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The 2009 Five Star application deadline is February 16, 2009.

Funding Availability

In addition to EPA funding for projects located within any U.S. state or territory, special funding is available from our two corporate sponsors in the several southeast states and most of northern and central California.

$200,000 in grant funding from Southern Company and its operating companies (Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Gulf Power, and Mississippi Power) is available for projects located in the following areas:

• Georgia (excluding Union, Fannin and Towns Counties)         
• Alabama (excluding Lauderdale, Colbert, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marshall, Morgan, Jackson, DeKalb, Cherokee and Cullman Counties)            
• The Florida Panhandle (west of the Apalachicola River)            
• Southeast Mississippi (23 counties, from Meridian to the coast, with the west boundary running from Pearl River County to Union County)

$266,667 in grant funding from PG&E’s Nature Restoration Trust Program is available for projects located in the PG&E service area in northern and central California.

Guidelines for Applicants

The selection committee, which is comprised of representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Federation, National Association of Counties and Wildlife Habitat Council, choose projects based upon specific criteria. Organizations or projects that have received funding under this program previously are eligible to reapply, however, preference will be given to those that have not previously received support.

Five Star Criteria

Projects must involve diverse partnerships ideally comprised of five organizations that contribute funding, technical assistance, workforce support, and/or other in-kind services.

Toyota partnered with Open Meadow Alternative Schools and others to complete the Willamette Bluffs Urban Migratory Bird Habitat project in Portland, Oregon. Students restored and performed a point-count data survey in support of urban migratory and breeding birds on a 1.2-acre parcel of Willamette flood plain wetlands on Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge.

• Are part of a larger watershed and/or community stewardship effort;       
• Include specific provisions for long-term management and protection;       
• Demonstrate the value of innovative, collaborative approaches to restoring national waterways;       
• Give detailed descriptions with use of proven restoration methods and techniques; and       
• Have begun setting up their educational/outreach component(s).

Grant Writing Resources

The biggest challenge faced by Five Star applicants is to develop a comprehensive grant proposal that is complete and reflects the goals of the grant program. Here are some resources to help with the project planning and application processes as you assemble you grant application package.

• EPA Grant-Writing Tutorial             
• Funding Wetlands Projects             
• Environmental Finance Program

Technical Resources for Grant Applicants and Recipients

• An Introduction and Users Guide to Wetland Restoration, Creation, and Enhancement             
• Volunteer Wetlands Monitoring: An Introduction and Resource Guide         
• Volunteer Wetlands Monitoring Materials

Learn more about Wetlands!

WHC and our partner organizations can help you prepare your application! We can work with you to find partners, help strengthen your project’s objectives or provide advice on agencies that provide the necessary permits. Please contact WHC's main office at 301-588-8994.

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