August 18, 2006

INFORMATIONAL

TO:

Division Superintendents

FROM:

Billy K. Cannaday, Jr.

Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT:

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee Grants

The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee is accepting grant applications to conduct Chesapeake Bay-related education and restoration activities. The grants are funded with money from the sale of the special Chesapeake Bay license plate, "Friend of the Chesapeake." This year $356,000 in grant money will be awarded to eligible applicants. During this past year, 47 grantees received $352,021 in grant funds.

The deadline for submitting proposals for 2007 support grants is October 1, 2006. Grant funds will be awarded in May-June 2007. To be eligible for receiving a grant, applicants should submit proposals emphasizing environmental education or restoration and conservation of the Chesapeake Bay. Projects focusing on environmental education should increase public awareness and knowledge about the Bay, and projects of a restoration and conservation nature should be action oriented.

Please note that these kinds of projects may be useful for helping to meet many of the 2003 Science Standards of Learning. In addition, these projects will support the implementation of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement goal of providing meaningful watershed educational experiences to all students. A description of this goal may be found at http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/cesc/c2k.pdf.

Applications will be accepted from private not-for-profit conservation organizations, schools and universities, and governmental agencies whose projects will affect bodies of water that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. There is no limit on the amount that an applicant may request. Grants are awarded for one year, except in special circumstances.

More information on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, including the application, grant guidelines, and a catalogue of past projects can be found at http://dls.state.va.us/cbrfac.htm. You can also obtain information, applications, and guidelines by contacting the Division of Legislative Services, General Assembly Building, 910 Capitol Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, and (804) 786-3591.

For further information, please contact Ms. Paula Klonowski, science specialist, Office of Elementary Instructional Services, by e-mail at Paula.Klonowski@doe.virginia.gov, or by telephone at (804) 371-0249.

BKC/PK/rt