The Nature in the City (NIC) program wants to partner with you to make a difference for nature in your neighborhood! Projects should benefit wildlife habitat, give residents of Fort Collins easy access to nature, or make neighborhood landscapes more diverse. NIC’s 2018 Community Project Grants can support your idea no matter where you are in the process – planning, design, or implementation. Projects don’t have to be big to be impactful. Small, creative, and unique projects are encouraged to apply. There is up to $100,000 available for 2018 projects. For more information, examples of funded projects, and to submit your project, go to www.fcgov.com/natureinthecity. Applications are due Monday, October 2.
For the 2018 funding cycle, there are three grant categories:
- Mini- Grant– up to $1,000 – Small projects to incorporate nature into small or challenging spaces.
- Planning Grant – up to $5,000 – Design assistance to turn your idea into landscape or construction plans.
- Implementation Grant – up to $25,000 – “Shovel-ready” projects that can be completed in 2018.
The most competitive projects have matching funds or labor, include volunteers, are supported by the neighborhood, and make the greatest local impact in connecting people and wildlife to nature. Funds will be awarded by January 2018.
The vision of Nature in the City is a connected open space network accessible to the entire community that provides a variety of experiences and functional habitat for people, plants and wildlife.
Online applications may be submitted at http://www.fcgov.com/natureinthecity until October 2.