State parks grant workshops announced

New York State Parks Commissioner Rose Harvey announces the agency will hold a series of workshops for municipalities and not-for-profit organizations interested in applying for Environmental Protection Fund grants.

"The Environmental Protection Fund has been critical to the success of a wide variety of environmental and historic preservation projects in communities around our state," Harvey said. "We encourage community members and organizations to attend one of these workshops to learn more about how these grants may help advance their projects."

Under the enacted 2011-12 EPF budget, $12.3 million will be available for the acquisition, planning, development and improvement of parks, historic properties and heritage areas by municipalities and not-for profit organizations. Applications for the highly competitive program will be available June 1. The due date for completed applications is Sept. 1, 2011.

The workshops are free, no pre-registration is required and are scheduled as follows:

June 14

North Tonawanda

Herschell Carousel Museum

180 Thompson St.

North Tonawanda, NY 14120

1 to 3 p.m.

Contact Noelle Kardos for more information at 278-1761

June 15

Salamanca

Allegany State Park

Summit Warming Hut

ASP Route No. 1

Salamanca, NY 14779

1:30 to 4 p.m.

Contact Lynn LeFeber for more information at 354-9101, ext. 235

June 16

Lima

Genesee Community College, Lima Campus

7285 Gale Road at Route 15A

Lima, NY 14484

10 a.m. to noon

Contact Karen Ferguson for more information at 585-493-3613

Applications and more information about the grant program are available at http://www.nysparks.state.ny.us/grants.