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HEP/NEIWPCC Stewardship Grants 2011 Proposal Form

NOTE: Please enter or paste as much text as needed in the gray areas. Pay close attention to the directions and tips provided, and read Section 13: Tips for a Successful Application in the RFP. Points are assigned to each section in parentheses, indicating the emphasis that will be placed on each aspect of the application by the review panel. If you have any questions of problems with this form, please contact Gabriela Munoz at gabriela@harborestuary.org or 212-637-3793. This form is available for download at www.neiwpcc.org/nynjhep.asp.

APPLICANT INFORMATION

1. Organization(s) Applying:

CEC Stuyvesant Cove d/b/a Solar One Type of organization(s):

Non profit 501 (c)(3) If you are a community group without 501(c)(3) status, who is your fiscal sponsor? See Section 5: Funds and Eligibility for more information.

2. Contact Information Main Contact:

Name Christopher J. Collins Title Executive Director Address 37 w 26th st. suite 209 New York NY 10010 Affiliation Phone 212-505-6050 Fax 212-253-2467 e-mail chris@solar1.org

Alternative Contact:

Name Esther Siskind Title Program Manager Address 37 w 26th st. suite 209 New York NY 10010 Affiliation Phone 212-505-6050 Fax 212-253-2467 e-mail esther@solar1.org

3. Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest. Please indicate if you are currently involved with HEP or NEIWPCC and in what capacity (e.g., participate in HEP’s Citizens Advisory Committee). NOTE: this is strictly for purposes of open disclosure; it will not preclude a potential applicant from submitting an application and will not affect the scoring of proposals:

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No Yes (Please explain):

PROJECT OVERVIEW

4. Project or Event Title:

Solar One’s Estuary Education and Family Days Programs 5. Project Main Topic: Please choose one or more (from RFP categories). Note: If you are applying for a Public Access Research project, please contact Kate Boicourt (habitat@harborestuary.org or 212-637-3869) before completing the application form, to inquire about the suitability of your project.

Public Access Projects Public Access Research Shoreline Stewardship Stewardship: education Stewardship: clean waterways

Other: 6. Amount Requested

From HEP: $

10,000 Match: $ 10,000 from the NYC EDC

7. Previous Funding (2 pts): Please indicate in which (if any) of the previous 5 years your organization has received funding from HEP and for which grant program (e.g., public access, stewardship, habitat restoration):

n/a

WORK PLAN

8. Project Summary: Provide a clear and concise summary of your project in 2 or 3 sentences:

Solar One’s Estuary Education and Family Day Programs invite participants to interact with their

natural environment in an urban setting, and to see the New York City parks and waterways as a

vital part of the ecosystem. We will host five Family Days between June 2011 and May 2012 in

Stuyvesant Cove Park focused on native species identification and natural habitat preservation,

as well as four months of Estuary Education programs in 2012 for NYC public schools. We will

invite families and students to learn the history and significance of the Park, the Estuary and the

importance of sustainable living.

9. Project Goals and Rationale (3 pts): Briefly answer the following: What is/are the overall goal/s of your project? (i.e., what are you ultimately trying to achieve?) Tip: Try to emphasize how your goals align with HEP/NEIWPCC goals.

Our Estuary Education and Family Day Programs are part of our overall mission to educate and

inspire New Yorkers to become environmentally conscious city-dwellers. Our innovative

educational programs increase environmental literacy, community involvement and public access

to waterfront space. Solar One has rebuilt the ecosystems in Stuyvesant Cove Park and the East

River into healthy and thriving environments, and we seek to continue to foster this growth by

involving and educating the community

Why is this project needed?

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In an area of housing developments and highways, this project is needed to connect urban

residents with their natural surroundings and to view the Park and Estuary as a crucial parts of

their urban environment.

10. Location and Community Connections (3 pts): In what communities/geographic area will you be working or holding your event? Please be specific. If the project will take place at a discrete location, please attach an annotated map (The map is optional for Estuary Education projects).

