Ohio EPA grant to help rain garden project

The rain garden project shows how to protect water quality and prevent flooding in urban areas.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A $4,990 Ohio Environmental Protection Agency grant will help pay for the Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District’s Rain Garden Education and Demonstration project.

A total of 13 projects throughout the state received funding totaling $50,000, according to an Ohio EPA press release.

The local project provides a demonstration rain garden at the Mahoning SWCD office site on Industrial Road. The rain garden will be used to educate county residents, business owners, developers, contractors, landscapers and others about simple, cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing ways to protect water quality and prevent flooding in urban areas.

The Mahoning County Green Team and Mahoning Valley Landscape and Nursery Association are collaborating.

The OEPA Education Fund gives out about $1 million each year for environmental education projects targeting kindergarten through university students and the general public. General grants are given for projects lasting up to 30 months and costing up to $50,000.

Smaller grants are available for projects lasting up to 12 months and costing between $500 and $5,000. Proposals for classroom projects, conference speakers and other activities that are eligible under the general-grant program are eligible under the small-grant program, but the application process is streamlined.

Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education reserves up to $50,000 each grant round to fund projects submitted under the small-grant program. Just like the general-grant program, there are two small-grant rounds each year, with the next applications deadline Jan. 15. An electronic letter of intent to apply is due Jan. 8.

For more information, contact Ohio EPA’s Office of Environmental Education at (614) 644-2873.