Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper launches EPA-funded $1.6 million grant program for restoration projects in WNY communities

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper press release 

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is launching a new $1.6 million grant program to assist Western New York communities with environmental restoration projects. Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper’s Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant program will award funding totaling $1.6 million available to community projects ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 that address invasive species, habitat restoration, or nonpoint source water pollution. 

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper will lead the grant funding program in Western New York to ensure federal restoration dollars accelerate environmental and ecosystem restoration in local communities. Partnering with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper on the stewardship and distribution of funds in the Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant program are the Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo, Erie County, and the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance. 

Eligible entities for the funding include nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, municipal governments, quasi-municipal entities, and public or nonprofit institutes of education. Projects must be located within the Niagara River/Lake Erie watershed to be eligible. The full request for proposals is available at https://bnwaterkeeper.org/grantprogram/. Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a public information webinar via Zoom at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 26. The application process begins with a required letter of intent, which must be submitted by 3 p.m. Friday, April 17. 

“Western New York communities understand our regional environmental challenges the best because of our daily exposure to ongoing problems and our shared, lived experiences,” said Jill Jedlicka, executive director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. “We are honored to work with the USEPA and our partners to launch this innovative grant program, where other community-based groups and governments can be supported to tackle their own water quality challenges and improve surrounding ecosystems. We know that, when solutions are locally driven and cooperative, there will be a stronger likelihood for long-lasting success. We are thrilled to be able to help facilitate the distribution of federal GLRI funding support into Western New York communities.” 

 “Protecting and restoring the Great Lakes starts locally," said EPA Great Lakes National Program Director Teresa Seidel. "The Western New York Great Lakes Restoration Grant program ensures that communities in New York within Lake Erie’s eastern basin have the necessary opportunities and support to successfully implement projects in support of the GLRI.” 

Cara Matteliano, vice president of community impact at Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, said, “These federal funds are an important new resource to protect and restore Western New York’s watershed. The Community Foundation is proud to be a partner in this effort that not only improves our watershed but also ultimately supports the health, vitality and economy of the region.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “This important project will help to advance watershed restoration efforts as outlined in the Niagara River/Lake Erie Watershed Management Plan. Erie County is happy to work with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and the other project partners to bring these resources to our community.” 

Cassie Pinkoski, chair of the Lake Erie Watershed Protection Alliance, said, “We are excited to collaborate with Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, Erie County, and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo on this important program. This initiative advances our combined mission across the greater Niagara River and Lake Erie watershed of Western New York by providing critical resources to organizations throughout the region to support projects that improve water quality and protect our natural resources.” 

For more information on the program, how to apply, or to register for the public information webinar, visit https://bnwaterkeeper.org/grantprogram/ 

More about Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper is a community-based nonprofit organization that protects and restores our waters and surrounding ecosystems for the benefit of current and future generations. For over 35 years, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper has been the guardian of Western New York's fresh water, protecting clean water, restoring the health of ecosystems, connecting people to the water and inspiring sustainable economic growth and community engagement. For more information, visit www.bnwaterkeeper.org.