Our community events are held in Stuyvesant Cove Park, a 2-acre urban oasis nestled between

Manhattan’s busiest gas station, the FDR Drive, and the East River. Located between 18th

and

23rd

street, it is one of the only green areas in the neighborhood, and is maintained by Solar One

and community volunteers. At one point, this beautiful waterfront park was an abandoned

brownfield site; nothing more than a stretch of polluted concrete. In the late 1980’s, a

development company began to eye it as a location to build an apartment complex and local

citizens came together to stop the development. Throughout the 1990’s, local organizations

fought the development proposal until finally in 1997, the plans were overthrown. A new

proposal was approved to turn the space into a publicly-accessible waterfront park, complete

with a pedestrian esplanade, bike path, and a state-of-the-art environmental learning center.

Stuyvesant Cove Park was then built by the New York City Economic Development Corporation

(EDC), and CEC Stuyvesant Cove Park (Solar One) was created in order to maintain the Park

and carry out the public’s vision. Solar One then built a small prototype facility (called Solar 1)

in the park to serve as a community environmental learning center. Solar One and the NYC EDC

have entered into a public/private partnership, where in exchange for a favorable lease for Solar

1 in Stuyvesant Cove Park, Solar One will maintain the Park and oversee the public’s vision for

the space. Solar One and the Stuyvesant Town residents have fought hard over the years for

responsible use of this space, and by holding environmental educational programs in Stuyvesant

Cove Park, we seek to continue to use this space for the good of the community and the

environment.

(please find map attached)

Describe your organization’s connections to, or knowledge of, the targeted community and area.

Solar One has maintained the Park since it opened, and upholds a very strong connection to the

area’s residents, as we strive to protect and promote the public’s ideas for the Park. We work

closely with many volunteers and advocates from the surrounding neighborhood, and maintain a

positive and open dialogue with the community.

11. Partnerships (3 pts): If more than one organization is involved, clearly explain what role each will take on and how they will work together:

Solar One works closely with the Stuyvesant Cove Park Association to maintain the Park, and

the SCPA often provides volunteers for events. We have also partnered with the NYC

Department of Education to deliver a portion of our educational enrichment programs.

12. Project Description (3 pts): Describe all the specific actions you will carry out to conduct the project from start to finish (in a rational, direct, chronological manner) and (when appropriate) who will be responsible for performing them.

During the school year, Solar One invites public schools throughout the five boroughs to

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participate in our K-12 enrichment program. It is often difficult for New York City schools to

utilize one of our region’s greatest natural resources, the East River Estuary, and Solar One

provides an invaluable opportunity for these schools to gain access to the waterfront. Partnered

with the NYC Department of Education, we offer creative and exciting enrichment programs

which focus on hands-on learning combined with real world experience. Classroom learning

coupled with site visits to our solar-powered facility in Stuyvesant Cove Park, Solar 1, helps

students to grasp the concepts of sustainability in a meaningful way. Students will learn about the

science and history of Stuyvesant Cove Park and the East River while participating in water

quality testing and analysis, native plant studies, wildlife observations and oyster gardening.

During the Solar 1 site visit, students observe the physical and chemical properties of the East

River using the tools at our facility with help from their teachers and Solar One educators. In a

field study, students measure the quality of samples from the East River for dissolved oxygen,

nitrogen, salinity, turbidity and pH levels using LaMotte testing kits, and then compare their

results to a more detailed data set supplied by the Sonde monitoring station in the East River.

This procedure illustrates the accuracy of the students’ tests, and demonstrates that useful

scientific data can be obtained through a fun interactive activity.

Students also have the opportunity to learn from the oyster gardens that Solar One maintains

with the NY/NJ Baykeeper, The New York Harbor School and the River School. The oysters

serve as natural filtration systems and lower the amount of pollution in the Estuary. Through

observing the species and their positive effect on their environment, students learn how the

Estuary functions as a multi-layered ecosystem. Students are encouraged to come up with their

own ideas of ways to improve the health of the Estuary using what they have learned.

