The South Dakota Discovery Center, sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources through funding provided by the US EPA Region 8, requests proposals for outreach and education projects that engage adult and community audiences in watershed protection and restoration.
Project requests up to $10,000 are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly. Projects cannot begin until they are approved and a contract is signed so a project start date of two months after submission is suggested. All projects must conclude by June 1, 2026.
The 319 Information and Education Project (IEP) was established in 2004 with a grant to the South Dakota Discovery Center (SD Discovery Center) as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 319 Nonpoint Source (EPA 319) grant program. The goal of the IEP is to implement a comprehensive statewide effort to promote and facilitate public understanding of watersheds and related water quality management issues in an effort to contribute to the protection, restoration and maintenance of surface water and watersheds.
The IEP is guided by the South Dakota Nonpoint Source Information and Education strategy adopted by the Nonpoint Source Task Force on September 21, 2000. Allocation of IEP funds and major policy actions are directed by the Nonpoint Source Task Force Information and Education Sub-Committee (Sub-Committee) with day-to-day management of the IEP handled by staff of the SD Discovery Center.
Execution of IEP goals is to be achieved, in part, through a competitive grant process. Grant funds are available to 501(c)3 organizations, local governments, units of state government other than the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and educational institutions. Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible.
The goal of the 319 program is to protect and restore the beneficial uses of the state’s surface and ground water resources by controlling nonpoint source pollution. The 319 program takes a predominantly non-regulatory approach, relying upon voluntary implementation of those practices which reduce, mitigate or prevent nonpoint source pollution.
A non-regulatory approach requires an informed and educated citizenry that is willing and able to support and implement nonpoint source pollution reduction practices and initiatives. Information and education projects develop stakeholder and citizen awareness of watersheds, non-point source pollution causes, its impacts, and methods of prevention through a variety of methods.
The expected results of a project are more than what the project sponsor does. Expected results include the changed state of the target audience or the watershed.
Outcomes are the measurable results expected from a project. They differ from an output in that an output describes the activity while the outcome describes what happens because of that activity. For example, an output is a workshop. The outcome or expected result is increased understanding of a topic. Whether or not the outcome was achieved is measured by a pre-post test or by asking participants what they learned.
Results can be short, medium or long term. The long term outcome of the Information and Education Project (IEP) is an educated and involved citizenry that values and acts for clean water. The medium term outcome is more nonpoint source pollution prevention best management practices (BMPs) in place. The short term outcome is more citizen awareness of watersheds and participation in nonpoint source pollution prevention practices.
All projects are intended to support this short term outcome of the Information and Education Project.
Applicants must select one of the outcomes that support the Information and Education Project’s (IEP) outcomes.
Increased awareness and/or knowledge of watersheds, watershed health, protection, functioning, and benefits
Increased awareness of non-point source pollution, prevention, causes, effects and management.
Increased awareness of and participation in non-point source best management practices.
Grants will be made available to qualifying groups with projects that will achieve these results.
Outcome 1. Increased awareness and/or knowledge of watersheds, watershed health, protection, functioning, and benefits.
This outcome is focused on engaging the audience in understanding, connecting to or experiencing their watershed. These projects are often targeted to homeowners, community members, youth or families.
Sample activities: education events or programs, interpretive signage, community information campaigns
Outcome 2. Increased awareness or understanding of non-point source pollution causes, effects and management.
This outcome is specific to non-point source pollution and often has a technical aspect. Outreach projects are usually targeted to informed citizens, stakeholders, decision makers and natural resource professionals. Nonpoint source education for students is also eligible.
Sample activities: conferences and charrettes, bmp audits.
Outcome 3. Increased awareness of and participation in NPS best management practices.
This outcome requires directly supporting community member participation in actions and activities that protect the watershed.
Sample activities: trash pick ups, rain barrel workshops, rain garden installations
The goal of the IEP is to reach a broad cross section of South Dakota’s population. While agricultural producers and other stakeholders are the backbone audience of the 319 projects, a wider scope of outreach is sought for mini-grant and microgrant funded projects. Specifically, projects which engage or reach adults and the community are encouraged.
All projects must provide in kind or cash match. Project funding can be no more than 60% of total project costs. To calculate request/match use this formula. Amount Requested x 0.666=MATCH REQUIRED. For example, if you are requesting $5000, the formula would be $5000 x 0.666=$3,330.00. The project sponsor would have to document $3330 in match.
Match can consist of employee time, travel, donations, cash contributions towards the project, or unrecovered indirect expenses.
Match should not come from other federal dollars. Cash or in kind contributions from local, state, business or community agencies and organizations are strongly preferred.
Indirect expenses are figured at 10% of the amount request unless the project sponsor has an alternative negotiated rate e.g. a state university. If a project requests $5,000, $500 of the match can be considered indirect expenses.
Proposals may request up to $10,000.
The 319 Information and Education project can only fund the following types of expenses:
Salary, wages and stipends
Travel in state at in state rates
Supplies or materials required to carry out the project (valued at less than $1,000 unit price).
Media and advertising
Software, apps or programs
Resources with a clear educational purpose
The 319 Information and Education Project cannot fund the following
Food
Non-educational consumables
Out of state travel or travel other than state rates
Equipment valued at more than $1,000 unit price or property.
Proposals will be reviewed by the project administrator for completeness. Any project missing one of the required elements described in the application format will be ineligible for further consideration. Proposals that are considered complete will be evaluated by the Sub-Committee according to the following guidelines.
Must support the IEP priorities and outcomes
Target audience is consistent with IEP strategy.
Does not duplicate existing programs.
Sponsor has ability to complete the project.
Evaluation tools are identified.
Costs and in-kind match are reasonable for the project scope.
2. In addition to understanding the guidelines listed above, applicants should be aware of the following.
Start/End Dates. Projects will start after a signed contract is received.
Reporting. All projects will be required to submit a final report. The format for the report will be included in the final contract between the SD Discovery Center and project sponsor. Reports are typically due 30 days after the project’s end date. The contract will specify what content should be included in the report.
Reimbursements/Invoicing. Projects will be funded on a reimbursement basis. The final reimbursement request is typically due within 30 days after the project’s end date.
Change in project status. One of the realities of working in a grant based system is that the proposal you develop in October may have to be reworked in March. Partners step back, new partners step forward, products and venues become available or unavailable. All projects will be required to keep the goal of their original proposal and as many of the outcomes and products as possible. Project coordinators of funded proposals should stay in contact with the IEP administrator and advise of any project changes in a timely manner.
Outcomes and Evaluation. All projects must have an evaluation component. Please contact the I&E project administrator if you have any questions. How these questions are answered has a significant bearing on the funding of the project.
319 Information and Education Coordinator:
Anne Lewis
annelewis@sd-discovery.org
805 W Sioux Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605)224-8295