BENEFITS OF AN INNOVATION GRANT
One of the goals of the Innovation Grants program is to build the capacity of conservation professionals. In addition to financial support, grantees receive opportunities for professional development, including a three-day, face-to-face workshop with other grantees, and web-based training offered throughout the year. Grantees also receive support from TogetherGreen program staff, have an opportunity to receive public recognition at the local, state, and national level, and are networked with other grantees to share best practices and learn from others.
This year’s three-day training will take place in the fall at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Grantees are required to send a key member of their project team to attend this event.
What past Innovation Grant recipients have to say about the program:
Our TogetherGreen Innovation Grant helped us in several significant ways. The prestige of a competitive, national grant raised the profile of our project, which in turn provided us easier access to matching funds. Additionally, the skills developed through the TogetherGreen training sessions will benefit all our programming.
- Jim Bonner, Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, “Three Rivers Rain Garden Alliance”
Conserving habitat depends on our ability to reach out to those who make land management decisions, particularly landowners and foresters. Thanks to TogetherGreen’s focus on engaging people, we are able to work with these key partners to develop on the ground strategies with real conservation impact.
- Steve Hagenbuch, Audubon Vermont, “Vermont Forest Bird Initiative: Community-Based Habitat Management to Protect Global Bird Populations”
The training was as valuable as the grant itself! Learning from experts about how to improve the design of my project and be more effective in reaching audiences was very helpful to me and my project partners.
- Mike Burger, Audubon New York, “Identification and Protection of Stopover Sites in the Lake Ontario Basin”
Our Audubon chapter is very small and in a remote area. This grant allowed us to try new things and reach new people. And we’ve had great feedback. One volunteer told us, "As I'm sure you know, our walks together at Virgin Creek have forever enlightened my life.”
- Becky Bowen, Mendocino Coast Audubon Society, “Save Our Shorebirds”
TogetherGreen has allowed us to build deeper relationships with the community we serve. Our weekend events have already grown, thanks to our expanded school programs. Kids visit us during the week and then bring their parents on the weekend. We are looking forward to even more family engagement in conservation as our project unfolds.
- Jeff Chapman, Audubon Center at Debs Park, “Nature’s Open House”