#schoolhabitat

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School & Community Habitat Grant

Apply to the 2023 Grant!

The WCCD's 3rd Annual School & Community Habitat Grant - Now Accepting Applications!

Does your school, community organization, or non-profit need expert consultation or plant materials to create a native garden, rain garden, food forest, windbreak, or another native plant project? The WCCD School & Community Habitat Grant is now accepting applications until the June 11th, 2023 deadline!

If you are a consultant who may be interested in partnering to complete these projects, please reach out to summer@washtenawcd.org. We'd love to help promote the great work you do!

Application Deadline:  ​Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 5 p.m.

Applications must be submitted by the deadline with subject line “2023 School and Community Habitat Grant Application” to: WCCD Community Forester, Summer Roberts: Summer@washtenawcd.org (734) 302-8716. Applications are accepted in the form of Word documents (.doc, .docx), PDF (.pdf), or a word document compatible format.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION HERE

Our Mission: The WCCD is a local government agency with the mission to assist residents with and provide leadership in the conservation, management, and wise use of natural resources in Washtenaw County.

Grant Purpose: Assist schools and community organizations with accessing plants and establishing wildlife habitat.

Grant Award: Grants will be awarded in the form of tree, shrub, native plant material and technical assistance from WCCD and partners. Grant fund availability is dependent on donations made to the WCCD for this purpose and grant selections and awards will be made based on the amount donated. 

Eligibility:

Applicants must represent or be affiliated with a local school, nonprofit organization, or community group.

The proposed site location must be a public or semi-public space in Washtenaw County.

The applicant must be able to demonstrate ownership or permission in perpetuity at the proposed location.

The application must demonstrate a benefit to local communities, natural and human.  

Applicants need not be experts in ecology but demonstrate a willingness to learn! 

Application Submission & Deadlines: All grant applications must be submitted by the deadline and requirements outlined on the application.

Habitat Grant Application Criteria: Please download the "SCHG Overview (PDF)" and read the complete requirements of an application to be considered by the selection committee, including the rubric used in evaluating the projects.

GRANT AWARD: Each grant award will be provided in the form of plant materials, expert design plans, and installation assistance.

The WCCD staff and our partnering contractors, as requested by the project and within the award budget, may provide any combination of the following:

Site visit for assessment & consultation

Site design plan & maintenance plan

Site materials, such as native plants, trees, and/or shrubs and planting aids (tree shelters, etc.)

Site installation assistance through tools and volunteer outreach

Grant Awardee Responsibilities:

Follow the Grant timeline

Pre-installation: prep and coordination

Post-installation: WCCD Habitat sign install and "Completed Project Report"

Ongoing: maintenance, update WCCD on site coordinator changes, and "One Year Follow-Up Report"

Reporting & Documentation

Completed Project Report (Post installation)

One Year Follow-Up Project Report

What is considered Native? We use the Ann Arbor Natural Areas Preservation description of native plants as “plants that were here before Europeans settled in Michigan in the 1700s”.  For more information about what is considered a native species, please visit the Michigan Natural Features Inventory at https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/

WCCD Program Contact Please email the application form and all other supporting documents or questions to the WCCD Community Forester, Summer Roberts: summer@washtenawcd.org, (734) 302 -8716.

Applicant Resources:

Native Plants 

PlantWise - Why Native Plants?

Native Plant Garden Kits (PDF)

Learn about Native plants & resources

WCCD guide to Planting Native Plants

WildOnes - Native Plant Gardens Designs

ADAPT - Community Supported Ecology - Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Resource Directory

​ Rain Garden Resources

Learn about the WCWRC Master Rain Gardener program:

Schoolyard Rain Gardens & Guidebook

PlantWise - Rain Garden Services

WCCD guide to Rain Gardens & Resources

Rain Garden Kit info (PDF)

Pollinator Gardens

Plants for Pollinators (WCWRC)

Learn about creating your own Monarch Waystations

Pollinator Partnership - Garden Resources

WireFence - Pollinator Gardening Resources

Pollinator Garden Glossary

WCCD Information and resources:

2021 WCCD Spring Tree & Shrub and Native Plant store

Tree & Shrub Planting Guide

Tree & Shrub selection chart 2021 - Provides a chart of WCCD Spring sale species including some characteristics. 

Pond Construction

Wind Breaks

Wildlife

Source & More information HERE