EPOC Environmental Grant Awards for 2017

The Environmental Professionals Organization of Connecticut (EPOC) is pleased to announce our environmental grant awards for 2017 as follows (total amount of all awards is $11,000):

• Holcomb Farm / Granby Public Schools
  Holcomb Farm, Inc. was established to steward the 335+ acre farm, ownership of  which passed from the University of CT to the Town of Granby in 1990. One of the uses of the farm is for educational purposes. This grant will allow Granby Public School students to visit Holcomb Farm for a hands-on learning experience and develop collaborative relationships between high school and primary school students, resulting in shared learning and increased interest in environmental science studies. This grant specifically funds equipment and transportation costs for students to visit and observe, chart, draw and compare habitats at various times of the year at Holcomb Farm.
  
  
• Harbor Watch (a program of Earthplace, Inc.)
  The goal of Harbor Watch is to provide the people of CT with the data, knowledge, and field expertise necessary to safeguard waterways, educate citizens about watershed issues, and train volunteers and student interns through hands-on research. The EPOC grant will be used to continue efforts to measure water quality and track down pollution sources in the Norwalk River (bacteria and nutrient pollution from sewage & stormwater runoff) and to support educational activities and student monitors. The environmental benefits of this work are: (1) a greater understanding of the Norwalk River’s ecological health, (2) a cleaner, less polluted waterway for our community, and (3) an engaged group of young scientists trained on water quality and conservation science.
  
  
• Beardsley Zoo
  Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is a premiere family destination and the state’s only Zoo, welcoming over 280,000 visitors annually. EPOC’s grant will help support the Conservation Discovery Corps program which combines environmental education with conservation biology, various field work opportunities, and other training that can only be obtained at the Zoo through working with our endangered species and experienced staff. Students (ages 14-18) obtain a working perspective on the Zoo while studying principles of conservation biology and environmental education. They gain first-hand experience in education, animal husbandry, public speaking, leadership, and teamwork.

• Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust
  Founded in 1965 to benefit the general public through the preservation of natural areas, fish and wildlife habitats, and working farmland, Weantinoge Heritage Land Trust is the largest land trust in CT. EPOC’s grant will help support studies at Weantinoge’s Smyrski Farm Preserve (300 acres) in New Milford to address water quality issues from agricultural nonpoint source pollution to help determine the extent that farming practices are impacting water quality and to conduct a flora and fauna survey of the property to determine key species (rare, threatened or endangered), observed trouble spots, and develop recommendations for management. Another long term goal is to utilize Smyrski Farm as an example of employing best management farming practices to communicate the value of managing agricultural land for scenic vistas, habitat management, and water quality.

The EPOC Grant Program provides non-profit and not-for-profit environmental advocacy groups, community based groups and environmental education organizations, funding for local projects that benefit the environment on an annual basis. For further information, see our Grant Program page on our website at www.epoc.org/grants.