget will be scored four (4) in the match category. Contribution of match 76>% of the total project budget will be scored with a five (5) in the match category. Budget. Costs are allowable, reasonable and budgeted in accordance with LISFF cost categories.

27 Proposal Evaluation Factors Technical Merit. The project is technically sound and feasible, and the proposal sets forth a clear, logical, and achievable work plan and timeline. Project engages appropriate technical experts throughout project planning, design and implementation to ensure activities are technically-sound and feasible. Qualifications. The applicant, organization, and partner experience is relevant to delivery of the project, and/or entity has a proven track record of success in implementing conservation projects with specific measurable results. Communication Project includes a detailed plan to communicate information about the project to appropriate audiences.

28 Parts of the LISFF Application: Program Metrics See the LISFF RFP for a list of Project Metrics provided to you to allow us to better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grants. grants. Project Activity Recommended Metric Additional Guidance Outreach to the public or stakeholders intended increase knowledge about protection and restoration of Long Island Sound Capacity, Outreach, Incentives- Outreach/ Education/ Technical Assistance- # people with knowledge Provide # and type of participant. In notes, Describe expected results, % increase in awareness or knowledge, from the outreach and education You must select from this group of metrics.

29 Parts of the LISFF Application: Program Metrics You must select from this group of metrics.

30 Parts of the LISFF Application: Eligibility Quiz

31 Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2015 Parts of the LISFF Application: In Easygrants

32 PLEASE NOTE: APPLICANT DATA SHEET REFERENCE WILL NOT REQUIRED THIS YEAR!! Long Island Sound Futures Fund 2015 Parts of the LISFF Application: Easygrants Uploads

33 Narrative Application Narrative. Problem statement, solution, methods/workplan, qualifications, monitoring, past performance, and communication. 10 page limit.

34 Budget MORE DETAIL REQUIRED AND NEW FORMAT!

35 Budget Only Covers Funds You are Requesting from LISFF!

36 Budget Check out the Indirect Rate Policy and Calculator at:

37 Important Dates IMPORTANT DATES are subject to change. Please check the LISFF of the website for the most current dates and information at Full Proposal Due Date 5/5/ :59pm Eastern Time Review Period Summer 2016 Awards Announced October 2016

38 Tips for Preparing a Successful Proposal Go to the LISFF webpage at Print out and review the available resources including: o Tip Sheet. Step by step guide on using the online system. o Detailed Budget Instructions & Indirect Policy Familiarize yourself with the online system. Start collecting required financial documents and letters of support early Read the RFP.

39 Help and Feedback? General LISFF Lynn Dwyer, 631/ Michael Lagua, 202/ Other Technical Assistance Education/Public Participation: Amy Mandelbaum, 631/ & CT: Judy Preston, 860/ , Habitat Restoration/Species Conservation: Cassie Bauer, (NY applicants) 631/ & Harry Yamalis, 860/ , (CT applicants) Water Quality: Cassie Bauer, 631/ , (NY applicants) & Mark Parker, 860/ , (CT applicants)

40 Good Luck!