Nov 3, 2015 2 min read

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is seeking grant applications for two local programs.

The 2015-16 Watershed Mini Grant Program, in conjunction with Dominion, provides financial assistance to watershed groups across the region.

The Watershed Mini Grants cover expenses in three areas: water quality monitoring, watershed restoration and organizational promotion and outreach. A cash or noncash match is preferred but not required. Grants of up to $3,000 may be awarded for water quality monitoring and restoration projects. Grants of up to $2,000 may be awarded for promotion and outreach projects.

The program offers funding to watershed groups and organizations across the area, including Washington and Greene counties.

An online application, including proposal guidelines, is available at grant WaterLandLife.org/372. For questions regarding the Watershed Mini Grant program, or to have an application mailed to your organization, call WPC’s Watershed Conservation office at 724-471-7202.

WPC is also seeking applications for the Canoe Access Development Fund, which supports projects to improve canoe and kayak access.

Proposed new access sites should be located along a stream or river featured in “Canoeing Guide to Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia” (located online at www.cs.cmu.edu/~shaw/CG.html) or be recognized as a paddling waterway in Western Pennsylvania.

Accepted applicants will receive up to $4,000 per site for the construction and enhancement of canoe and kayak access locations.

The funds could be used in multiple ways, including but not limited to stabilizing access areas to rivers or streams, adding nearby parking areas or purchasing riverside access.

An online application is available at www.waterlandlife.org/371/. Applications must be postmarked by Nov. 13 and grant recipients will be notified by Dec. 18.