6 Puerto Rico Projects Supported Through Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, November 14, 2001 – Ford announced today the recipients of the island's first edition of its Conservation and Environmental Grants. Six local projects selected by an independent jury of Puerto Rican experts will share $40,000 in financial support, to further their efforts in the environmental and cultural heritage arenas.
More than 60 entries were submitted by applicants in the inaugural year of the local program. The Ford Grants seek to recognize worthy, on-going small-scale projects in the fields of environmental and cultural preservation, and to help in their completion, primarily in order to encourage the multiplication of similar grassroots efforts by other non-profit, conservation-minded individuals and groups.
Hal Dewsnap, Puerto Rico district manager for Ford operations, said: "We hope that by publicizing and supporting deserving initiatives by concerned activists, we will encourage them to realize their projects." He added: "We firmly believe that when it comes to the preservation of our common natural and cultural heritage, everybody's efforts make a difference, and there's no such thing as a small contribution."
The independent judging panel of the 2001 Ford Grants selected the winners in accordance with a set of criteria that valued the applicants' commitment to maximizing available resources, their reputation for meeting objectives, a demonstrated ability to execute programs as planned, and their projects' potential for reproduction. An official ceremony for presentation of the grants is scheduled for December 7th.
"Our experience of the Ford Grants in other markets tells us that by recognizing these individuals and groups publicly, and by increasing awareness of their efforts, others will feel encouraged to follow suit," added Dewsnap. "These projects show that ordinary people can make extraordinary contributions, and a positive difference in their communities."
This year's grant winners include:
1. Grupo Cívico Ambiental, awarded $9,350 for their Jardín de los Siemprevivos project. The group adopted an abandoned lot in Caguas and transformed it into a memorial garden, planting native trees in the name of citizens whose lives significantly impacted the Puerto Rican society. The small-scale project has been copied on a larger-scale by other institutions.
2. Puerto Rican Eco-Organic Agriculture Organization, awarded $9,350 for their Model Ecological Farms Environmental School. The project looks to establish schools in farms across the island's mountainous region, to promote and provide educational training in organic and ecologically sound farming practices.
3. Rabanales' Association of Small Farmers, awarded $6,650 for their Coalition for the Protection, Restoration and Sustainable Development of Barrio Rabanales Basin. The coalition seeks to educate the community on the importance of the area and prevent the drainage of the basin and the depletion of the surrounding green areas. The Rabanal basin is made up of 5,600 acres and houses several native birds that are currently in the endangered species list. The basin is one of the major providers of Rio La Plata.
4. Lieschen Montaner Cordero, will receive $6,650 for the reproduction and distribution of her "Santiago" video production. Montaner is responsible for the creation of a historical and educational documentary that sheds light on the festivities in honor of the patron saint of the town of Loiza. The video explores the origin, meaning and importance of these celebrations and their relation to local religion, music, arts and other. It is intended for use in schools, museums and other public institutions.
5. Escuela Federico Degetau II in Aibonito will receive $4,000 for their "Cooperating with the Environment" project. Developed by a group of 30 talented 6th grade students and their social studies teacher, the project seeks to train students as "environmental ambassadors". In part, the students will research the environmental needs of their surrounding neighborhoods and share their knowledge and resources with community members according to their particular needs. 6. Alumnos Pro Conservación Del Ambiente of Colegio De La Salle in Añasco will receive $4,000 for the "Adoption of El Salto de La Encantada" project. A group of students and their teacher have "adopted" this body of water that feeds the Rio Grande de Añasco, a major supplier of water for the island's western region. The group seeks to expand their grassroots clean up initiatives and their efforts to promote environmental conscience at a community level.
The grants recipients will be required to submit quarterly reports outlining the successful application of the funds, as a condition to be considered for further Ford Grants in future years.
The Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants, one of the largest programs of its kind in the world, seeks to recognize and encourage people actively involved in non-profit initiatives to preserve their local environment, cultural heritage and natural resources.
The Ford Grants evolved from the Henry Ford European Conservation Awards, an initiative that has seen the participation of more than 15,000 groups and individuals across 34 European countries, since its debut in Great Britain 18 years ago. Since their inception in 2000, the Grants have been extended to countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.
