Quaker Earthcare WitnessMini-Grants 2011

Bill Holcombe, ClerkHousatonic (CT) MM NYYM

Mary Gilbert, NEYM

QEW Mini-Grants

• Environmental project matching grants for Quaker meetings and partners

• 2011: Grants up to $500 grant applicants match from their budget or by fund-raising

• Grants Awarded:– El Alto, Bolivia Tree Planting– Miami FL Native Garden– Saratoga Springs NY Rain Garden– Vancouver Canada Drip Irrigation– West VA Friends Wilderness Center LED Lighting

Miami MM Native Garden• Goals:

– Beautify grounds with native plants– Create native landscape to attract butterflies, bees and birds– Lower energy use—no watering required– Sustainable garden for education of local children

• Local community involvement; partners include:– TREEmendous Miami– Native Plant Society of South Dade– Tropical Audobon Society

• Buildings & Grounds enlisted support of:– First Day School Children ages 4 to 13– Children & parents of neighboring Bilingual Coop Pre-school

Miami MM Garden Planting: Happy Helpers

Miami MM Garden Early Learning

Miami MM Children Discover a Lovely Fungus

Miami MM Child Beholds a Beautiful Spider Web

El Alto Proyecto de Arbolizacion• Goals:

– Initiate tree planting in treeless high altitude environment– Beautify grounds around the church– Over 100 trees planted– Demonstrate possibility of trees survival at altitude

• Local community involvement; partners include:– Local Youth Group of Young Friends– Mayor’s Office donates trees to project

El Alto BoliviaTree Planting Project

First ever tree planting in one of America’s highest populated places.

El Alto: Lining Up the Job

El Alto: Laying the Ground Work for Tree Planting

El Alto: Community Pitches in to get Planting under way

Saratoga Springs, NY Rain Garden

• Rain Garden Project Goals: – Redress drainage problems on grounds– Redress splashing on clapboard Meeting House walls– Beautify grounds with native plants– Create native landscape to attract butterflies, wild bees and birds– Lower water use– Limit runoff in to septic system– Sustainable garden for education of local children

• Other Benefits include:– Use of Compost on grounds– Educational opportunities for First Day School children– Involvement/contributions from many members

• Photos and Reports to follow

Saratoga Springs, NY Rain Garden

Kenya Munyu Youth Group• Goals:

– Involve Youth Group in agriculture development & education– Develop existing tree nursery using indigenous trees– Initiate sericulture (silk worms) and apiary (bees) projects– Plant indigenous trees and strawberry plants worms feed on– Develop business to redress poverty among locals

• Other Benefits include:– Educate Local Youth Group of Young Friends– Involve Friends and Advancement for non-members

• Photos and Progress Reports over Life of 2 Year Project

Vancouver Drip Irrigation• Drip Irrigation Project Goals:

– Demonstrate viability of drip irrigation– Reduce water use by 50%– Install drip irrigation for 100 ft perennial bed– Save time and money

• Local Meeting involvement:– Resident Friend to purchase materials & install system– Expertise/advice donated locally– Costs kept to a minimum– Project came in at less than projected $150 total

Vancouver Drip Irrigation Project

Vancouver Drip Irrigation Project: coming in on time and under modest budget of $120

Vancouver Drip Irrigation Project: Resourceful Canadians produce big bang for small bucks

West Virginia Friends Wilderness Center

• West Virginia Wilderness Center LED Lighting Goals: – Increase Lighting level– Lower costs– Lower energy Usage

• Follow Ups:– Before & After photos in progress– Costs and energy usage measures to be taken over time

Direction & Pipeline 2012

• Non-U.S. applicants

• Increase in partnership projects

• New Application form

• New Grant Limit: $350

• Increase in project variation and scope

• We welcome more project applications!

How YOU can help:• CONTRIBUTE to mini-grant fund with a

fund-raiser or by direct contributions• Contributions of carbon offsets for trips may be

donated to QEW for the Mini-Grant Fund. • Plan an environmental project for your Quaker

meeting, church, or group. • Application resides: <www.quakerearthcare.org>. • Contact Bill Holcombe at bholc7@hotmail.com• Deadline: May 2, 2012.