URBANWATERS A Partnership for Restoring Urban Waterways and Revitalizing Communities NWI Urban Waters Meeting - October 27,2017,9:30-12 CST Hammond Civic Center. 5825 Sohl Ave, Hammond. IN 46320 We have much to celebrate together, from the Sammies People's Choice Award to another exciting Canoemobile season! The agenda features a presentation from Save the Dunes on their Little Calumet River East Branch Public Use and Habitat Enhancement project. After the meeting we'll head outside for an update on the SCATree Team's efforts. Help plant some trees and watch the SCA team in action! If you plan to plant (and we hope you do!) please dress appropriately, including close- toed shoes. Featured Funding Opportunity The Healthy Watersheds Consortium a partnership between the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, USEPA, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a request for proposals due February 1, 2018. The Healthy Watersheds Consortium Grant Program goal is to accelerate strategic protection of healthy, freshwater ecosystems and their watersheds. This goal will be achieved by: • Developing funding mechanisms, plans, or other strategies to implement large-scale watershed protection, source water protection, green infrastructure, or related landscape conservation objectives; • Building the sustainable organizational infrastructure, social support, and long-term funding commitments necessary to implement large-scale protection of healthy watersheds; and • Supporting innovative or catalytic projects that may accelerate funding for or implementation of watershed protection efforts, or broadly advance this field of practice. Above: SCA tree team plainting a tree. Above: Healthy Watersheds Consortium logo. ------- Join us at the NWI Urban Waters Partnership meeting on October 27th to discuss this opportunity. Don't Miss IDEM's 2017 Grand Calumet River AOC Seminar Thursday, October 26,2017 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (CDT) Gary. IN This year's theme is the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern (AOC)'s past, present, and future! Learn from a panel of experts about the Grand Calumet River AOC history, accomplishments to date, and work currently underway, as well as work currently taking place to restore the Grand Calumet River AOC. Register for this free seminar. Refreshments and light lunch will be served. Another Amazing Year of Canoemobile! Congratulations to Dunes Learning Center, the Trail Creek Watershed Partnership, National Park Service, Wilderness Inquiry, and dozens of other partners on another incredible season of canoemobile trips! Thousands of students and community members experienced their waterways by canoe and also learned about water quality, water safety, local history and more! Above: Students paddle during canoemobile Partners in the Press Check out this recent media coverage of Urban Waters partners: • Little Calumet River branch opening invites rebirth of paddling • 900 students float the Kankakee • Portage city marina planning for its next 20 years • USS Lead. EPA reach agreement to study groundwater, soil contamination • Take a hike ... and explore the more than 50 great trails in the Region • Region events offer chances to oet fit • Shirley Heinze Land Trusts continues to grew and protect the Region's natural lands • Region environment vastly improved bv cleanup partnerships • Little Calumet reopens to paddling after three decades • Canoe race added to Trail Creek Week • Trail Creek Week awarded Paddle Nation Grant • IU Northwest's NSF-AIMS Scholars kick off college with water research • USGS Partners with Four Cities to Improve Urban Waterways • From stockings to trees, brownfield branching out • Group aims to biur state lines to build stronger Region Funding Opportunities FEMA FY17 Flood Mitigation Assistance j Nominations for Conservation Projects Grants are available to implement Conservation Alliance grants are measures to reduce or eliminate risk of j awarded to non-profits for projects to ------- severe repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. Local communities and organizations can be subawardees with the state as the primary awardee. Applications due November 14 secure permanent protection of a wild land or waterway with clear habitat & recreational benefits. Up to $50,000 Nominations due November 1 EPA Brownfields Proaram Grants Provides funds to empower states, communities, tribes, and nonprofits to prevent, inventory, assess, clean up, and reuse brownfield sites. Multiple grant oroarams are ooen for for Assessment. Revolvina Loan Fund. Cleanuo. Proposals due November 16 Community Food Proiects Grants USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture requests applications for the Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program. The Program funds two types of grants, Community Food Projects and Planning Projects. Applications due December 4 Upcoming Events and Webinars Grand Calumet Area of Concern Seminar October 26 Garv. IN Lake Michiaan Fisheries Seminars November 1 Hammond Marina November 15 Michigan City Webinar: Leveraaina 319 and SDWA Online Course: Urban Forest Adaotation Proa rams for Water Qualitv Plannina November 7, 1 -2:30 pm Plannina and Practices November 7, 2017 - January 30, 2018 State of Lake Michiaan Conference Webinar: Growina New Jobs with Green November 7-10 Green Bay, Wisconsin Infrastructure November 8, 1:00 - 2:30 pm EST Items of Interest Local Foods. Local Places Assistance The program will provide selected communities planning assistance to reinvest in existing neighborhoods and revitalize downtowns through the development of local food systems Applications due October 25 IN Watershed Leadershio Academv The Academy educates watershed coordinators, teachers, engineers, and others to lead watershed efforts that improve water quality. January-May 2018 (apply by Nov 3) Meetings throughout IN Arbor Dav Award Nominations Each year, the Arbor Day Foundation honors top individuals and organizations involved in exemplary tree planting and environmental practices. Nominations due November 30 New Water Infrastructure Financial Leadershio Document This document, produced by USEPA and the Environmental Council of States, highlights successful strategies that have been used to fund and finance water infrastructure. Uodate to the Forest Service 2010 Resources Plannina Act Assessment The Update to the 2010 Resources Local Floodina Resources for NWI Communities These resources, compiled by LMCP, ------- Planning Act Assessment summarizes findings about the status, trends, and projected future of forests, rangelands, wildlife, biodiversity, water, outdoor recreation, and urban forests, as well as the effects of climate change. are meant to serve as a starting point for understanding your community's flood risk, tools that can be used in your community, and what groups and initiatives are tackling localized flooding issues. New Water Eauitv Clearinahouse This online database from the U.S. Water Alliance showcases innovative and promising practices in equitable water management. Greater Greener 2017 Presentations The Greater & Greener Conference featured sessions on the role of urban parks in creating healthy, resilient, and economically competitive cities. The Northwest Indiana Urban Waters Partnership focuses on the Lake Michigan watershed in Lake, LaPorte and Porter Counties, Indiana. Urban Waters works to connect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and state and local partners. The goals are to improve the Nation's water systems and to promote their economic, environmental and social benefits. ------- |