FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Aug. 2, 2021
Contact: Christine Llobregat, cllobregat@openspace.org
Midpen invites organizations to apply for new grant funding opportunity
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is pleased to announce that $250,000 in funding is available through its 2022 Grantmaking Program funding round. Organizations are invited to submit pre-proposals for projects that further scientific understanding of our natural world, build capacity in the conservation field, or support nature-focused access, interpretation, and/or education for the public.
“First-time applicants and organizations that support access to nature for underserved communities are especially encouraged to apply,” Midpen General Manager Ana Ruiz said. “We are looking for a broad range of applicants, including those interested in basic science and strengthening conservation partnerships.”
Midpen is accepting pre-proposals for three funding priorities in two award tiers: tier 1 is for projects up to $25,000 and tier 2 will fund projects between $25,001 and $50,000. The funding priorities are:
- Applied science - advancing scientific understanding of natural processes and/or promoting environmental stewardship.
- Partnership and network support - cultivating, sustaining and growing conservation networks.
- Access, interpretation, and education - educating and promoting open space protection.
Eligible applicants must be one of the following: a public agency; affiliated with a K-12 school or academic institution; a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; or an organization with a fiscal sponsor. Applicants from the fiscal year 2018-2019 Grantmaking Program funding round are eligible to apply. Projects funded through this program must be complete and funds spent no later than three years after grant agreements are signed.
Information on Grantmaking Program awards from fiscal year 2019 can be found online at: openspace.org/grants
Key dates
- Aug. 18, 2021 Public workshop
- Sept. 1, 2021 Pre-proposals due
- Sept. 20, 2021 Invitations to submit full proposals
- Oct. 22, 2021 Full proposals due
- January 2022 Award notification
Grant Program prioritizes science, environmental partnerships and education
Applied Science
Proposals under the Applied Science priority should focus on academic or practitioner science projects that support the protection and enhancement of natural resources on Midpen lands. The purpose should be to develop and disseminate information that advances scientific understanding of natural processes. Proposals submitted in this round must focus on Our Changing Ecosystems, described below.
Our Changing Ecosystems
A host of challenges face our world today. Climate change is impacting ecosystems in a myriad of known and unknown ways, from increased variability in precipitation and vulnerability to fire, to changes in species distributions and dispersal patterns. As a result, ecosystems are facing a combination of accelerated and new stressors, inhibiting the ability to rebound from any one event. Proposals should focus on research that seeks to understand these changes, with an emphasis on how to improve land and resource stewardship practices in response.
Types of projects may include applied academic research or proof-of-concept, and may focus on a variety of topics relating to Our Changing Ecosystems, including, but not limited to:
- Climate change and carbon sequestration
- Species responses to habitat loss or climate change
- Habitat fragmentation
- Population shifts.
- Plant pathogens
- Fire ecology
- Extreme heat
- Drought and flood management or watershed function
- Sea level rise and shoreline resiliency
- Land management and public access
Example projects:
- Research that examines the ecology and potential mitigation strategies to combat the spread of Phytophthora species of concern.
- Vegetation mapping that contributes to an understanding of how ecosystems are changing (e.g., fine-scale fire risk mapping that results in a coordinated approach to vegetation management).
- Regional carbon sequestration planning or implementation on working lands.
Network and Partnership Support
California’s largest and most pressing challenges require working together to discover and implement innovative solutions. Landscape-scale stewardship is critical to ensuring solutions are scalable and have broad impact. Consequently, this funding category focuses on grant proposals that cultivate, sustain or grow established conservation networks.
Although future funding rounds may allow for establishment of new working groups or networks, in this round only projects submitted by established groups or networks will be considered. Groups or networks should be oriented primarily toward topics that relate to land management, conservation or public access to outdoor recreation. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize if and how the group or network bridges gaps in access, widens equitable participation, or otherwise helps lower barriers to traditionally underserved communities.
Proposals should focus on developing organizational capacity or implementing projects to engage the group on working together toward developing shared priorities, exchanging best practices, or collaborating on research or educational outreach and education/interpretation, etc. Please note that funds cannot be used for policy or advocacy and therefore lobbying support is not an eligible project type.
Example projects:
- Development of a data sharing system for a network.
- Consulting and staff time support to build a strategic plan for a working group to coalesce around a shared understanding for how participants will work together.
- Consulting and staff time to leverage existing network capacity with a wider outreach to engage diverse partner organizations (e.g., serving additional age groups, diverse abilities, and/or traditionally under-represented communities).
- Consulting or staff time support to build organizational capacity to devote time towards building the network and dedicate time towards regular communication and collaborate under a joint vision.
- Support to organize convenings to share research and best practices related to natural resource management.
Access, Interpretation and Education
Funding for access, environmental interpretation and education will be directed toward facilitating equitable access and broad opportunity for all residents to take advantage of Midpen lands while fostering an appreciation for open space protection, nature study and appreciation, cultural resource understanding, and/or environmental stewardship.
Proposals should focus on projects that contribute understanding and appreciation of our natural systems, facilitate opportunities for outdoor engagement and nature-based experiences, especially for underserved communities, or provide nature-based educational and interpretive experiences for children or adults. Applicants are encouraged to emphasize how the proposal bridges gaps in access, widens equitable participation, or otherwise helps lower barriers to traditionally underserved communities.
Funding can be used for staff time to create or execute programming, provide transportation to opportunities for outdoor engagement or nature-based experiences, facilitate knowledge of outdoor recreational opportunities, access to the outdoors, environmental stewardship activities, etc. However, transportation-related projects must be to and from Midpen preserves.
Example projects:
- Public access or educational programs for families or students.
- Develop and/or improve interpretive signs and services along trails, including bilingual materials.
- Complete gaps in a regional trail system that connect communities to trails and open space (e.g., outreach and engagement strategies for community and partner support for regional trail connections).
- Outreach and activity programs that encourage outdoor engagement and nature-based experiences in underserved communities.
Next steps for interested organizations
- Visit openspace.org/grants to access the request for proposals and sign up for the email list.
- Questions? Send an email to grants@openspace.org to communicate with the Grants Program team.
- Para obtener ayuda con el RFP puede contactarnos en Español a: grants@openspace.org o por teléfono: (650) 691-1200
###
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s mission is to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land of regional significance in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. On the San Mateo County coast, our mission also includes preserving agricultural land of regional significance and rural character and encouraging viable agricultural use of land resources. Midpen has successfully protected over 65,000 acres of public open space land in the Santa Cruz Mountains region since 1972.