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[From Winter 2006 - 2007]
In early November, at the beginning of each new
fiscal year, the CNHA reviews and evaluates its prior year's operations and
establishes the amount of funding available for grants to the Chincoteague and
Eastern Shore refuges. Each refuge submits a "wish list" of items and projects
related to their interpretive and educational mission, for which appropriated
funds are insufficient or unavailable. Refuge management reviews each item on
their "wish list" with the CNHA Board of Directors, who determines its merit and
if the item is within CNHA's charter to support.
At its recent meeting on November 4, the CNHA Board approved an FY'07 allocation
for "wish list" grants totaling $97,700. Included in the items for which funding
was approved were the following:
- Volunteer Program Support - Volunteers (which includes the entire CNHA Board)
are essential to the functioning of both refuges. This item included funding for
uniforms, awards and recognition events for volunteers, interns, eco interns and
"workampers".
- Outreach & Environmental Education - The two counties on the Eastern Shore are
among the poorest in the state of Virginia. Funds in this category support field
trips to the refuges by county school children.
- "Children in the Woods" initiative - In an effort to meet the challenge
presented in the book "Last Child in the Woods", CNWR will host pilot 5-day
camps in 2007 to allow children to experience the recreational opportunities
found on refuges. CNHA will provide the seed money, funding the materials and
supplies for this educational initiative.
- "Sense of Wonder" Play - In celebration of the 100th anniversary of her birth,
presentation of the inspirational play about the life of Rachel Carson will be
funded by the CNHA.
- Hunting and Fishing Kiosks - CNHA will provide funding to construct several
kiosks that will display interpretive and regulatory information for visitors
regarding harvesting of a renewable resource in an ecologically responsible
manner.
- Intern Housing - Reduced budgets and staffing have increased the the need for
interns and temporary, seasonal employees. However, refuge housing is very
limited. CNHA is providing funding for temporary housing until a more permanent
solution is implemented.
- Beach Road Bike Trail - Funding has been
carried over from FY'06 to continue work on the CNWR bike trail, pending
recommendations on resolution of erosion issues.
- Special Events - CNHA annually provides funding for special events such as
Earth Day, International Migratory Bird Celebration, National Wildlife Refuge
Week, National Fishing and Boating Celebration, etc.
- Fish & Crab Guide - A summer law enforcement
intern developed a guide to help visitors with game fish identification and
state regulation compliance. CNHA will fund production of a laminated guide.
CNHA funding also has a multiplier effect, since many of these items are
eligible for Challenge Cost Share grants from other organizations that support
wildlife refuges and programs.
Frank V. Moore, CNHA Treasurer
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