The Ocean Guardian School program funds projects focused on a current issue(s) affecting local watersheds and/or the ocean while promoting best environmental practices.
Donor Name: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
State: California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 06/01/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $4,000
Details:
Through a school- or community-based project, schools work to make a difference in the health and protection of their local watersheds, ocean and/or special ocean areas like national marine sanctuaries.
Ocean Guardian School Project Pathways and example projects:
- Watershed Restoration – watershed/wetland restoration, fish habitat creation, shoreline/bank stabilization
- 6Rs (Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, Recycle) – school-wide recycling/composting programs, redesign and implementation of school-based wastewater system, school-wide green purchasing program, zero waste lunch program
- Marine Debris – reducing single-use plastics in school, promoting reusable bags in local community/stores, promoting monofilament recycling stations in community
- Schoolyard Garden/Habitat – creating or improving school gardens/schoolyard habitats with an emphasis on native plants, low water use, rain catchment systems, etc. while clearly connecting these activities to the health and preservation of the local watershed and/or ocean
- Energy & Ocean Health – school energy audits/carbon footprint calculations resulting in energy saving plans (i.e., “power down” campaign, “no idling” campaign, bike to school days, light bulb/computer energy saving plans, etc.), clean energy alternatives such as wind/solar projects, water savings projects, tree planting.
Funding Information
Grants are awarded up to $4,000 per school depending on the level of the project and funding year. A school may re-apply for funding for the same project for up to five (5) successive years. Maximum funding amounts are: Years 1-3 = $4,000; Year 4 = $2,500; Year 5 = $1,000. Schools are welcome to apply to participate in the program without funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participation without Funding: Any school (PreK-12) in the United States may apply to participate in the Ocean Guardian School program without funding.
- Participation with Funding:
- Any school (preK-12) located in California in the following counties:
- Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity, Mendocino, Lake, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, Monterey, San Benito, Merced, Madera, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Santa Barbara, and Ventura
- Any school (preK-12) located in Washington in the following counties:
- Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Pacific
- Any school (preK-12) located in Oregon in the following counties:
- Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos and Curry
- Any school (preK-12) located in Hawaii.
- Any school (preK-12) located in California in the following counties:
For more information, visit NOAA.