News

1. Speak Out to Protect Our Drinking Water

2. Register Now: Paddle Georgia on the Ocmulgee. SPACE IS LIMITED!

3. Paddle Georgia Teacher Scholarships Available

4. Georgia Kayaker to Paddle Length of Flint River

5. EPD Gathering Data for 305B List

6. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Hiring Coordinator – Job Closes April 16

Group Spotlight

7. Chattooga Conservancy

Workshops/Conferences/Calendar Items

8. DNR Board Meetings – Gainesville

9. National African American Earth Day Summit – Atlanta

10. Earth Day Kids Fest - Roswell

11. Lobbying and Election Rules for Non-Profits - Online

12. Register Now: National River Rally – Washington State

13. Southeast Watershed Roundtable – Braselton

14. ICL Offers Big Money for Small Organizations - Atlanta

15. May is American Wetlands Month

16. Watershed Mural Dedication – Atlanta

17. 5th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee Race and Festival – Roswell

18. CRBI's 7th Annual Canoe-a-thon, Race & Environmental Fair – Rome

19. Fundraising in Rural Communities – Webinar

20. Restoring Greenspace: Ecological Reuse of Contaminated Properties – Atlanta

21. Riverway South Summit – Chattahoochee, Flint, Apalachicola

Resources

22. Water Words That Work

23. Fundraising Resources from Kim Klein

24. 2007 Edition of Foundations Directory Now Available

25. BoardStar – Podcasts for the Non-Profit Board Member

26. Updated EPA Web Module Offers Watershed Outreach Training

Fundraising Deadlines

27. Fundraising and Grants

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1. Speak Out To Protect Our Drinking Water!

In order to protect watersheds that help supply us with our drinking water, the state requires 150-foot buffers on riverbank lands located up to seven miles upstream from a drinking water intake or reservoir. The conservation community, local governments and developers recently worked together to draft rules that would give local governments three more options to protect drinking water that would allow for smaller buffers if more stringent best management practices are followed, such as limiting impervious surfaces, controlling stormwater, re-vegetating buffers, and mandatory septic system inspections. Unfortunately, vague grandfathering language was inserted into the rules at the last minute that was not agreed upon by all stakeholders, and essentially guts the rules and threatens months of hard work by the stakeholders. The original agreed-upon language must be returned to the rule or the proposed rule should be rejected in order to keep our drinking water clean. The proposed rule amendment will be considered for adoption by the Board of Natural Resources at its meeting at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at the Quinlan Arts Center; 514 Green Street in Gainesville.

Action Needed:

Go to http://www.protectgeorgia.net/showalert.asp?aaid=2467 to send a letter today to the members of the Board of Natural Resources and ask them to oppose this proposed rule amendment and send it back to EPD to revise the grandfathering language.

2. Register Now: Paddle Georgia on the Ocmulgee. SPACE IS LIMITED!
Paddle Georgia 2007 is scheduled for June 23-29, 2007 on the Ocmulgee River. The trip will cover almost 120 miles of Ocmulgee River from Lloyd Shoals Dam between Jackson and Monticello to Hawkinsville. The first 42 miles of the journey wind through the
Piedmont, around the John Birch Dam at Juliette, over shoals and rapids to Macon. From Macon, the journey descends into the Coastal Plain for 71 twisting, turning miles beneath Spanish moss-draped trees to the final take out at Hawkinsville. Highlights of the trip
include the Oconee National Forest and mill ruins at Forty Acre Island, historic Juliette and John Birch Dam, downtown Macon, Ocmulgee National Monument, Georgia Power's Plant Scherer, the Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area and downtown Hawkinsville. The canoe trip is suitable for beginners with a handful of exciting Class I shoals. A special paddling workshop will be held on June 22.

