October 12, 2020 – PENSACOLA, FL. - The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program is pleased to announce the release of the 2020-2021 Mini-Grant Program funding opportunity. This program will fund action projects that serve to restore, preserve, connect, inform, and educate. The funding opportunity includes eight eligible project categories that support the Estuary Program’s core vision: water quality, habitat restoration, fish and wildlife conservation, watershed awareness and education, resilience, invasive species, citizen science, and aquatic trash/marine debris.
Award amounts will range from $5,000 to $50,000 with an anticipated total award amount of $200,000. Local governments or nonstate entities (educational institutions and 501(c)3s) are eligible to submit a proposal for projects located within the Perdido and/or Pensacola watershed within Escambia, Santa Rosa, and/or Okaloosa counties.
“I’m incredibly excited to establish the program’s first Mini-Grant Program that not only works to improve our environment, but also our quality of life,” says Interim Executive Director, Matt Posner.
The deadline to apply is 11:59pm CT on November 6, 2020 and projects must be completed by June 1, 2021. Priority consideration will be given to “shovel ready” action projects and projects that inform, engage, and educate the community. Projects that leverage match, including volunteer efforts, will also receive priority consideration.
The Mini-Grant Program is made possible through the support of the Florida Legislature. The Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program was awarded $500,000 in legislative appropriations, $200,000 of which has been allocated to support the Mini-Grant Program. The Estuary Program offers their deepest appreciation to Representative Andrade and Senator Broxson for sponsoring the Program’s legislative funding request.
“I was proud to bring home $500,000 to support the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program this year. This funding will support water quality monitoring, public outreach, and the establishment of the Estuary Program’s first Mini-Grant Program, ensuring that we maintain and improve water quality for years to come. I want to thank Matt Posner and all those involved at Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program for working non-stop to protect our waterways for future generations,” said Representative Alex Andrade.
“This program will help continue the great work being done to restore and preserve Pensacola and Perdido Bays," said Senator Broxson. "I will continue to support this effort in Tallahassee.”
“We believe in local solutions for local issues. Our community understands the issues we face more than anyone else, so it makes sense to provide them with the necessary resources to make positive changes that benefit us all. The grant program does just that, allowing us to directly support the actions of our stakeholders and partners,” said Matt Posner. “Our hope is to secure continued funding to establish a Mini-Grant Program for many years to come.”
For additional details and to apply, please visit https://ppbep.org/mini-grant-program.
The Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP) is a stakeholder-driven, science-based organized charged with restoring and preserving the Pensacola Bay System and Perdido Bay System, and their associated watersheds. PPBEP is guided by a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP), which serves as a blueprint for the restoration and preservation of area waterways. Through these actions, PPBEP’s vision is to create a healthy and sustainable environment, economy, and community. The PPBEP is a coalition of local, state and federal stakeholders from Baldwin, Escambia (FL), Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties and the cities of Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Milton, Orange Beach and the Town of Century. Join us to ensure fishable, swimmable waters for all. Dive in at ppbep.org or follow us @ppbepflal on Facebook and @ppbep_flal on Instagram.
Media Contact: Logan McDonald, Community Outreach Coordinator (850) 595-1479 [email protected]
