Port approves up to $415,000 grant to Literacy for Environmental Justice for Heron's Head Park and India Basin programs

The Port Commission approved authorization to award a grant of up to $415,000 to Literacy for Environmental Justice (Ledge) to deliver environmental-education services at Heron’s Head Park and India Basin Open Space. Carol Bach, Environmental Affairs Manager, recommended a phased, up-to-four-year award structure that would use $110,000 in Port funds per year and leverage partner contributions to deliver approximately $220,000 of services annually.

Bach said Ledge’s proposal included partners Golden Gate Audubon Society and the Marine Science Institute and described program elements such as one full-time equivalent park staffer, canoe trips serving schoolchildren, year-round teacher training (impacting roughly 800 students), family birding activities, and habitat restoration work. Bach explained that Ledge had secured external commitments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the California Coastal Conservancy, the U.S. EPA, the Heller Foundation and the Kimbell Foundation to match Port investment.

Malik Luper, executive director of Ledge, and representatives from partner organizations described program delivery and benefits. Linda Shore of the Exploratorium Teacher Institute said teacher training leverages classroom impact: "For every teacher we serve, at least 150 students in San Francisco Unified are directly served by what they learn," she said.

The Commission approved the grant by voice vote and staff said the award would be distributed in two phases (October 2010through September 2012, and a two-year extension through September 2014) to allow adjustments based on funding and program needs. Staff flagged the PR and communications component as a way to attract further funding and community engagement.

Next steps are execution of grant documents and coordination with partners to begin program delivery and teacher training as scheduled.