Rockfall Grant Workshop October 11th

The Rockfall Foundation will hold an informal Grant Information Workshop on Tuesday, October 11th from 5 - 6 p.m. at the deKoven House Community Center, 27 Washington Street, Middletown. Representatives of nonprofit organizations, towns, and schools who seek support for environmental education, conservation and planning projects in Middlesex County are encouraged to attend.

Detailed grant guidelines and eligibility requirements as well as a grant application can be obtained on the web at the “Green Grants” page of the foundation’s website, www.rockfallfoundation.org , or by calling the Foundation's office at 860-347-0340. To register for the workshop, or for additional information, contact Tony Marino, Grants Administrator, at tmarino@rockfallfoundation.org , (860) 347-0340.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is November 18, 2011 and awards will be announced in mid-February, 2012.

The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education, conservation programs and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. Established in 1935, it is one of Connecticut's oldest environmental organizations, whose mission is to be a catalyst-- bringing people together and supporting organizations to conserve and enhance the county's natural environment.

Rockfall Foundation Invites Environmental Grant Proposals

The Rockfall Foundation invites grant proposals from nonprofit organizations, towns, and schools to support environmental education, conservation and planning projects in Middlesex County. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is November 11, 2010 and awards will be announced in mid-February, 2011.

"Rockfall grants often serve as catalysts for imaginative ways to preserve our natural environment while enhancing the quality of life for all county residents," according to Rockfall Grants Chairman, Anthony P. Marino. "Grant selections also often reflect Rockfall's focus on grassroots programs, particularly those that encourage residents to spend more time outside and better understand the county's natural resources and unique character."

Of special interest are: projects for youth that integrate activities with local, standards-based curricula; projects that encourage community growth that is in harmony with the environment; and internship projects with measurable outcomes for college students. Priority will be given to projects that serve as models throughout Middlesex County, explains Marino.

All those who are interested in submitting a proposal are invited to an informal grants informational workshop on Tuesday, October 19th from 5 - 6 p.m. at the deKoven House Community Center.

Detailed guidelines and eligibility requirements as well as a grant application can be obtained from the foundation's website, www.rockfallfoundation.org, or by calling the Foundation's office at 860-347-0340. To register for the workshop, or for additional information about Rockfall grants, contact Virginia R. Rollefson, Executive Director, vrr@rockfallfoundation.org, or phone (860) 347-0340.

The Rockfall Foundation supports environmental education, conservation programs and planning initiatives in Middlesex County. Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010, it is one of Connecticut's oldest environmental organizations. Rockfall's mission is to be a catalyst-- bringing people together and supporting organizations to conserve and enhance the county's natural environment.

The Rockfall Foundation Awards 2010 Environmental Grants

The Rockfall Foundation Awards 2010 Environmental Grants

The Rockfall Foundation has awarded grants for grassroots environmental projects to 14 groups in Middlesex County. A total of $15,000 has been distributed to county libraries, schools and other nonprofit organizations.

The majority of the grants for the 2009-2010 grant year will support environmental education and conservation initiatives involving children in elementary grades through high school. The grant recipient schools and libraries represent communities throughout the county, including Durham, Middlefield, Middletown, Essex, East Hampton, Haddam, East Haddam and Deep River. The complete list of recipients is below.

“We are particularly pleased that a number of grants will help enrich school science and natural history curricula,” said Anthony P. Marino, chair of the foundation’s Grant’s Committee. “These awards are a tribute to the dedication and creativity of our county’s teachers, librarians and volunteer educators.”

As in previous years, the funded projects stress hands-on learning and exploration, through tending organic gardens, creating interpretive signs for nature trails, and enjoying supervised encounters with live animals. Students will share their experiences and learning on the web.

“Most of these projects help build and nurture community among students and adults both in and outside of the classroom,” Marino adds. For example, students involved with school and community garden projects will donate their harvests to local food banks and soup kitchens.

One school-based project highlights The Rockfall Foundation’s 75th Anniversary, which is being celebrated this year. Educators at Memorial Middle School (Middlefield) are partnering with the Regional School District 13 Outdoor Education Center ( Durham ), Connecticut Forest and Park Association (Rockfall) and Long Hill Estate ( Middletown ) to create a standard-based curriculum for two Wadsworth Legacy properties, Wadsworth Falls State Park and Long Hill Estate, which were once owned by Rockfall founder, Clarence S. Wadsworth.

“Due to their location, the Wadsworth legacy properties are easily accessible to school children in six Middlesex communities,” according to Kevin Brough, Principal of Memorial Middle School. The projects materials and docent program will enable more classes to visit and explore these remarkable parks of natural beauty and ecological significance. “This initiative has the potential to bring students of diverse backgrounds together to explore the outdoor world.”

The foundation has provided environmental education and planning grants to organizations and towns throughout Middlesex County since 1971. Rockfall seeks programs that inspire residents, young and old, to go outside, take a hike, paddle a local river and, whenever possible, get up close and personal with wildlife. While modest, the foundation’s grants often provide critical seed money and support for outstanding environmental education and planning projects.