In the spring and summer, Solar One holds five Family Days in Stuyvesant Cove Park for NYC

residents. Family Days are part of a summer-long series of solar-powered outdoor art, music and

other cultural events hosted at Solar 1. Our events are free, open to all and attract participants

from all over the city. Family Days are opportunities for families to experience beauty and

ecological diversity in their urban environment. Families who may not have any other access to

public green space or waterfront areas have the unique opportunity to explore the Park’s natural

ecosystems and learn about their importance to our City. These outdoor activities bring families

together and create access to the waterfront, while implicitly promoting the ideals of

environmental stewardship and community participation.

Facilitated by Solar One educators and community volunteers, we encourage families to learn

about the native species and ecosystems in the Park and Estuary, with interactive outdoor events

like catch-and-release fishing, species identification, eco-arts, and making ice cream from

locally-grown fruit. Our Go Fish Day is one of the most popular activities, and most directly

linked to the Estuary. Solar One invites the NYS DEC’s I FISH NY program to the Park, and

they supply fishing equipment to teach children to bait hooks, cast, identify the fish, and remove

the fish from the hook and return it safely to the water. This unique experience helps the children

to see the Estuary as a lively and diverse ecosystem, and as an exciting part of their local

environment. Activities like these will hopefully inspire them to be stewards of the River, and

raise their awareness of human impact on our natural environment.

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In 2011 and 2012, Solar One aims to increase participation in these two successful programs by

expanding our curricula to include more students and families. Throughout the past few years,

the community has expressed great interest in these programs and with increased funding, we

will be able to cater to a larger audience. We hope that by educating more New Yorkers about

their natural surroundings, we will be able to encourage feelings of stewardship in residents to

ensure that these resources are cared for and appreciated, leading to a more sustainable future for

all of us.

a. Permits: list any permits, clearances, or insurance (if applicable) required to conduct the project and describe any other possible issues and how they will be addressed. (Note: If no permits or insurance are needed, write “N/A”).

n/a b. Monitoring and data collection: Does your project include monitoring, data collection (including surveys), or use of environmental data previously collected (by you or others)?

No Yes (if no, go to next question) If you answered yes, your project will likely require a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). Read carefully Section 10 and Appendix A of the RFP, and contact HEP/NEIWPCC for guidance before proceeding. In addition, answer the following questions: What type of data will you be collecting?

Water quality levels from the East River

How will you use the data (either collected by you or compiled from other sources)? Students will use the data they collect measured against real-time data to make conclusions about

the health of the river and estuary

Does your project require a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)? No Yes (make sure to account for QAPP preparation in your budget and schedule)

13. Education and Outreach (3 pts) (If applying for a public access research project,

skip this question): Who are your target participants and why?

Our target participants are all NYC residents, students and families, as we encourage everyone to

be involved with our city’s natural environment. We especially strive to provide educational

opportunities for community members who may otherwise have limited access to green space or

waterfront access. By encouraging these residents to form a connection with Stuyvesant Cove

Park, the East River and their many ecosystems, we hope to help them form a newfound sense of

stewardship towards these resources. If we can increase environmental awareness in local

residents, we can ensure a more sustainable future for our community. How will you recruit them/engage them in this project, event or activity? Please mention any efforts to reach beyond those that are normally served by your organization.

To engage participants we will announce our events through the Solar One email list of over

10,000 recipients and the Solar One website which logs over 8,000 visits per month. We will

also announce these events through collaborating organization’s media channels, as well as to

Park visitors and through our NYC public school contacts.

How many participants are you seeking to attract?

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We seek to attract at least 300 students in our next round of Estuary Education from March to

June 2012 and at least 100 people over the next five Family Days in 2011 and 2012.

Please explain how your project will foster environmental stewardship and/or education The Estuary Education and Family Day programs will provide opportunities for urban residents

to explore and interact with natural ecosystems in and around Stuyvesant Cove Park and the East

River tidal strait. By educating residents about the importance of their local environment, we will

help participants better understand and connect with their ecosystems and in doing so, encourage

their stewardship and appreciation of these natural resources.

What is the overall take-home message you would like to convey? (Address RFP Section 6, item 3)

The Estuary and Park are a vital part of our ecosystem, and stewardship of these natural

environments will lead to a more sustainable, healthy future for our community.

