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³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ developed an extensive partnership with Toyota, titled and funded through a 5-year $20 million grant.  A significant component is their Innovation Grants Program. This Program funds creative and ambitious projects to engage diverse audiences in efforts ultimately contributing to measurable conservation outcomes. One-year grants are offered for projects in urban, suburban, or rural areas that:

* Meet the conservation goals of TogetherGreen

* Engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action

* Inspire and use innovative approaches and technologies to engage people and achieve conservation   results

* Build the capacity of conservation professionals within the ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ network and beyond

We are very pleased to announce that four ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Chapters here in Florida were awarded these much sought-after grants:

Collier County ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Society - - $5,834.

St.Petersburg ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Society - - $9,081.

- Rain Garden Workshop - $5,036.

³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Society of the Everglades - - $15,000.

In addition to these Innovation Grants, we received $7,000 each for - two hosted by ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Centers, and two hosted by ³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Chapters:

- Wetland maintenance, lake front clean up, water quality monitoring.  Partnering with local African American community organizations.

- Revert old agricultural lands to native wetland/upland habitat; restore native plants and animals. Recruiting from churches/universities.

- Recycling; community eco-action projects, beach clean ups, mangrove swamp restoration, climate change workshops. Partnering with American Express.

- Remove invasive species, restore marsh habitat, and improve water quality at several preserves. Build native plant garden. Partnering with local schools.

These awards are a wonderful endorsement of the dedication and hard work going on here in Florida.