Requests from county schools and organizations for environmental grants have increased sharply in recent years. As a result, the foundation has initiated a Campaign to Grow Our Grants, which is the focus of the foundation’s 75th anniversary benefit dinner celebration in May.

A complete listing of the grant recipients and project descriptions are available on the foundation’s website www.rockfallfoundation.org. Grants are awarded by the foundation annually. Application information and schedules are available by calling the office at (860) 347-0340 or visiting the website.

Founded 75 years ago by Middletown philanthropist Colonel Clarence S. Wadsworth, Rockfall is named after the falls in Wadsworth Falls State Park . In addition to its grants program, the foundation sponsors educational symposia, continues to preserve and help sustain open space land holdings in the county and supports the 100- year-old Wadsworth/Kerste deBoer Arboretum, a Wadsworth legacy property on Long Lane.

Rockfall is headquartered in Middletown in the historic deKoven House on Washington Street , which it maintains and operates as a community center with meeting rooms and office space for locally-based environmental groups.

Contact: Virginia R. Rollefson, Executive Director, The Rockfall Foundation
(860)340--0340; vrr@rockfallfoundation.org

The Rockfall Foundation Grants 2009-2010

Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Rockfall

"WalkCT Program - Middlesex County Representation on WalkCT Website” to collect and publish trail information for towns in Middlesex County on this statewide walking locations and healthy lifestyles website.

Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District, Middletown

"Promoting Water & Watershed Conservation: A Rain Barrel Demonstration Project" to raise awareness about an inexpensive and easy to use "green" practice.

Connecticut River Museum, Essex

"Interpretive Signage Program, Phase I" to educate the public about the natural heritage of the Connecticut River and the Essex waterfront.

Deep River Public Library, Deep River

"Greening Library Sprouts in Deep River" to create an organic garden on the grounds of the Deep River Public Library to engage children and their parents as learners, explorers, leaders, and nurturers.

Town of East Haddam

"Green Committee Organic Victory Garden": to convert underutilized land into an educational organic garden in keeping with East Haddam's historical agrarian rural character while supplementing the local Food Bank with fresh produce.

East Hampton Library, East Hampton

"Fribrary Time Goes Green!" to educate 4th and 5th graders on ways to preserve and protect the environment and effect positive change in attitudes and behavior through a year-long series of hands-on, age-appropriate activities.

Essex Garden Club, Inc., Essex

"John Winthrop Middle School Greenhouse and Raised Bed Gardening Project" to educate students about healthy and sustainable gardening practices and share harvests with the community.

Haddam Land Trust, Higganum

"Bamforth Wildlife Preserve: Wildlife Habitats Trail" to create National Park Service style signage in cooperation with Haddam-Killingworth High School students to educate the public about local wildlife habitats and sustainable management techniques.

Incarnation Center’s Bushy Hill Program, Ivoryton

"Living Off the Land: The Magic of Fire" to introduce students to the basic skills of cooking and production of household products through the Native American and Wetlands Program

Independent Day School, Middlefield

"School Garden and Empty Bowls Projects" to cultivate an organic school garden and support food pantries in Middlesex County as part of an interdisciplinary standards-based curriculum project for students in kindergarten- 8th grade to learn about organic, sustainable food.

Middlefield Memorial School, Middlefield

"Stewardship of the Natural World Through Education and Experience at Wadsworth Legacy Properties" to create a standards-based curriculum to get students and families outside for hands-on education about the natural world so that they can become stewards of the environment; initiate a docent program to encourage area schools and families to come to the properties.

New Britain Youth Museum At Hungerford Park (Van Buran Moody School)

Kensington” Environmental Education Program: Live Animal Programs for Kindergarteners at Moody School" to provide classroom and hands-on, live animal programs to augment the Kindergarten Science curriculum to increase vocabulary, science literacy, and awareness of the natural world.

Regional School District 13 Outdoor Education Center, Durham

"Interactive Website for Wadsworth Legacy Properties" to create an interactive website where it will be possible to click on different map locations to learn about local plants, trees, animals, ecology, and history; and where teachers, docents and the public can print out information, curriculum and suggested activities.

Higganum Vision Group

"Higganum Vision Group - Community Building Projects" to encourage development to preserve natural and cultural resources, and improve pedestrian/bike safety to create a lively community where people live, work and play.

Rockfall Foundation Awards 2009 Grants to Middletown Groups

The Rockfall Foundation Awards 2009 Grants to Middletown Groups

Middletown, CT—The Rockfall Foundation recently awarded grants to six Middletown groups in support of local agriculture, food security and environmental education and outreach projects.

A total of nearly $9000 will be distributed in Middletown in 2009, with the one-year grants ranging from $500 to $2500. This represents more than half the total funds awarded this year by the foundation, which has provided environmental education and planning grants to organizations and towns throughout Middlesex County since 1971.

