Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program Application
Application Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2016 by 5PM
Program Overview
The purpose of the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program is to educate the public, especially students, about the New York City watershed and drinking water supply system. Participants learn about the NYC watershed’s lands, waters, and people with a special focus on how healthy, well-managed forests work to protect water quality. This application is designed to help the reviewers understand how these themes will be addressed before, during and after your proposed tour.
Recipients of the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour grant will be required to demonstrate a 1-to-1 funding match, complete an online pre- and post-tour survey, engage their students/participants in pre- and post-tour activities, and submit photos and representative student work from their tour and related activities.
Visit our Teacher Resources webpage ( http://nycwatershed.org/resourcehub ) for background information and teaching resources on NYC watershed forestry topics. View a sample application on our Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program webpage ( http://nycwatershed.org/for_bustours ).
Program Eligibility
Any organization, community group or 4th-12th grade classroom in New York City or the upstate watershed regions (Catskill/Delaware and Croton) is eligible to apply for up to $3,000 in funding to participate in one of five Bus Tour Options described below. Student groups younger than 4th grade may be considered for funding if specific watershed and forestry learning outcomes are part of the proposed tour. Please note that partial grant funding is often awarded and is intended primarily to help pay for the transportation costs associated with a bus tour. Two rounds of grant funding are awarded each year with application deadlines in early January and early August.
All Submitted Applications Must:
· Be complete! All questions answered and the budget table filled in.
· Be typed! Handwritten applications will not be considered.
· Be received on time! Via e-mail, fax or mail and received (or post marked) no later than 5PM on Friday, January 8, 2016.
All applicants will be notified of their application status within 6 weeks of the submission deadline.
For more information and to submit a Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program application, contact:
Tyler Van Fleet
Watershed Educator
Watershed Agricultural Council
1275 Hanover Street
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598
Email:
Phone: (914) 962-6355 x21
Fax: (914) 962-5436
Bus Tour Options: NOTE: 4 of the 5 Bus Tour Options are currently available for the 1/8/16 deadline.
OPTION 1: Environmental Education Center (EEC)
Discover the NYC watershed at one of four Environmental Education Centers. Tours include a guided visit to a NYC-DEP drinking water reservoir. Choose from among the centers’ watershed forestry-themed courses listed below. Explore on-site Model Forests at Clearpool Education Center and Frost Valley YMCA, which are living classrooms that demonstrate sustainable forestry practices for water quality protection (read more here). Click on the links below for more information about each EEC’s courses.
East of Hudson· Clearpool Education Center & Model Forest (website)
o Choose from: Watershed Connections, Stream Study, Water Conservation, Forest Ecology, Introduction to Forestry, Maple Sugaring
· Taconic Outdoor Education Center (website)
o Choose from: Forest Ecology, Aquatic Ecology, Soil Ecology, Environmental Issues (Water Use), Energy Flow (Water Cycle)
· Teatown Lake Reservation (website)
o Choose from: Watershed Education, Trees are Terrific, Field and Forest, Maple Sugaring / West of Hudson
· Frost Valley YMCA & Model Forest (website)
o Choose from: Watersheds and Wilderness, Freshwater Ecology, Forest Ecology, Maple Sugaring, Ice Cutting. All-day Model Forest Hike
OPTION 2: Trout in the Classroom Trout Release
Trout in the Classroom participants visit Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in Westchester County in April/May to release their trout into the Cross River that flows into the nearby Cross River Reservoir and supplies drinking water to NYC. Trout Unlimited and WAC educators lead forestry, water quality and watershed activities that highlight the connection between healthy forests, trout habitat and clean drinking water. Tours include a guided visit to the Cross River Reservoir for groups traveling in 1-2 buses. Visit the Ward Pound Ridge Reservation website for more information.
OPTION 3: Green Connections Program – Currently NOT available for the 1/8/16 deadline.
Green Connections is a year-long program available to 4-8th grade teachers who have attended the Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers. Green Connections explores the environmental and cultural dimensions of the NYC watershed by supporting partnerships between upstate and downstate classrooms. Partner classrooms complete: 1) The 10-lesson Green Connections curriculum; 2) Three rounds of correspondence between student buddies; 3) Two joint Bus Tours, one to an upstate watershed location and one to NYC. Partner teachers submit separate applications. Total combined grant requests for a partnership may not exceed $5,000.
