Services / Environmental Management / Confluence Newsletter

Confluence: April 2002, Vol. 4, No. 3
In Focus

There are a number of benefits to combining the efforts and interests of varied groups for a project. More groups means more people; more people means more resources and ideas. Further, by combining the efforts of groups who do not all share the same specific areas of interest or expertise, project coordinators can avoid the groupthink phenomenon that often traps people into outmoded ways of conceptualizing problems. An approach that incorporates multiple groups thus increases the chances of envisioning new, creative, and better solutions. In terms of financial practicability, a partnership of several groups is likely to generate more funds for the project than is a single group. This is especially important when working at the community level, where individual groups may not by themselves be able to acquire sufficient funds for relatively large-scale projects. The EPA, in conjunction with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, has initiated a program to make diverse partnerships even more beneficial: The Five-Star Restoration Challenge Grant.

This grant provides financial assistance on a competitive basis to support community-based wetland, riparian, and coastal habitat restoration projects that build diverse partnerships and foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach, and training activities. In 2001, 60 projects received grants of on average $10,000 out of approximately 230 applications received.

The stars in "Five-Star" are the partners, funders, and/or participants necessary to complete the project. These can include schools or youth organizations; local or tribal governments; local businesses or corporations; conservation organizations or local citizens groups; state and federal resource management agencies; and foundations or other funders. Projects must include a strong on-the-ground wetland, riparian, or coastal habitat restoration component and should also include education, outreach, and community stewardship components. Applicants must demonstrate that measurable ecological, educational, social, and/or economic benefits are expected to result from the completion of the project.

For complete details on this program, or to apply, visit http://nfwf.org/programs/5star-rfp.htm

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