PG 2007 Itinerary
Day 1: Piedmont Polka: Lloyd Shoals Dam to Ga. 83 (14 miles)
Day 2: Juliette Jitterbug: Ga. 83 to Popes Ferry (14 miles)
Day 3: Mambo to Macon: Popes Ferry to Spring Street (14 miles)
Day 4: Echeconnee Cancan: Spring Street to Echeconnee Creek (20 miles)
Day 5: Oxbow Bolero: Echeconnee Creek to Hwy 96 (20 miles)
Day 6: Coastal Plain Conga: Hwy 96 to James Dykes Park (17 miles)
Day 7: Hawkinsville Hustle: James Dykes Park to Hawkinsville (14
miles)

Visit http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pghome.html.

3. Paddle Georgia Teacher Scholarships Available

Paddle Georgia Educator’s Scholarships will be offered to the 10 most deserving applicants with preference given to educators residing in the Ocmulgee River basin. Through funding provided by Georgia Power and Oglethorpe Power, we are offering 10 $100 scholarships to cover more than half the cost of Paddle Georgia registration fees of $195. Participating educators must paddle the entire seven-day, 115-mile Paddle Georgia course and participate in all 10 hours of contact time associated with Project WET and Adopt-A-Stream. You will have the opportunity to participate in all other Paddle Georgia activities as well. Scholarship winners are responsible for providing their own boats, camping gear and meals (meal plans are available through Paddle Georgia), see www.garivers/paddlegeorgia/pghome.html for more details on the event. Contact Joe Cook at joe@joecook.net or 706-235-1170 for an application.

4. Paddle Georgia Kayaker to Paddle Length of Flint
Kayaker Richard Grove will paddle the entire length of the Flint River starting on April 16. It will be a publicity trip for the purpose of bringing public awareness to the Flint River. The trip should take 18 days. He will start at the GA85 Bridge just below HJ International Airport. Visit http://www.georgiakayaker.com.

5. EPD Gathering Data for 305B List
In accordance with the Federal Clean Water Act, Sections 305(b) and 303(d), the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) is gathering water quality data to be used in the assessment for Georgia's Draft 2008 305(b)/303(d) List of Waters. Requirements for the submission and acceptance of water quality data for use in listing impaired waters by the GA EPD are set forth in the Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Control, Chapter 391-3-6-.03-(13) and are detailed in a GA EPD document entitled "Guidance on Submitting Water Quality Data for Use by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division In 305(b)/303(d) Listing Assessments". Copies of this Guidance Document and the applicable Rules and Regulations may be viewed at http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/techguide/wpb/SQAP-gwf_1.pdf.

Any comments or information should be submitted to the following address no later than June 30, 2007 for consideration in the development of Georgia's Draft 2008 305(b)/303(d) List of Waters. Mailing Address: GA EPD - Watershed Protection Branch, Watershed Planning & Monitoring Program, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia 30354, Attention: Ms. Susan Salter. Or information may be submitted electronically to

Susan_Salter@dnr.state.ga.us.

6. Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Hiring State Coordinator – Job Closes April 16

To view the complete job description, visit http://www.garivers.org/resources/jobs.html. To learn more about Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, visit http://www.georgiaadoptastream.org.

7. Group Spotlight – Chattooga Conservancy

The Chattooga Conservancy is a watershed group based in Clayton, Georgia, whose mission is to protect, promote and restore the ecological integrity of the Chattooga River—one of the few rivers in the southeast nationally distinguished with the designation of Wild & Scenic River—by advocating for a healthy natural environment in the Chattooga watershed, and educating and empowering communities to practice good stewardship on its public and private lands. The Chattooga Conservancy is currently working on a campaign to improve water quality in Stekoa Creek, a major tributary to the Chattooga River. Stekoa Creek flows through Clayton, Georgia, and has been fouled by raw sewage escaping into the stream via the town’s failing wastewater treatment infrastructure. A recent U. S. Forest Service study identifies Stekoa Creek as “the scourge of the lower Chattooga due to fecal and sediment loading,” and states that below the Stekoa confluence “concentrations of fecal coliform in the Chattooga periodically far exceed the water quality standards that have been set for swimming and associated water contact sports.” The city of Clayton has proposed to expand the wastewater treatment plant, without fixing the defective system. The EPD will hold a question and answer session and public hearing on Thursday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Rabun County Courthouse in Clayton, Georgia in order to get public feedback on this issue. You can help Chattooga Conservancy to protect the Chattooga by attending the hearing or by sending a comment (postmarked no later than 4/12/2007) to Director, GA EPD, 2 Martin Luther King Dr., Ste. 1152 S. E., Floyd Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30354. For more information, contact the Chattooga Conservancy at 706-782-6097 or email info@chattoogariver.org.

