| National Estuaries Days . . . an annual celebration of the majestic places where rivers meet the sea.
Join us to learn more about estuaries the fun way.
Thank you to the many wonderful people who have made Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program’s National Estuaries Days celebrations such great successes. Since 2000, CHNEP has been pleased to offer wading trips, guided walks, paddling programs, boat tours and walks as part of our partners’ celebrations of our estuaries. The official National Estuary Day is the last Saturday in September. In 2009, this is Saturday, September 26 and in 2010, it will be September 25.
As of 2009, recognition that CHNEP sponsors events throughout the year, we have made “every day estuary day.”
Since 2002, CHNEP has been sponsoring your events throughout the year by awarding micro-grants. CHNEP may be able to provide up to $250 as a micro-grant if you'd like to organize an event that is open to the public but need some assistance in covering expenses. To apply, complete the online form found at www.CHNEP.org. All requests are promptly reviewed but funding support is not guaranteed. CHNEP will consider requests for great amounts if adequate justification is provided. (Micro-grants are also available for projects other than events as long as they help support the CHNEP plan to protect the environment from Venice to Bonita Springs to Winter Haven.) Select events will be featured in upcoming issues of Harbor Happenings (see below) and posted on the website at www.CHNEP.org. If you’d like CHNEP support and would like to be featured in an issue of Harbor Happenings, please be sure to consider the production schedule.
The CHNEP is exploring possibilities of holding a one-day program as part of National Estuaries Days. In addition we hope commercial operations and centers that charge admission will offer discounted admissions. With past celebrations, Tarpon Bay Explorers and Mote Marine Laboratory have discounted their trips and admission by 50 percent. Any special offers will be included in the fall issue of Harbor Happenings and posted on the website at www.CHNEP.org.
Please contact me if you have any questions. These have been really fantastic celebrations of our estuaries and their watersheds. Let's make this year-round celebration of our estuaries even better!
Maran Brainard Hilgendorf, Communications Manager mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org, Phone ext 240
Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program 1926 Victoria Ave, Fort Myers FL 33901-3414 239/338-2556, Toll-free 866/835-5785, Fax 239/338-2560 Working together to protect the natural environment from Venice to Bonita Springs to Winter Haven |