ZBGA is an eligibility-based grant program that provides consistent operational support for existing natural heritage collections and interpretive programs, with the goal of elevating and expanding the quantity and quality of natural heritage learning opportunities available to the public.
Donor Name: New York State of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation
State: New York
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/14/2022
Details:
These grants provide eligible local governments and not-for-profit organizations with timely and stable annual funding to maintain, operate, and secure permanent collections of natural specimens, and to offer robust educational programs interpreting those collections.
ZBGA provides reimbursement for expenses related to the care, maintenance, security and interpretation of eligible collections. Funds are made available through an appropriation from the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and administered through the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be municipal or not-for-profit organizations that own, house, care for, and interpret living or systematically organized collections of biological specimens of natural origin, and that primarily provide such services to the general public on a regular and predictable basis. Eligible collections must meet at least one of the below definitions:
- preserved and systematically organized biological objects such as vascular and nonvascular plants, vertebrate and invertebrate animals and fossils that are interpreted in conjunction with living collections;
- living animals and plants that are cared for and interpreted for the public in artificial or substitute habitats as captives or transplants;
- natural habitats of New York State that are formally dedicated in perpetuity to be maintained as viable, natural ecological associations for wild animals and plants, and that are interpreted for the public.
- Eligible organizations may include, but are not necessarily limited to: zoos, botanical gardens, arboretums, aquaria, bird sanctuaries, natural habitat preserves, natural science museums, and nature and environmental centers.
Program Restrictions
The following entities, programs and activities are not eligible for funding under the Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquaria Program:
- Ineligible Entities include:
- for-profit organizations
- public school districts or their components
- Federal agencies and their programs
- New York State agencies and departments
- cemeteries 501(c)(13)
- Ineligible Collections and Programs include:
- natural history collections
- historical, archaeological or anthropological collections
- art collections
- science-technology collections
- astronomy collections
- gardens and plantings that are primarily decorative, ornamental, or commercial
- programs primarily concerned with horticulture, i.e., the culture of plants for food, comfort, or beauty
- programs primarily concerned with genetically domesticated plants and/or animals (i.e.,. petting zoos, farms)
- Ineligible Activities include:
- research projects
- land acquisitions
- program activities solely restricted to or directed towards an organization’s membership or clients
- lobbying or political activities
- fundraising activities
- collection acquisitions
- primarily commercial activities
- rescue and rehabilitation
- food services
- overhead and other indirect expenses.
For more information, visit NYSPRHP.
