Vermonters have an exciting new opportunity to protect and restore watersheds through the Vermont Watershed Grants program. Half of the proceeds from Vermont Conservation License Plate sales fund the new Vermont Watershed Grants program which distributes grants for local and regional water-related projects in Vermont.

Funds are available for water-related projects that:

Protect or restore fish and wildlife habitats;

Protect or restore water quality, and shorelines;

 

Reduce phosphorus loading and/or sedimentation as part of Clean & Clear objectives;

Enhance recreational use and enjoyment;

Identify and protect historic and cultural resources;

Educate people about watershed resources; or

Monitor fish and wildlife populations and/or water quality.

Who May Apply

Municipalities, local or regional governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and citizen groups are eligible to receive Watershed Grants for work on public or private lands. Individuals and state and federal agencies are not eligible to receive funds directly, but may be partners of a project.

• 1998-2006 List of Funded Watershed Grant Projects (pdf, 250 KB).

Funding Categories

Watershed Mini-Grant: $200 to $1,000 awards. Mini-grants are intended for small projects, or for discreet, identifiable portions of larger projects.

Watershed Grant: Awards larger than $1,000. $6,000 maximum grant amount. Grants are intended for complete projects or for discreet, identifiable portions of larger projects.

Application Information

Grant awards are made on an annual cycle, with applications due in the fall of the year and funding decisions made the following mid-winter. The 2008 Project Year grant applications are now available.   Persons interested in applying should consult and use the 2008 forms shown below.

• Vermont Watershed Grants Application Guide (2008 project year) (pdf, 265 KB)
• Watershed Grant Application (2008 project year) (pdf, 98 KB)
• Watershed Grant Application - Word Version (2008 project year) (doc, 66KB)
• Watershed Mini-Grant Application (2008 project year) (pdf, 85 KB)
• Watershed Mini-Grant Application - Word Version (2008 project year) (doc, 57 KB)
• Vermont Watershed Grants Administration Guide (2008 project year) (pdf, 146 KB)

A Vermont Watershed Grants Application Guide or a Watershed Grant Application or a Mini-Grant Application may also be requested by contacting the Water Qualty Division.

Updated: October 2007