Ocean Guardian School Program
Grants for California Schools to Sponsor Water Conservation Projects
Some California schools have the opportunity to become "Ocean Guardians" through a National Marine Sanctuaries grant program that funds local ocean conservation projects.
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries has initiated an ocean conservation grant program that offers up to $6,000 for California schools to become Ocean Guardians within their communities. Students are offered the chance to develop a conservation project that will benefit local watersheds, the waterfront or ocean environment.
Students in any grade from Kindergarten through High School in the California counties of Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura are eligible to participate in the grant program. Grants can vary from $2,000 to $6,000 each depending on the size of the school and number of grade levels involved in the proposed project. A total of $100,000 is being awarded through the grant program.
Announcing the conservation grant effort in a press release, Seaberry Nachbar of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries says, “California can set a great example for schools nationwide by promoting environmental conservation in their local community with funding from the Ocean Guardian School project."
Eligibility and Application Requirements for Participating in the Ocean Guardian Program:
- Any kindergarten through 12th grade school found in the California counties of Marin, San Francisco, Alameda, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura can apply
- Funding will be made available to successful applicants at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year
- Email Seaberry Nachbar at the beginning of the school year to be added to the program mailing list and receive application materials
- Develop an action plan and program budget for the proposed school or community conservation project
- Successful grant applicants will receive funds for completing their conservation project and a plaque acknowledging participation in the Ocean Guardian Program
Potential Ocean Guardian School Projects:
- Reducing ocean pollution by labeling local storm water drains that lead to the waterfront
- Developing a waste resource recovery program like composting fallen leaves
- Establishing a school or community landscaping project that uses native water saving plants
- Rehabilitation of riparian habitats and stream banks
- Starting a neighborhood recycling program
- Identifying wastewater disposal options that do not harm local watersheds
- Sponsoring a safe household hazardous waste disposal program
- Reducing the sources of marine debris like plastic grocery bags
- Hosting a beach cleanup day
- Improve migratory fish passages
The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries encourages schools to use lesson plans and curricula aligned to national education standards that teach the fundamental concepts of ocean literacy. Appropriate examples can be found at the Marine Sanctuaries Education website.
