DEC Office of Environmental Justice to host Statewide Teleconference about Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Office of Environmental Justice is hosting a public teleconference on Thursday, July 14, 2011, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM for individuals interested in the Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants (EJ Grants). Aimee Vargas, the Director of the Office of Environmental Justice, will provide interested organizations with detailed information about the EJ Grants and the application process.

The EJ Grants are available to community-based organizations to fund various projects, including but not limited to community gardens and green roofs, air and water quality monitoring, lead poisoning prevention, urban forestry, subsistence fishing education, environmental education, inventories of local pollution sources, and green worker training. Larger not-for-profit organizations, universities and municipalities can partner with community organizations on funded projects. Community-based organizations, community leaders, municipal and university representatives, and other interested stakeholders are welcome to participate in the conference call, which is part of the DEC’s ongoing outreach efforts which included Technical Workshops throughout the State and an upcoming Video Conference/Webinar on August 10th.

Applications are due Friday, September 9, 2011, and awards are expected to be made in November.

The EJ Grants are funded through the Environmental Justice Community Impact Research Grant program. Launched in 2006 with input from the DEC Office of Environmental Justice’s Environmental Justice Advisory Group, the program helps local organizations with projects to address environmental and public health concerns. The program concentrates on communities that are historically overburdened by problems such as a high density of contaminated sites; noise, air and water pollution; health problems; and a lack of green space and waterfront access.

Individual awards will range from $2,500 to $50,000, and a total of approximately $1 million is available. During the last funding cycle in 2008, DEC awarded 50 grants totaling $1.6 million.

To join the teleconference, participants may call 1-866-394-2346. When prompted, dial the participant code 5385701554, followed by the # sign. When prompted again, press "1" to join the call.

If you have any questions about the teleconference or other questions about the EJ Grants, please call the DEC Office of Environmental Justice at 1-866-229-0497 or 518-402-8556, or e-mail the Office of EJ .