The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced $6 million in Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants.
The grants, announced by DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, are going toward 32 community-based organizations across the state, including four organizations in the mid-Hudson Valley which were awarded nearly $675,000, to improve the well-being of those individuals most vulnerable to climate and pollution impacts.
“For two decades, DEC’s Environmental Justice grant programs have delivered real outcomes in support of a healthier, more sustainable future for people all across New York,” Lefton said in a statement.
Funding for DEC’s Environmental Justice Community Impact Grant program is provided by the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.
The grant funding is supporting organizations whose projects address environmental issues, harms and health hazards, assist in building community consensus, set priorities and improve public outreach and education.
Lefton said these organizations are “working tirelessly to lift up their communities” and advance environmental justice.
What organizations, projects won the grant locally?
In Dutchess County, awards went to Beacon-based Fareground Community Kitchen’s project, dubbed “From Waste to Nourishment: Listening, Learning, and Sharing Food in Beacon,” as well as to Poughkeepsie Farm Project and their “Poughkeepsie Earth Cycle Project.”
Looking at Orange County, both organizations awarded are based in Newburgh, including Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Inc.’s project called “Seeds of Resilience: Climate Solutions at Downing Park Urban Farm,” and Outdoor Promise Inc., and their project named “Breathe Newburgh: Building Community Power Through Air Quality Research and Bilingual Storytelling.”
How much funding was awarded to each? What is it going toward?
$100,000 to Beacon’s Fareground Community Kitchen: The organization will conduct a community survey, food waste education and public events at its Beacon engagement sites. Fareground will also engage in expanding food rescue, composting to reduce waste, improving food access, as well as supporting community and environmental health.
$173,705 to Newburgh Urban Farm and Food Inc.: To expand food access and climate resilience, a year-round greenhouse will be built. There will be remediation of urban soils, and the next generation of urban farmers will be trained through a paid internship.
$200,000 to Newburgh’s Outdoor Promise Inc.: The organization will work to expand air quality monitoring in Newburgh’s Environmental Justice neighborhoods, but also build lasting bilingual media capacity to share environmental health information that is timely and culturally relevant, to empower community action.
$200,000 to Poughkeepsie Farm Project: This organization will turn food waste into compost which will nourish City of Poughkeepsie gardens, as well as support youth jobs and promote environmental justice through education, community engagement and increased access to fresh, local food.
$7 million in new funding available from the DEC
Since 2006, the Environmental Justice Community Impact Grants have awarded over $25 million in funding for 289 projects in New York.
The DEC also announced $7 million in grant funding available to support the next round of qualifying applicants. Bids are due by 3 p.m. on July 1, according to the DEC’s website.
More information on the grant opportunity, such as project eligibility requirements, scoring criteria and a webinar on this, visit dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/environmental-justice/grant-programs.
Nickie Hayes is the Breaking & Trending News Reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal and focuses on how to make the most of what the mid-Hudson Valley has to offer. See her most recent articles here. Contact reporter Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com, 845-863-3518 and @nickieehayess on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Mid-Hudson environmental organizations awarded $600K for Earth Week
Reporting by Nickie Hayes, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
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