Local groups among Dodge grant recipients
Foundation’s grants for environmental purpose target sprawl issue

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation has exhibited a deepening focus on land-use and natural resource sustainability issues, awarding grants to 74 organizations in New Jersey and the Northeast.

According to Robert Perry, who directs the foundation’s environmental grant making, the awards will "help a broad front of organizations across the state that work to promote smart growth," specifically efforts that reinvigorate cities by encouraging new development that is "compact, walkable and transit-oriented, and preserves the best of our landscape for future generations."

The New Jersey offices of the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land each received $250,000 in 2002, the second of three payments as part of special Strategic Partnership grants awarded in 2001.

The foundation also assisted groups that work to protect natural resources: air, water, forests and wildlife. Assistance went to several groups that inform the public about environmental issues and solutions, as well as to a few whose vision and research are creating the knowledge and leadership that will help shape a sustainable future.

Grant recipients include:

• American Littoral Society, Highlands, $60,000 to advance coastal protection through five campaigns: strengthening strategic direction and planning of coastal management; reforming coastal land use governance; creating sanctuaries; restoring habitats; and protecting and promoting public access.

• Clean Ocean Action, Highlands, $75,000 to support the ongoing, comprehensive grass-roots campaign for a "Clean Ocean Zone" to ensure the permanent protection of the marine ecosystem off the Jersey shore.

• Clean Water Fund, Belmar, $75,000 to advance anti-sprawl and smart growth practices in New Jersey as well as to expand the "preventing harm" initiative and Safe School/Safe Home program.

• Clean Water Fund, Belmar, $50,000 to support a "Stop the Sprawl" media campaign in New Jersey aimed at securing long-term improvement to water quality, land use and overall quality of life by targeting opinion leaders and those who are in daily contact with policy-makers.

• Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey, Trenton, $50,000 for the Citizen Scientist Program which engages volunteers in identifying rare wildlife and providing data for Landscape Project maps.

• Delaware and Raritan Greenway, Princeton, $75,000 for general operating support to foster ongoing land preservation activities.

• Eastern Environmental Law Center, Newark, $200,000 for general operating support of the center’s legal representation of the state’s environmental community.

• Environmental Defense, New York, $175,000 for support for developing solutions to benefit the region’s ecology and economy.

• Garden State EnviroNet, Inc., Boonton, $25,000 to support GSE’s Internet-based environmental news and information services about New Jersey environmental issues.

• Natural Resources Defense Council, New York, $150,000 to support NRDC’s extensive work in New Jersey.

• New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Far Hills, $225,000 to support the Garden State Greenways Initiative, a project that seeks to protect and steward connected forest, wetland and fields.

• New Jersey Policy Perspective, Trenton, $25,000 for research and budget analysis to promote vigorous, public debate.

• New Jersey Public Interest Research Group, Trenton, $50,000 to support NJPIRG’s Clean Air and Clean Water programs that promote policies and practices that enhance air and water quality.

• New Jersey Work Environment Council, Lawrenceville, $50,000 to continue to inform the public about ways to reduce air toxins; advocate on behalf of safe and healthy schools; organize local worker demonstration projects; provide technical resources regarding toxic hazards; and advocate for environmental justice.

• NY/NJ Baykeeper, Highlands, $70,000 to support efforts which include the Public Trust Campaign and restoration of the ecological integrity of the Hudson Raritan estuary.

• Preservation New Jersey, Trenton, $25,000 for the Heritage Partnership project, which promotes planning for and management of historic sites on publicly preserved land.

• Tri-State Transportation Campaign, New York, $100,000 to support the Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s efforts to encourage changes in transportation investment and policy in New Jersey.

• Trust for Public Land, New York, $250,000, for general support of the land conservation work by the New Jersey Field Office.