OPTION 4: Trees for Tribs Tree Planting
Be an active steward of your watershed! Help improve water quality by planting trees along tributaries (streams) that flow into NYC drinking water reservoirs. These one-day tours are scheduled in late April/early May at Hilltop Hanover Farm in the Croton watershed. In addition to planting trees, WAC educators lead watershed forestry and water quality activities. Tours include a guided visit to the Cross River Reservoir. Student groups must be 6th grade or higher. Maximum number of participants, including chaperones, is 50, or the capacity of one bus. Visit the WAC Trees for Tribs website for more information.
OPTION 5: Adult Professional Development
Witness the source of your drinking water and explore how well-managed forests protect water quality and support local economies in the NYC watershed. We strongly recommend visiting a WAC Model Forest (read more here) and NYC-DEP drinking water reservoir. Other environmental or cultural sites may be included depending on group interests and goals. Visit the Catskills Watershed Corporation’s Field Trip Ideas webpage for a list of great destinations throughout the watershed.
I. APPLICANT INFORMATION:
I am an:
[ ] Adult group/organization
[ ] School
[ ] Other:
I am a:
[ ] New Applicant (You have never applied for WAC funding before.)
[ ] Repeat Applicant (You have applied for WAC funding before.)
[ ] I have received funding in the past.
[ ] I have NOT received funding in the past.
I am applying for Bus Tour option (Choose one option only):
[ ] Option 1: Environmental Education Center
[ ] Option 2: Trout in the Classroom Trout Release
[ ] Option 3: Green Connections Program Currently NOT available for 1/8/16 deadline.
[ ] Option 4: Trees for Tribs Tree Planting
[ ] Option 5: Adult Professional Development
Contact Information:
Name:
School/Org Name:
Grade(s) Taught:
Subject(s) Taught:
School/Org Mailing Address:
Email:
Daytime Phone:
Cell Phone:
Fax Number:
II. BUS TOUR OPTION:
Check your preferred Bus Tour option below and complete all required information for your selected option.
[ ] Option 1: Environmental Education Center
Check your preferred EEC destination from the options below. Under each destination we have also listed the name of the NYC-DEP drinking water reservoir that you will visit as part of your tour.
East of Hudson[ ] Clearpool Education Center & Model Forest
[ ] Cross River Reservoir
[ ] Taconic Outdoor Education Center
[ ] Cross River Reservoir
[ ] Teatown Lake Reservation
[ ] New Croton Reservoir / West of Hudson
[ ] Frost Valley YMCA & Model Forest
[ ] Neversink Reservoir
[ ] Option 2: Trout in the Classroom Trout Release
We recommend that applicants coordinate with Trout in the Classroom NY to plan a visit to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation in April/May, which includes a guided visit to the Cross River Reservoir. Check whether you will visit Ward Pound Ridge Reservation or another trout release location that you have arranged.
[ ] Ward Pound Ridge Reservation trout release and Cross River Reservoir guided visit.
[ ] I have arranged another location:
[ ] Option 3: Green Connections Program Currently NOT available for 1/8/16 deadline.
[ ] Option 4: Trees for Tribs Tree Planting
Check below that you meet all special requirements for Trees for Tribs Tree Planting tours. Tours include a guided visit to the Cross River Reservoir.
[ ] Participants are 6th grade or higher.
[ ] Total group size, including chaperones, is no more than 50 individuals (the capacity of 1 bus).
[ ] The tour will be scheduled during late April/early May.
[ ] Option 5: Adult Professional Development
Check your preferred destinations from the options below. We strongly recommend that adult groups visit a Model Forest and NYC-DEP drinking water reservoir as part of their tour. Under each Model Forest destination we have also listed the name of the most conveniently located reservoir to visit.
East of Hudson[ ] Clearpool Education Center & Model Forest
[ ] Cross River Reservoir
[ ] Other:
______/ West of Hudson
[ ] Frost Valley YMCA & Model Forest
[ ] Neversink Reservoir
[ ] Agroforestry Resource Center & Siuslaw Model Forest
[ ] Ashokan Reservoir
[ ] Other:
______
III. BUS TOUR DETAILS:
Proposed tour date(s) or best estimate:
Participants: [ ] Students - Estimated # of participants: Grade Level(s):
[ ] Adults - Estimated # of participants:
Will your trip have an overnight component? [ ] Yes - How many nights:
[ ] No
How much funding are you requesting? Applicants may apply for up to $3,000 for Bus Tour Options 1, 2, 4 and 5:
IV. PROFESSIONAL INFORMATION:
Important: Please adhere to the maximum word limits for all questions below. Exceeding a word limit will result in a loss of points during the application review process.
