The Western New York Environmental Justice Grant Program (WNYEJGP) is a new grant program by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to leverage existing and build new relationships within disadvantaged and underserved communities to advance short-term opportunities for measurable progress towards Great Lakes ecological and environmental restoration goals.
By providing financial resources, technical assistance, and fostering collaborative partnerships, the WNYEJGP will establish long-term community capacity to secure future funding and maintain restoration momentum at a regional, local scale.
Key Program Goals
Promote Environmental Justice
Ensure that disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities are consulted and centered in project design and benefits.
Promote Environmental Justice
Ensure that disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities are consulted and centered in project design and benefits.
Accelerate Ecological Restoration
Fund projects that restore and protect local ecosystems, water quality, and the long-term health and resilience of the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed.
Build Community Capacity
Empower communities to secure future funding and maintain restoration momentum through technical and administrative support.
Program Opportunities
Funding
Up to $3.3 million in grants will be awarded over two grant cycles to support projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. Grants will range from $50,000 to $500,000, covering a variety of project types including environmental education, emergent invasive species control, and habitat restoration.
Capacity-Building
BNW will provide technical and administrative training to grant recipients, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully implement their projects and secure future funding.
Collaborative Partnerships
BNW will lead a Community Engagement Committee to ensure the grant program is diverse, equitable, inclusive and reflective of the needs of disadvantaged communities. It is also a goal of the program to facilitate and encourage partnership building among the communities in the watershed.
Funding
Up to $3.3 million in grants will be awarded over two grant cycles to support projects that benefit disadvantaged communities. Grants will range from $50,000 to $500,000, covering a variety of project types including environmental education, emergent invasive species control, and habitat restoration.
Capacity-Building
BNW will provide technical and administrative training to grant recipients, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully implement their projects and secure future funding.
Collaborative Partnerships
BNW will lead a Community Engagement Committee to ensure the grant program is diverse, equitable, inclusive and reflective of the needs of disadvantaged communities. It is also a goal of the program to facilitate and encourage partnership building among the communities in the watershed.
