The Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic (LDWS) River Management Council announces the availability of 2023 Wild & Scenic Mini-Grants.
Donor Name: Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic (LDWS) River Management Council
States: New Jersey, Pennsylvania
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/16/2022
Size of the Grant:$5,000
Details:
These grants are intended for projects that support and enhance the goals of the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Plan
Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic Management Council Goals
Projects consistent with the LDWS management plan and that further Management Plan goals are eligible.
- Goal 1: Water Quality
- Maintain existing water quality in the Delaware River and its tributaries from measurable degradation and improve it where practical.
- Goal 2: Natural Resources
- Preserve and protect the river’s outstanding natural resources, including rare and endangered plant and animal species, river islands, steep slopes, and buffer areas in the river corridor and along the tributaries.
- Goal 3: Historic Resources
- Preserve and protect the character of historic structures, districts, and sites, including landscapes, in the river corridor.
- Goal 4: Recreation
- Encourage recreational use of the river corridor that has a low environmental and social impact and is compatible with public safety, the protection of private property, and the preservation of natural and cultural qualities of the river corridor.
- Goal 5: Economic Development
- Identify principles for minimizing the adverse impact of development within the river corridor and to encourage sustainable development where appropriate.
- Goal 6: Open Space Preservation
- Preserve open space as a means of maximizing the health of the ecosystem, preserving scenic values, and minimizing the impact of new development in the river corridor.
Project Preferences
- New applicants are encouraged. Prior LDW&S mini-grant winners may apply. Depending on the number of proposals received and the availability of funds, preference may be given to organizations who are not past recipients of the mini-grant program.
- Projects part of a partnership benefiting multiple entities will be given preference. One entity should be identified as the lead applicant.
- Stronger consideration will be given to proposals that address more than one LDW&S Management Plan goal as well as projects leveraging outside funding.
- Mandated mitigation projects, permit requirement studies, and capital or construction projects are not eligible.
- For the 2023 program, preference will be given to projects focusing on flood mitigation, stormwater management, as well as river and/or storm safety education and outreach. These projects would fall under the water quality and/or natural resource goals of the Management Plan. Such projects could include but are not limited to:
- The offer and distribution of free/discounted rain barrels and/or creating demonstration rain gardens landowners can replicate.
- The planting of riparian buffers and/or mediation of past mitigation projects.
- Naturalizing stormwater basins
- Outreach and education projects on storm safety to address the dangers of river use during and after storms and how to determine when the river is safe for recreation
- Aquatic organism passage and habitat connectivity
- Efforts to plan for climate resiliency
Grant Funding
Typical grants awarded are $5,000 or less, however, larger grants will be considered for especially compelling projects.
Criteria
Only projects being completed in and benefiting the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River corridor will be eligible.
The following eligible entities within the Lower Delaware Wild & Scenic corridor in New Jersey and Pennsylvania may apply:
- Municipal-appointed community committees that have completed the LDWS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) are eligible
- Schools
- Community or non-profit 501(c)3 organizations operating within the watershed
- Government entities including municipalities who have completed LDWS Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), municipal committees, counties, and the State of New Jersey and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
For more information, visit Mini-Grant Program.