8. DNR Board Meetings – Gainesville

Committee meetings are scheduled for April 24 and the Board meeting for April 25 in Gainesville. For details on DNR Board Meetings, visit http://www.gadnr.org/ (bottom left corner of home page). To view the schedule, visit http://gadnr.org/documents/sched-agenda.html.

9. National African American Earth Day Summit - Atlanta

April 19, 2007 - Keeping It Wild: National African American Earth Day Summit
African Americans and the Environment: Stewardship and Sustainability
MLK Chapel, Morehouse College, 7-9pm
Tickets free, but required. Visit www.keepingitwild.org or call 404-872-9453 xt.13.

10. Earth Day Kids Fest – Roswell

Celebrate Earth Day at the 5th Annual "Earth Day Kids Fest"

Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell

Saturday, April 21 from 10am-3pm

Captain Planet Foundation and the Chattahoochee Nature Center present a festival of fun ECO Activities celebrating Mother Earth. Admission $5 adults/ $2 Children 3-12 and seniors/ Children 2 and under free. Ride your bike for free Admission! A free shuttle bus service will be provided from overflow parking lots at St. Francis Day School located at the intersection of Azalea and Willeo Roads. For directions call 770-992-2055 x 3 or visit www.chattnaturecenter.com.

11. Lobbying and Election Rules for Nonprofits – Web Courses

Alliance for Justice offers web courses on lobbying and election rules for non-profits.

Election Rules for Nonprofits Web Workshop - April 24th

Workshops last one-hour and will begin at 2:00 PM ET. You can register online or by calling Kyle Murphy at (202) 822-6070. Workshop Registration is $30. Visit http://ga1.org/afj/upcoming-events.tcl.

12. Register Now: National River Rally – Washington State
River Network's 2007 National River Rally will take place May 18-22 in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. Join over 500 river and watershed protection advocates at Skamania Lodge (www.skamania.com) for four days of education, inspiration and celebration. Over 100 workshops will provide you with unsurpassed professional and personal development. Nonprofit staff and volunteers, tribal, agency and corporate representatives working on freshwater issues are invited and encouraged to attend!
If you want to protect and restore rivers and watersheds - this is one national confluence you don't want to miss. Scholarship deadline is March 15. Visit http://www.rivernetwork.org.

13. The 10th Annual Southeast Watershed Roundtable: Sustaining Our Water Infrastructure Through Watershed-Based Approaches
August 1-3 at Chateau Elan Winery & Resort in Braselton, GA

Visit http://www.southeastwaterforum.org.

14. ICL offers "Big Money for Small Organizations" - Atlanta

As part of the Freshwater Leadership Initiative, the Institute for Conservation Leadership is offering Andy Robinson's very popular "Big Money for Small Organizations" at the Georgia Center for Nonprofits in downtown Atlanta on Friday, May 4th. You can sign up at http://www.icl.org. Deadline for applications is April 13th. What's "Big Money for Small Organizations?" It's a workshop about how to raise money from individuals, who are the source of 85% of charitable giving in the United States. The workshop covers strategies for identifying potential members and donors, and methods for asking for their support. Best of all, trainer Andy Robinson leads participants through enjoyable exercises that build fundraising skills and defuse common fears about asking other people for money. If you have any questions, please email or call Courtney Carlson (courtney@icl.org) at the Institute, (301) 270-2900.