How did you learn about the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program? (For example, from an administrator, colleague, specific email, event, or website, etc.) (50 words max.)
Have you ever attended the Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers?
[ ] Yes, what year(s):
[ ] No
The Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers is a professional development educational program from the Watershed Agricultural Council that immerses 4th -12th grade teachers in a hands-on study of the New York City watershed, forestry and water quality sciences.
If you have previously participated in the WAC Watershed Forestry Institute for Teachers or Bus Tour Program, please describe how your curriculum/program has been impacted by your participation in these experiences. (200 words max.)
List and describe any environmental education professional development (or course work) you have participated in, especially related to watershed and forestry themes. How have you applied these experiences to your teaching? (200 words max.)
List and describe the specific curricula, resources and/or tools have you used to teach about the environment, especially related to watershed and forestry themes. How have you incorporated these resources into your teaching? (200 words max.)
V. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Priority for funding goes to applicants focusing on the NYC watershed, NYC drinking water supply system, and how forests function to protect water quality. Specific lessons/activities should be planned for before and after your tour to ensure desired learning outcomes. Visit our Teacher Resources webpage http://nycwatershed.org/resourcehub for teaching resources on NYC watershed forestry topics.
PURPOSE: Why do you want to go on a Watershed Forestry Bus Tour? Please explain how your proposed tour relates to your existing curriculum/program and enhances student/participant learning. (250 word max.)
THE EXPERIENCE: Describe the specific watershed and forestry themed activities you would like your students/participants to experience during the tour(s). Explain how you hope these activities will contribute to your students’/participants’ deeper understanding of the NYC watershed. (250 word max.)
PREPARATION: Describe the specific watershed and forestry themed activities that your students/participants will do before the proposed tour(s). Explain how these activities will prepare your students/participants for significant learning on the tour(s). (250 word max.)
FOLLOW-UP: Describe the specific watershed and forestry themed activities that your students/participants will do after the proposed tour(s). Explain how these activities will help your students/participants synthesize and apply what they learned on the tour(s). (250 word max.)
VI. BUDGET INFORMATION:
The Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program is a matching grant program with a 1 to 1 match requirement. This means that for every $1 requested from the Bus Tour Program, you must also contribute $1 in cash (from any source) or in-kind goods and services (e.g., teacher/staff/volunteer hours, supplies, etc.).
Please research costs for transportation and other program fees (if applicable). Estimates are acceptable.
The Grant Funds and Matching Funds amounts in the chart below (columns “A” and “B”) do not have to be equal; however, the TOTAL Matching Funds must equal or exceed the TOTAL Grant Funds being requested.
Applicants may apply for up to $3,000 for Bus Tour Options 1, 2, 4, and 5. For Option 3: Green Connections, each partner teacher must submit a separate budget for their own expenses. The combined total grant request for the two partner teachers may not exceed $5,000.
Acceptable Grant Funds expenses:1. Travel expenses (bus rental)
2. Program, lodging and facility fees
3. Meals during the tour / Acceptable Matching Funds contributions:
1. Travel expenses (bus rental)
2. Program, lodging and facility fees
3. Meals during the tour
4. Staff/volunteer time used to plan and execute the tour. Calculate this value based on an estimated hourly pay rate. Teacher hourly wages vary. An acceptable value for staff and volunteer hours is $27/hour.
5. Supplies
A / B / A + B
Expense Category / Grant Funds / Matching Funds / CATEGORY TOTAL
(add across rows)
Transportation / $ / $ / $
Program/Lodging/Facility Fees / $ / $ / $
Meals
/ $ / $ / $Teacher/Staff/Volunteer Hours / N/A / $ / $
Supplies / N/A / $ / $
Other – Please Explain:
______ / $ / $ / $
BUDGET TOTAL
(add down columns) / $(Total amount being requested in application) / $
(Total value of your matching funds. Must equal or exceed Column A total) / $
(Total value of your bus tour)
Are you a Title I School? [ ] Yes
[ ] No
[ ] N/A
Explain why you need funding from the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Program. (50 words max.)
Explain how the Bus Tour Program grant funds will be used in each of the budget categories above. Remember, the Bus Tour Program primarily funds transportation costs. (100 word max.)