How will you convey this message? (e.g., implicitly by carrying out an activity; explicitly via a seminar, field trip, brochures, etc.)

We will convey this message through activities that highlight the flourishing species and

ecosystems in the Park and Estuary, and explicitly by encouraging participants to appreciate and

care for them.

14. Continuity and dissemination (3 pts): How will this project be useful for future activities by your organization? (e.g., do you plan to repeat it in the future? Will its results be used for other projects?)

Family Days and Estuary Learning are two very successful programs we have maintained for

years, and we plan to continue hosting them in the future. In order to improve upon them, we

will use the results from one year to help us better plan for the next.

How will you share project outcomes, materials, or models with other organizations within the Estuary?

We will share project outcomes and announcements on the Solar One website (solar1.org).

15. Project results and evaluation (3 pts): Outputs: List the material things to be produced by your project (e.g., a rain garden, 100 flyers, 2,000 feet of clean shoreline, mapped sites).

Our material outputs would be the test results from the 300 students that will participate in water

quality testing.

Outcomes: List the expected changes resulting from your project, whether in behavior, improvements/benefits to the Estuary ecosystem and community, and/or other benefits (e.g., decreased wildlife entanglement, increased rain water infiltration, informed community members, specific improved scientific understanding).

Numerous beneficial outcomes will result from our Estuary Education and Family Day

programs. Most importantly will be the sustainable mindset that we hope will be developed by

our program participants. The success of our courses will increase the number of participants in

our individual programs, as well as increase the number of visitors in Stuyvesant Cove Park. The

combination of heightened interest, access and understanding of the Park and Estuary will

hopefully result in increased support and stewardship of the natural environment. There will be

more residents who are invested in the health of the Estuary and Park, who may seek to volunteer

in the Park in the future, therefore improving the quality of life for both the residents and their

natural surroundings.

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Which of the changes listed above will you be able to measure (e.g., number of participants engaged, amount of debris collected at a cleanup event, number of visitors to a public access site)?

We will be able to measure the number of park visitors and program participants.

How will you evaluate the success of the project once it is completed? (Please describe your evaluation plan in detail). Tip: in keep in mind your project goals, expected outcomes and outputs, and how you will define success.

Success in our Family Days and Estuary Education programs can most easily be evaluated by

increased participation. This represents an increase in interest and stewardship of these natural

resources, which will now flourish under the watch of invested local citizens.

16. Expertise and experience (3 pts): Briefly describe the mission of your organization (and any partners, if applicable) and past experience with similar projects.

Solar One, incorporated in 2004, is a 501(c)(3) not-for profit organization created to be New

York City's first Green Energy, Arts, and Education Center. Solar One's mission is to empower

people with the knowledge and resources to unleash and build sustainability in their

communities. From thin film solar to cellulosic ethanol to efficient buildings, we are dedicated to

developing innovative, complete and effective ways to encourage people to re-examine, through

critical thinking and scientifically proven information, the ways we live and work in order to

reduce our impact on the environment. We seek to set the standards on how to make our urban

environment -- specifically New York City -- more sustainable; catalyze the movement to reduce

carbon emissions; educate the public about innovative solutions to our environmental challenges;

connect people to all the good work being done about current energy, environmental and

sustainability issues; and to do all of this in an engaging, intellectually honest, meaningful and

entertaining way that leaves people inspired and empowered, facilitating community-wide

change.

Solar One has a long history of success with our education and community event programs.

Schools and non profits throughout the city have continued to recognize our innovate approach

to learning, and the demand for our courses has risen significantly in the past year. In 2010, our

numerous public events drew in over 3,000 attendees, and our education enrichment programs

reached over 6,500 students in all five boroughs, more than tripling the numbers of students

involved last year, and raising our NYC public school partnerships from 35 to 77. Our Education

program is now included in the newly updated plaNYC agenda. Over the past few years, Solar

One has set the standard in seamlessly integrating a sustainable outlook into New York’s

educational programs and community mindset.

