Applications Open for 2012 TogetherGreen Fellowships and Innovation Grants

Audubon & Toyota Seek to Fund Promising Conservation Leaders & Community-Based Projects

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TogetherGreen, a conservation alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota, is now accepting applications for its 2012 class of Fellows and Innovation Grantees. The goals of the initiative are to foster conservation leadership, achieve conservation results, forge partnerships in communities, and engage millions of Americans in conservation action.

• Do you have a conservation idea that uses innovative approaches and technologies?
• Have you conceived of a unique way to conserve or restore habitat and protect species? Improve water quality or quantity? Reduce the threat of global warming?
• Are you interested in engaging a new and diverse audience in conservation action?

If so, consider applying to these two programs to support your people-powered conservation solutions:

1. TogetherGreen Conservation Fellowships invest in individuals who are committed to empowering others and to creating positive environmental change in their communities and organizations. Fellows receive a $10,000 grant to conduct a 12-month conservation action project in their community, as well as specialized training and support to help shape and implement their projects. They also become part of a dynamic alumni network of conservation professionals from across the country.
2. TogetherGreen Innovation Grants annually provide essential funding that enables Audubon groups and others to inspire, equip, and support activities that engage new and diverse audiences in conservation action and create healthier communities. A minimum of 40 projects will receive funding, totaling more than $1 million of support—with grants ranging from $5,000-$80,000. Grants will be reviewed by an expert advisory panel, and the average grant awarded will be around $25,000.

Since 2008, TogetherGreen-funded projects have engaged more than 200,000 individuals in conservation in all 50 states. The first three classes of Fellows and Grantees have accomplished inspiring results, recruiting thousands of volunteers to help make environmental improvements in their communities, such as planting over 110,000 native plants and trees, engaging more than 100,000 individuals in environmental education, and improving nearly 10,000 acres through conservation action.

"TogetherGreen offers people a chance to change lives and communities. How cool is that?" said David Yarnold, National Audubon Society President. "If you have an idea that will engage a community to protect the environment, we want to hear it. When communities, and individuals, are touched by TogetherGreen – they become better places to live."

Candidates for the TogetherGreen Fellows program must have at least six years experience in some aspect of the environment, a passion for conservation, the desire to learn and grow, and an interest and ability to reach diverse and previously underrepresented audiences.

An advisory committee composed of conservation professionals and experts in environmental education, communications, outreach, and conservation planning assist with the awards selection. To learn more about TogetherGreen's advisory board, visit http://www.togethergreen.org/About/advisoryboard.aspx

If you or someone you know has a creative environmental project and would like to apply for a TogetherGreen Fellowship or Innovation Grant, visit www.togethergreen.org/fellows and www.togethergreen.org/Grants/GrantsGuidelines.aspx respectively. The site features application guidelines, selection criteria, eligibility, benefits, and online applications for both programs.

The deadline to apply for a TogetherGreen Fellowship is 11:59 p.m. PST on March 5, 2012; for an Innovation Grant the deadline is 11:59 p.m. PDT on April 2, 2012.  Decisions will be announced in May 2012 for Fellows and June 2012 for Grants.

If you require additional information about applying for TogetherGreen funding, please contact Florence Miller at [email protected].

About TogetherGreen
Audubon and Toyota launched the five-year TogetherGreen initiative in 2008 to build the promise of a greener, healthier future through innovation, leadership and volunteerism. For more information, visit www.togethergreen.org.

About Audubon
Now in its second century, Audubon connects people with birds, nature and the environment that supports us all. Our national network of community-based nature centers, chapters, scientific, education, and advocacy programs engages millions of people from all walks of life in conservation action to protect and restore the natural world. Visit Audubon online at www.audubon.org.   

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants.Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed over half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs in the U.S.  

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.

SOURCE Audubon