Environmental Trust Funding Categories 2006-2010

1. Environmental Trust Funding Categories2006-2010 ▪ Habitat: actions to preserve or restore native habitats and areas critical to at-risk, rare or endangered species; other preservation actions for at-risk, rare or endangered species including actions to understand ecosystem relationships which inform sound management; community habitat enhancement emphasizing native and ecologically appropriate plantings which provide food and shelter for wildlife; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category. ▪ Surface and Ground Water: actions to preserve or restore lakes, streams and ground water from degradation or depletion; actions to research, design or foster best management practices; actions to conserve water and/or efficiently and effectively manage water use; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category. ▪ Waste Management: actions promoting and implementing source reduction, waste management or toxicity reduction; actions promoting and implementing the development of recycling markets; actions promoting and implementing reuse and other disposal diversion actions; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category. ▪ Air Quality: actions promoting and implementing clean air strategies; actions to research, design or foster best management strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category. ▪ Soil Management: actions and strategies to preserve, conserve and restore soil health; actions to research, design or foster the implementation and management of these strategies; actions to inform and educate which contribute to the attainment of this category.

3. Watershed Projects Examples of Trust funded watershed improvement projects: Upper Elkhorn NRD – East Branch Verdigris Creek Loup Basin RC&D – Cedar River Corridor Nemaha NRD: Iron Horse Trail Lake, Kirkman’s Cover Watershed and Turkey Creek Watershed PrairieLand RC&D – Shell Creek Watershed Lower Platte North NRD – Sand & Duck Creek/Lake Wanahoo and Skull Creek Watershed Lower Big Blue NRD – Swan 5 Watershed City of Omaha – Lake Zorinsky Watershed

4. Water Quality Activities Funded by the Trust : • Best Management Practices • Land Use Changes • Livestock Waste Management • Wetland Restoration/Enhancement • Bank Stabilization/Sediment Removal • Buffer strips • Abandoned Well Closure • Irrigation Improvements • Pesticide/Household Hazardous Waste Collections

5. Education Activities • University of Nebraska – Urban Lead & Water Quality Protection Project • University of Nebraska – Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans • The Groundwater Foundation – Blue River Basin Community Protection Project

6. Partnerships • The Trust encourages public/private partnerships • Need community support for large-scale projects – involve them in planning, project design, and evaluation • Research all available resources for funding (NRCS, DEQ, NRD’s) – figure out who can pay for each practice and apply for funding

7. General Trust Applications • Due September 4, 2007 • Recommendations released Feb. 2008 • Awards final April 2008 • Applications can be found on website: www.environmentaltrust.org

8. Public Information & Education MiniGrants (PIE) • Purpose: environmental education activities • Including: workshops, conferences, guides, pamphlets • $2,500 maximum award – quarterly grants • Next deadline – January 3, 2007 (awarded Feb. 8, 2007)

9. Contact Information Lisa Beethe Grants Administrator Nebraska Environmental Trust 700 South 16th Street Lincoln, NE 68509-4913 Email: l.beethe@net.ne.gov (402) 471-5409