15. May is American Wetlands Month

As part of this year's celebration, EPA would like to encourage interested groups to plan activities and events that help raise awareness of the critical role wetlands and other aquatic resources play in our environment and build support for the protection and restoration of these valuable ecosystems. Ideas for celebratory activities and events that could be planned in conjunction with American Wetlands Month include:

Organizing a walk, canoe-trip, bird-watch or other outdoor activity at a local wetland

Planning a wetland or stream clean-up day

Holding an awards ceremony to recognize a wetland hero

Sponsoring a talk on wetlands

Starting or participating in a volunteer wetland monitoring group

Organizing a wetland festival

EPA intends to post American Wetland Month events and activities information on its web site at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/awm and encourages groups that are planning local, regional, or national events to provide EPA with information about your event. To post your event or discuss ways to participate in American Wetlands Month, please contact Kathleen Kutschenreuter (202-566-1383, kutschenreuter.kathleen@epa.gov) or Gregg Serenbetz (202-566-1253, serenbetz.gregg@epa.gov) in EPA’s Wetlands Division. More information on EPA’s wetlands programs can be viewed at http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands, or by calling the toll-free Wetlands Helpline at 1-800-832-7828.

16. Watershed Mural and Dedication and Earth Day Celebration - Atlanta
1 pm, Sunday April 22, in Atlanta.
The mural, which spans some 340 feet along DeKalb Avenue, east of downtown Atlanta, depicts the natural and human landscapes that accompany waters as they make their separate journeys from the Eastern Subcontinental Divide to their destinations in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. The site to paint the mural runs along the Subcontinental Divide. The Dedication event will be at the mural site, where the entire block of DeKalb Avenue will be closed to traffic. Following the short ceremony, will be an Earth Day celebration at the nearby Lake Claire Community Land Trust. There will be bands, food, children's activities, a peace garden, and other activities.

17. 5th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee Race & Festival! - Roswell
Saturday - June 9, 2007
Race 9:00 am and Festival 10:00 – 2:00 pm
Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (UCR), National Park Service, Fulton County and the city of Roswell present a canoe and kayak race every
year in June. The race starts at Garrard Landing Park on the River at Holcomb Bridge Road and finishes at Roswell's Riverside Park, the
venue for the festival, music and awards. The race is open to both solo and tandem paddlers. There are open events for the competitors
and recreational events for families and fledgling canoeists. Visit http://www.chattahoochee.org/community5.htm.

18. CRBI's 7th Annual Canoe-a-thon, Race & Environmental Fair - Rome
May 4-5, Now in its seventh year, this annual fundraiser and educational event is expanding and changing its name to Waterfest VII. Added to the
festivities this year will be a two-day, Kayak Tug-O-War tournament, perhaps the only event of its kind in the country. Johnson Outdoors,
makers of Old Town Canoes & Kayaks, Necky Kayaks, Ocean Kayaks and Carlisle and Extrasport paddling equipment will serve as the events
lead sponsor. More than 30 local and regional businesses also serve as sponsors. Visit http://www.coosa.org/Waterfest%20VII/CRBI%20Waterfest%20VII

19. Fundraising In Rural Communities – Webinar with Kim Klein
June 22, 2007 (Friday) at 1PM ET. In this webinar, Kim will look at the challenges and opportunities present in small towns and rural communities. She will talk about the many different kinds of rural communities and how they can raise money from people both inside and outside their geographic area. This webinar will have a number of interesting case studies. Cost: $150 per site/per webinar (more than one person can view the webinar at a single location; with a data projector your entire staff and board can participate!) For more information and to register please visit: www.grassrootsfundraising.org/howto/webinar.html or call 1-888-458-8588.

20. Restoring Greenspace: Ecological Reuse of Contaminated Properties – Atlanta
May 22-23, 2007 at the Sheraton Buckhead Hotel Atlanta

The Wildlife Habitat Council’s (WHC) Restoring Greenspace conferences are designed to help participants strategize the necessary problem solving steps in making ecological enhancements a reality. Key issues at the 2007 conference will range from environmental justice to wetlands and coastal concerns with breakout sessions focusing on integrating Natural Resources Damage Assessment with site cleanup and the long-term stewardship of managing site liability and institutional controls. Local field trips will feature examples of greenspace integration, including Atlantic Station, Clayton County Water Authority and Belt Line Initiative of The Trust for Public Land. E-mail greenspace@wildlifehc.org or visit http://www.wildlifehc.org/events/restoringgreenspace.cfm.

