Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/231222
Sarasota News Leader December 20, 2013 Page 59 SBEP ACCEPTING BAY PARTNER GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR 2014 The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) is accepting applications for the 2014 Bay Partner Grants Program with a deadline of March 3, the organization has announced. Some of the prior initiatives that have received grants have focused on wildlife gardens and landscaping featuring Florida native plants, micro-irrigation projects, land contouring to "The purpose of the annual program is to pro- create bioswales, production of signs that mote environmental education, community promote bay stewardship and educational involvement and stewardship to improve the programs. overall quality of Sarasota Bay and its tributar- Bay Partner Grant applications must be ies," a news release points out. Organizations received at the SBEP offices by 4 p.m. on can receive up to $3,000 for projects that benFriday, March 3, to be eligible. An application efit Sarasota Bay. SBEP has awarded $232,000 can be emailed as a Word document or PDF in grants to more than 113 organizations since file to Sara Kane at sara@sarasotabay.org. To 2003, the release adds. learn more about the grant program online, Schools, businesses, nonprofit organizations, visit the Get Involved page on the SBEP webacademic institutions, churches and civic site at sarasotabay.org. The website also lists groups in Sarasota and Manatee counties are the nine grant projects that were funded eligible for the funds, the release notes. The for 2013. watershed boundaries are from Anna Maria Sound to the Venice Inlet, encompassing all Inquires are welcome at 955-8085 or sara@sarasotabay.org. of the barrier islands as well. A variety of vessels dots Sarasota Bay on a cloudy morning in November. Photo by Norman Schimmel