Provide a short bio (one paragraph) for each team member summarizing any relevant skills/qualifications and previous experience with similar projects.

Chris Collins, Executive Director - A graduate of Holy Cross College and Albany Law School,

Chris worked for 20 years as a litigator in both New York and California. He specialized in

complex commercial litigation, environmental litigation, civil rights, securities, elder abuse and

many other areas of the law. Born and raised in the NYC area, Chris moved to San Francisco in

1988 and returned to New York in 2004 to take the position of Executive Director at Solar One

and has been with the organization for the past seven years.

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Daisy Hoyt, Park Manager - Daisy is from a small town upstate, where she grew up actively

interacting with her natural surroundings. She graduated in 2005 from Clark University where

she studied Studio Art and History. Her horticulture experience includes work at The New York

State Agricultural Experiment Station, and in various capacities in the New York City area,

including at Stuyvesant Cove Park prior to becoming Park Manager. Daisy is dedicated to

oversee the Park’s success as a community resource and an educational asset to Solar One.

Dina Elkan, Events and Marketing Coordinator - Dina studied music at the High School of

Performing Arts and comparative literature, astronomy, art history and political organizing at

Barnard College. Dina manages all arts and events program, works with Daisy to coordinate

Family Days, and manages the website and Solar One's weekly eNewsletter.

Alex Smith, Educator - In May 2010, Alex completed his degree in Environmental Studies at The

New School for Liberal Arts in New York City. After interning at Solar One during the summer

of 2009, Alex started working part-time in the Estuary Enrichment Program while finishing his

undergrad degree. In September 2010, Alex came on full time at Solar 1, continuing his work as

an environmental educator.

If you are applying in partnership with another organization (preferred if your organization has limited connection to the area of interest), please explain the role of the partnering organization in the process.

n/a 17. Project Schedule (3 pts): Include a complete, draft project timeline describing when different tasks will be performed and by whom.

Activity and responsible person/entity Time Period Estuary Education Program, Solar One Educators March – June 2012 Family Days, Solar One and partners Pollinators & Local Food Day Eco-Art in the Park Creatures Day Go Fish Day Wildflower Week

June 2011 – May 2012 June 25, 2011 July 16, 2011 August 20, 2011 September 2011 May 2012

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18. Project Budget (3 pts): Please provide an itemized budget in a separate page using the table provided on the last page of this form. The budget should include total project cost, the amount requested from HEP, and costs covered by other sources of funding (e.g., other grants, donated materials, in-kind services, and volunteer labor). If the project involves multiple partners, please clearly indicate which portions of the budget are for which organization. In addition, please answer the following: If your project is part of an ongoing program by your organization, please make clear how HEP funds will be used to implement a new of different initiative above and beyond existing efforts.

If your project covers more than one topic, please indicate the amount requested for each topic (note: this will facilitate making a decision to partially fund a proposal, if needed)

19. Attachments (optional): You may include other relevant information or materials only if directly related to your project. Please use the space provided below, or attach documents such as pictures, letters of support, and press articles (all attachments, except for letters of support do count towards the page limit).

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC PROJECT INFORMATION

Please answer the questions pertaining to your category of project only. Note that for reviewing purposes, your answers to these questions are considered part of your “project description,” and will be part of that score. Stewardship, clean waterways projects: Is your project required by a state permit (New Jersey Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NJPDES] or New York State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [SPDES])?

No Yes (Warning: if yes, your project is NOT eligible for funding under this

program) Please describe (if not already in the project Work Plan), how you will select the site, design and install the chosen practice, or work with existing programs (e.g. Rutgers Water Extension Program) to achieve your goals.

Describe provisions for the short-and long-term maintenance/management/protection of the project

Please indicate whether you have already conducted a site assessment and if you have compiled other relevant documentation associated with the project design (e.g., conceptual plan, plant lists, etc.) Please attach any relevant documentation.

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If your project includes features that are visible by passersby, please indicate (if appropriate) any plans to install educational signage.

Public Access Projects, New Public Access Site Development projects, and Stewardship: clean waterways projects: What are the current uses of the site and how will they be affected by your project?