Anthony P. Marino, Chair of Rockfall’s Grants Committee, said that “Our choices continue to reflect Rockfall’s focus on grassroots programs that encourage residents to spend more time outside and to better understand our communities’ natural resources and unique character,” The foundation, says Marino, seeks programs that inspire both young and old to go outside, take a walk or trail hike, paddle a local river and dig in the dirt. “Direct, hands-on experiences often translate into life-long appreciation and care for our natural world,” explains Marino. “The heart of our mission at Rockfall is to encourage long-term stewardship of our county’s natural environment.”

The Connecticut River Coastal Conservation District has received a grant to produce a guide and presentation on how to control invasive plant species in private yards, which will be an invaluable resource for ecologically minded gardeners.

The city of Middletown will use one if its two 2009 Rockfall grants to produce a detailed city walking guide.

[ related story in Eye http://middletowneyenews.blogspot.com/2009/04/walk-ct-to-be-featured-in-westfield.html ] “Development of a comprehensive walking guide to the city can go a long way toward getting residents out of their cars and into a more active lifestyle,” believes Leslie Lewis, director of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s WalkCT project. “I believe this is the first step (no pun intended) toward making the city the first WalkCT community in the state.”

The Jonah Center for Earth and Art received a grant in general support of environmental education and outreach projects, particularly those that will involve school children. Programs that engage children are of special interest to Rockfall. "Through Rockfall’s K-12 grants- to- schools initiative we hope to encourage educators to incorporate nature lessons into their classrooms,” explains Marino. “Groups like the Jonah Center provide valuable experiences and resources for teachers who may not have time to develop their own materials or programs.”

A number of this year’s grants also reflect Rockfall’s new specially-designated interest in encouraging local farming and sustainable agriculture in Middlesex County, especially through the marketing and distribution of locally-produced foods. “Middletown has always valued local farms for their beauty and the diversity of foods they bring to our tables and local restaurants,” says Jane Harris, Chair of Rockfall’s Environment and Education Committee and a member of the Grants Committee. “Now there is more awareness of just how vital local farms can be to keeping food costs low while safeguarding the health of our natural resources.”

Middletown’s Department of Planning, Conservation and Development has been awarded a Rockfall grant to bring farmers, land-use commissioners, city officials and the public together in a series of facilitated meetings called charettes to explore how to establish a sustainable farmer’s market in Middletown.

Another Rockfall grant will support Wesleyan University’s Long Lane Farm’s expanded program to assist food security programs in Middletown. “With the help of the Rockfall Foundation, Long Lane Farm is embarking on another phase of its development,” believes Dr. Barry Chernoff, Director of Environmental Studies at Wesleyan and a project participant. “The Farm has made a decision to substantially increase its ability to provide food that it grows for low income families through organizations such as The Amazing Grace Food Pantry, as well as others. According to Chernoff, the new effort seeks to respond to “the true need that is building in our communities for free food for people who have been hurt by the economic depression that our country is in.”

With its grant from Rockfall, the Russell Library will plant a few seeds of its own that may help nurture a new generation of local farmers. On library grounds, the Green Children ecology group will grow a variety of vegetables from around the world and teach its young farmers how to prepare a variety of ethnic dishes with their harvest.

While modest, the foundation’s grants often provide critical seed money and support for groups that don’t have large budgets or staff to attract major benefactors or grants. Such funding is difficult to acquire in times of economic cutbacks and belt tightening.

A recent national poll conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press revealed in January that protecting natural resources and major environmental issues such as global warming are no longer considered to be important priorities by the American public as concerns over the economy and job losses predominate. “This reinforces the importance of not only continuing but strengthening our mission here in the county,” believes Rockfall President Brian McCarthy, “especially through our grants program. “Our goal in the next few years,” he explains, “is to increase membership and donor support so we will not have to turn away any worthy applicant in the future.”

Rockfall 2009 grants also were awarded in Middlesex County to the Connecticut River Museum, the Town of Essex, the Essex Land Trust, Incarnation Center and the Henry Carter Hull Library.

Founded nearly 75 years ago by Middletown resident Clarence S. Wadsworth, Rockfall is named after the falls in Wadsworth Falls State Park. In addition to its grants program, the foundation continues to preserve and help sustain open space land holdings in Middletown and support the Wadsworth/Kerste deBoer Arboretum, a Wadsworth legacy property on Long Lane, which will mark its 100th anniversary this April.

Rockfall is headquartered in the historic deKoven House on Washington Street, which it maintains and operates as a community center, and provides office space for locally-based environmental groups.

Every fall, the foundation sponsors an annual symposium that explores issues related to municipal growth and how to balance conservation and economic development. This year’s symposium will focus on the economics of greening for towns and businesses, and will be held at Middlesex Community College on October 9th.

Grants are awarded by the foundation annually. Application information and schedules are available by calling the office at 347-0340 or visiting the website http://www.rockfallfoundation.org/.

Submitted By: Claire Rusowicz, The Rockfall Foundation(203)530-4004; crusowicz@rockfallfoundation.org