21. Riverway South Summit – George Bagby State Park
October 11-12 - Using the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River Watershed for Tourism Development. Visit http://www.riverwaysouth.org.

22. Water Words That Work

Water Words That Work is a web video series that provides custom-tailored communications advice for nature protection and pollution control experts. Each three minute-episode is full of dos, don’ts, hows, and whys to help you make a splash when you communicate in person or in writing. Watch Water Words to become more confident and successful whenever you set out to enlighten the uninformed and persuade the undecided to take a stand on behalf of our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Along the way, you'll get an introduction to "Web 2.0" sites -- YouTube, Flickr, Digg, and more. You'll see how you can use these services to reach out and engage the public on your own terms, in your own words. Visit http://waterwordsthatwork.com/.

23. Fundraising Resources from Kim Klein

We have posted two new fundraising resources on our website at http://www.garivers.org/resources/tools/fundraising.html.
Kim Klein: The Ten Most Important Things You Can Know About Fundraising
Kim Klein: 8 Ways to Make $2500 In 10 Days

24. 2007 Edition Foundation Directories Now Available
The 2007 editions of The Foundation Directory and Directory Part 2 are now available. The Directory includes comprehensive profiles of the 10,000 largest U.S. foundations—fields of interest, contact information, financials, and 50,000 selected grants. To broaden your grantseeking base, refer to Directory Part 2, featuring the next 10,000 largest U.S. foundations and 40,000 sample grants. The new Directories are available for free use in the Foundation Center library or for purchase visit http://foundationcenter.org/ and click shop. Cost $215.

25. BoardStar – Podcasts for the Non-Profit Board Member

BoardStar does weekly podcasts on issues related to non-profit management. You can listen to them straight from their website, or download (free) from itunes. Visit http://www.smallpackageproductions.com/BoardStar/boardstarmain.html.

26. Updated EPA Web Module Offers Watershed Outreach Training
EPA's Watershed Academy recently posted a free, updated online training module on "Getting In Step: A Guide to Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns." This module offers a tested step-by-step system to help local governments, watershed organizations and others maximize the effectiveness of public outreach campaigns to help solve nonpoint source pollution problems and protect local waterways. The module is based on EPA's free, downloadable outreach guide "Getting in Step: Guide for Conducting Watershed Outreach Campaigns". To view the new Getting in Step online training module, visit http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/gettinginstep/ . Approximately 50 other free online Watershed Academy training modules are available at: http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/.

27. Fundraising Deadlines
The following foundations are either new to our list of grants or have upcoming deadlines to submit proposals. To view grant makers that give throughout the year, visit our website at http://www.garivers.org/resources/tools/grants.html.

ConAgra Foods Foundation works to improve the quality of life in communities where ConAgra employees work and live. The Foundation focuses its resources in the areas of arts and culture; civic and community betterment; education; health and human services; and hunger, nutrition and food safety. Nonprofit organizations in communities with company facilities throughout the United States are eligible to apply. Consult your local phone directory or contact your Chamber of Commerce to find out if ConAgra Foods operates in your community. Applications are due the last working day of January, April, July and October. Visit http://www.conagrafoods.com/. Click "Corporate Responsibility". Click "Community".

The Fund for Wild Nature provides grants to grassroots projects in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for campaigns to save and restore native species and wild ecosystems, including actions to defend wilderness and biological diversity. The Fund seeks proposals with visionary as well as realistic goals to create tangible change. Special attention is given to ecological issues not currently receiving sufficient public attention and funding. The Fund supports advocacy, litigation, public policy work, development of citizen science, and similar endeavors. The remaining application deadlines for 2007 are April 27 and November 2. Visit http://www.fundwildnature.org/.