Stewardship: Education Projects Briefly describe what topics will be covered by your project.

Water quality testing and analysis, history of the Estuary, native species studies and oyster gardening Please list any existing curricula or materials you plan on using or adapting.

We plan on using our existing Estuary Education program and activities If you plan to develop new curriculum, clearly explain why this is needed (instead of using or adapting existing curricula or materials), and make sure to provide information concerning your professional merit for this task in question 16.

n/a

Public Access Research: New Site Development Please attach a letter of support from the Public landowner of the site to be developed.

Public Access Research: Research addressing gaps Please describe the methods that will be used to conduct the research (if you have not already).

Public Access Projects If the project is an event or activity, what is the duration, estimated date, and will there be any cost to participants?

Our Estuary Education Programs are held March – June and five Family Days are held May –

September. Both programs are free.

How will you publicize the project? We will announce our events on the Solar One email list of over 10,000 recipients and the Solar

One website which logs over 8,000 visits per month. We will also announce these events through

collaborating organization’s media channels.

Can the event/activity be reached by public transportation? Yes, the 6 train to 23

rd st. and the M23 bus to Avenue C or take the L to 1

st ave.

How does the activity raise awareness of Public Access to the Harbor Estuary? Our events are held at Stuyvesant Cove Park, a public space located on the East River, providing

participants with access to the waterfront that they may not have realized was accessible to them,

as well as educating them about the history and science of these valuable natural spaces.

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* Please list the source(s) of these funds and if they are in-hand, expected, or will be sought: Solar One, out of pocket

BUDGET CATEGORY (Add/remove itemizing lines below major categories as necessary, but please do NOT delete major categories)

FUNDS REQUESTED FROM HEP

FUNDS FROM OTHER SOURCES*

TOTAL BUDGET

A. PERSONNEL (list individual staff member, task, and hours or % time) TOTAL:

$ 5,400 $ 3,600 $ 9,000

Dina Elkan, Event Planning, 5% $ 1,900 $ 100 $ 2,000 Alex Smith, Education, 10% $ 3,500 $ $ 3,500 Daisy Hoyt, Event Planning and Park Coordinating 10% $ $ 3,500 $ 3,500 $ $ $ $ $ $ B. FRINGE BENEFITS 32% of total personnel costs (e.g., 10% of total personnel costs) TOTAL: TOTAL:

$ 1,728 $ 1,152 $ 2,880

C. TRAVEL (estimate number/purpose of trips below) TOTAL:

$ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

D. EQUIPMENT (itemize below) TOTAL: $ 1,000 $ $ 1,000

Water Quality Testing Materials $ 1,000 $ $ 1,000 $ $ $ $ $ $

E. SUPPLIES (itemize below) TOTAL: $ 1,000 $ $ 1,000

Protective supplies for water testing $ 250 $ $ 250 Print outs for education workshops $ 250 $ $ 250 Family Day event supplies $ 500 $ $ 500 $ $ $

F. CONTRACTS (identify & itemize below) TOTAL: $ $ 500 $ 500

Petting zoo $ $ 250 $ 250 Beekeeper $ $ 250 $ 250

G. OTHER (identify & itemize below) TOTAL: $ $ $

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

H. TOTAL DIRECT COSTS (SUM OF A-G) $ 9,128 $ 5252 $ 14,380

I. INDIRECT COSTS 10% of total direct costs (e.g., 10% of total direct costs) TOTAL:

$ 912.80 $ 525.20 $ 1438

J. TOTAL PROJECT COST (SUM OF H+I) $ 1,040.80 $ 5,777.20 $ 15,818

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CHECKLIST:

Complete and attach this checklist (it does not count towards the page limit) Complete and attach Proposal Form (including budget and project schedule) Attach annotated map, if applicable Attach site plans, if applicable Letters of support, if applicable Other attachments directly related to the project Application package (all of the above except checklist, letters of support, and site plans) does not exceed 15 pages including all instructions in application form.

If project requires a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP), it is contemplated in the budget and timeline

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Map of Solar One