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Port to solicit grants for environmental education at Heron's Head Park
Summary
The Port authorized advertising a four-year grant opportunity not to exceed $415,000 to support environmental education programs at Heron's Head Park and India Basin Open Space, with proposals to be reviewed by a panel including community representation.
The Port Commission authorized staff to advertise a port-funded grant opportunity for environmental education programs at Heron's Head Park and India Basin Open Space.
Carol Bach, the Port's Environmental and Regulatory Affairs Specialist, presented the request and described the history of environmental programming at Heron's Head Park, noting a long-term contract with the nonprofit Literacy for Environmental Justice (Ledge) that expires in September 2010 and the opening of the EcoCenter facility. Staff proposed a four-year grant not to exceed $415,000 in total, with $119,000 budgeted for fiscal year 2010–11 and $105,000 budgeted for 2011–12; funding for subsequent years would be subject to operating budget availability.
Bach said the grant scope would include planning and running programs focused on wetland ecology, community events, and documentation and reporting requirements. Commission members asked about staffing levels and what could be done with roughly $100,000 a year; Bach said the current contract was funded at about $85,000 per year and provided roughly 1.5 full-time equivalent staff.
After a minor wording correction suggested by staff (changing a "whereas" clause to a "resolved" clause in the resolution text), the commission approved the resolution authorizing the solicitation and review process, with a selection panel to include subject-matter experts and at least one community representative. Staff expects to return in September with a recommended award.