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation supports a wide range of organizations that improve the quality of life in communities where Georgia-Pacific operates, and where company employees live and work. (A map of the Georgia-Pacific facilities and locations is available online at: www.gp.com/facilitydirectory/index.asp.) The Foundation’s areas of interest include: education, community enrichment, and the environment. Grant applications are accepted between January 1 and October 31, annually. Visit http://www.gp.com/center/community/index.html.

The American Honda Foundation supports projects in the areas of youth and scientific education. The Foundation defines "youth" as prenatal through 21 years of age. "Scientific education" encompasses the physical and life sciences, mathematics, and the environmental sciences. The Foundation provides grants for K-12 education, higher education, and other nonprofit organizations that focus on youth and/or scientific education. Only projects that are national in scope will be considered for funding by the Foundation. Application deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 of each year. Visit http://corporate.honda.com/america/philanthropy.aspx?id=ahf.

The Impact Fund awards grants to non-profit legal firms, private attorneys and/or small law firms who seek to advance social justice in the areas of civil and human rights, environmental justice and/or poverty law. They seek to provide funding for public interest litigation that will potentially benefit a large number of people, lead to significant law reform, or raise public consciousness. The Impact Fund has awarded over $4 million in general and donor-advised grants, since its inception. The Impact Funds awards grants four times per year, with the average grant size being $10,000 - $15,000. The maximum grant amount awarded to any single applicant per year is $25,000. Pre-applications reviewed 4 times a year. Visit http://www.impactfund.org/pages/grants/grants.htm.

The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership project of the Eastman Kodak Company, The Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America. The application period for the Kodak American Greenways Awards Program runs from March 1 through June 1 each year. Applications will only be accepted online. Grant recipients are selected according to criteria that include: * Importance of the project to local greenway development efforts, * Demonstrated community support for the project * Extent to which the grant will result in matching funds or other support from public or private sources, * Likelihood of tangible results, * Capacity of the organization to complete the project. Grants may be used for activities such as: mapping, ecological assessments, surveying, conferences, and design activities; developing brochures, interpretative displays, audio-visual productions or public opinion surveys; hiring consultants, incorporating land trusts, building a foot bridge, planning a bike path, or other creative projects. In general, grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project including planning, technical assistance, legal and other costs. Grants may not be used for academic research, general institutional support, lobbying, or political activities. Awards will primarily go to local, regional, or statewide nonprofit organizations. Although public agencies may also apply, community organizations will receive preference. The maximum grant is $2,500. However, most grants range from $500 to $1,500. Visit http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2106.

Mead Westvaco Foundation's primary focus is to enhance the quality of life in communities where MeadWestvaco has major operations and where MeadWestvaco employees and their families live and work. This includes providing direct grant support and encouraging active management and employee leadership involvement and volunteerism. Priorities for contributions in small and/or rural communities, where there are fewer sources of contributions, often address a broad range of needs. Support for urban communities is generally more targeted. Additionally, the Foundation seeks to provide leadership for advancing research, education and public dialogue on public policy issues of special interest, such as the economy, regulation and environmental stewardship. Proposals for grants are accepted throughout the year. Grants range from $250 t0 $10,000. Visit http://www.meadwestvaco.com/corporate.nsf/
mwvfoundation/applicationsGuidelines.

Patagonia funds projects that are action oriented, build public support and involvement, are strategic and accomplish specific goals and objectives. Patagonia supports small, grassroots activist organizations with provocative direct-action agendas. They look for innovative groups that produce measurable results, and like to support efforts to force the government to abide by its own - our own - laws. Patagonia helps local groups working to protect local habitat. Most grants are in the range of $3,000 to $8,000. Proposals must be postmarked no later than April 30 and August 31 each year. For more information, visit the Patagonia website. You can also apply for grants from the Atlanta Patagonia store which gives grants in the amount of $1,000 - $4000 with applications due each May. Contact Leigh Bost at 404.266.8182 or leigh_bost@patagonia.com for more information.

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