Welcome

Metro Waste Authority (MWA) and Growing Green Communities (GGC) are teaming up to award five-$5,000 reimbursable grants to organizations or governmental bodies for watershed improvement, enhancement and sustainability projects through a new initiative called Watershed Connections.

Eligibility
Watershed Connections is open to organizations and governmental bodies within the communities MWA serves: Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Elkhart, Grimes, Hartford, Johnston, Mingo, Mitchellville, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, Polk City, Prairie City, Runnells, Sheldahl, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Windsor Heights, and Unincorporated Polk County.  All cleanups and projects must take place within MWA's service area.  MWA's Service Area

Overview

Grants are open to organizations or government bodies in MWA's service area. To be eligible for one of the five reimbursable grants, groups must:

• Register and complete a stream cleanup in their watershed between August 15 and November 30, 2007
• Submit a post-cleanup report
• Attend a post cleanup season workshop November 10, 2007
• Submit watershed improvement plan grant application by February 1, 2008

Step One

Here's how the program works. The first step is to get organized and plan a stream cleanup. You can do it from the water or from the bank--whatever works best. Choose a designated representative for your group to complete and return the cleanup registration form below at least two weeks before your event. The form should answer questions you may have and let you know how MWA and GGC can help make your cleanup a success.

Cleanups must take place between August 15 and November 30, 2007.

Cleanup Plan (PDF)

Step Two

After your cleanup is complete, pat yourselves on the back! Next step--your designated representative will complete the stream cleanup report below and return it along with digital pictures (JPEG or EPS format, please) documenting the time spent making the waterway in your community healthier.

Stream Cleanup Report (PDF)

Step Three

Mark Your Calendars: On Saturday, November 10, your designated representative, along with a couple other members of your core team, will come to a mandatory post-cleanup season workshop to celebrate, brainstorm, and network as the grant application date draws near. It's time to get down to business!

Step Four

After you have met the requirements described in Steps One, Two and Three, you are eligible to apply for a grant.  A grant application will be sent to you during the first week in December and is due February 1, 2008.

Please Note:  You will want to check back to learn of any changes to the guidelines and requirements as Watershed Connections begins its second year in the spring of 2008.

2007-2008 Watershed Connections Grant Winners

For questions, please contact Mary Gillaspey, MWA's education specialist, at mgi@mwatoday.com or by calling 515-323-6505.