CM-2021-206 - 7/23/2021,'fiance
Water
Efficiency
The Alliance for Water Efficiency
2021 Learning Landscapes Grant
Program
This document contains information about the Alliance for Water Efficiency's (AWE) 2021 Learning
Landscapes grant program and contains the application form that can be filled out and submitted via
email.
Grant Application Notes:
• It is recommended that answers are thorough yet concise.
• Please fill out the application and email it, and any attachments, to info@a4we.org with
"Learning Landscapes 2021 Application Submittal" in the subject line.
• Email questions to info@a4we.org with "Learning Landscapes Application" in the subject line.
• All applicants will receive a confirmation email.
The Alliance for Water Efficiency is a stakeholder -based nonprofit organization dedicated to the efficient
and sustainable use of water. For more information visit www.a4we,ore.
AWE Learning Landscapes Grants are made possible by generous funding provided by The Scotts
Miracle-Gro Foundation.
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ScottsMirade-Gra
10 11 N b A T I ON
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Alliance for Water Efficiency Learning Landscapes: Grant information
Background
AWE offers this grant program to support building or improving educational outdoor spaces that allow
school -age children to experience hands-on, applied learning about the water our landscapes consume.
Achieving a sustainable water future depends on a growing awareness of the value of water resources
and the need to use water more efficiently in residential landscapes. Building a water ethic must begin
early, as today's students will become tomorrow's water customers. Engaging children in water
stewardship aligns with AWE's mission to promote efficient and sustainable water use.
Who Can Apply
Eligible projects include outdoor landscapes at schools, on public/government property, at botanical
gardens, and other community locations as appropriate. Individuals and for -profit businesses are
not eligible for this grant. Eligible projects will serve students in grades 3-8.
Grant Amount
The grant amount is $5,000. AWE will disburse $3,500 to grantees upon selection and signing of the
grant agreement, and $1,500 upon project completion.
Timeline
The application period closes on July 30, 2021. Final grant reports will be due June 30, 2022.
Project Requirements
• Funded projects must include elements of efficient water management in their landscape. This
requirement is intentionally flexible to give grantees room to be creative and to adapt these
elements to local conditions. That said, potential water efficiency element ideas include (but are
not limited to): use of native/climate-appropriate plants and landscape material, interpretive
signage with information about water efficiency, installation of a rainwater harvesting system,
installation of a graywater system, or use of efficient irrigation equipment like soaker hoses or
weather -based irrigation controllers.
• Grantees must have a proposed or existing outdoor educational space and provide proof of
approval from the property owner to construct or enhance the site.
• Grantees must ensure ongoing maintenance of the landscape beyond the time frame of the
project.
• Grantee must incorporate at least one of the three AWE Learning Landscape Lessons that
accompany this application. A fourth lesson is forthcoming and can be used to meet this
requirement.
• Grantees will provide a final project report including, but not limited to, a project narrative,
accounting of funds, documentation of how AWE Learning Landscapes Lessons were
incorporated, and photos of the completed space.
Alliance for Water Efficiency Learning Landscapes Grant Application:
Email address: jwoods@roundrocktexas.gov
First and last name of primary application contact: P
essica Woods
Title of primary application contact: Water Conservation Program Coordinator
Phone number of primary application contact: 12-671-2872
Organization name: City of Round Rock Utilities and Environmental Services
Organization type: Municipal Water Utility
Location of proposed project: 3400 Sunrise Rd, Round Rock, Texas 78665
Name of owner of oroperty where you plan to e_nha_nce/construct your Learning Landscape:
City of Round Rock
*Property owner's written approval must be included for this application to be considered.
If selected, to whom should the grant check be addressed?
City of Round Rock
Please provide an estimate of the number of students that will participate in educational
programs in this garden.
Once the learning landscape is completed, we plan to host one class every two weeks whether public or private, the
Gass sizes vary. We expect 5-25 students per class. We will schedule schools and classes to come during the
academic school year. We will continue to host classes during the summer time for children who are accompanied
by their parents or guardians. These classes will have registration via our website.
Please describe your organization and provide a website address if applicable.
Utilities and Environmental Services Department is committed to providing customers with a reliable
safe water supply, essential wastewater systems, environmental and engineering services that
guard public health, adequate maintenance of the City's infrastructure while protecting, conserving,
enhancing the region's environmental resources.
ity of Round Rock Utilities and Environmental services website roundrocktexas,govlutilities
ity of Round Rock Water Conservation website roundrocktexas.govlconservation
Please describe qualifications and experience within your organization related to managing small
[rluN71
e City of Round Rock is a recipient of many state and local grants.
For groups with existing gardens/educational landscapes, please describe the current use of the
space and how the surrounding community benefits.
ur newest education program is in conjunction with Smart Irrigation Month which promotes the best practices and
fficient technologies for irrigation. We host classes Thursdays in July that teach our water customers the
mportance of water conservation and give them the skills to achieve water savings in their landscapes at home. Half
f the class is inside of our training room and the second half is spent outside in our irrigated landscape. We use the
Sprinklers to demonstrate ways that would cause them to waste water and give examples on how to fix those issues.
he attendees learn basic sprinkler maintenance by hands on work and watching our examples.
Please describe your motivations for applying for this grant and plans for developing your
garden/educational landscape. This narrative should include your organization's goals for the
landscape, a description of who will benefit from the project, and any community partners who
may be involved.
Our water conservation program provides education for residents such as Gasses on efficient irrigation use. public outreach about water waste. leak alerts, watr etiidenl
rebates, water saving guides, the promotion of native landscaping. and much more We have seen the benefits of educating our public either by quanita1L wateer savings fro
our leak alert program or qualitative savings through educational events. The amount of water we help conserve has motivated us to expand our outreach resources to the
Younger eanmurity members of Round Rork_ The young students will be our lawmakers, business owners, and water customers in the future therefore we want them to team
about the importance of water conservation early in life A leaming landscape would provide younger students with an interactive example of what their future properties could
look like We want them to know that there are environmentally sustainable options that promote diversity and save water for their future properties.
We anticipate having Williamson County Master Gardeners or Good Water Master Naturalists assist with the turf removal and installation of the new plants. as wel; as a once a
year maintenance day for the landscape
Please provide a general project timeline.
September 2021 Remove portions of grass to create beds for native landscaping and begin purchasing native plants and seeds
October 202l Begin planting native seeds that need to start in the fall, bunch grasses, and shrubs.
November 2021 Continue planting and begin mulching beds and walkways in the landscape More than half of the landscape should be done
C)ecemberldanuary 2022 Purchase signage for learning landscape and create media to promote Gasses
February 2022. Begin labeling and adding signage to landscape as plants begin to grow Begin to promote Gasses to our independent school district, Junior Master
Naturalists. and private schools.
February 2022 Expand rainwater irrigation and drip tubing to the learning landscape
March 2022 Finish planting other seeds (hat need to start in the sprang and finalize lesson plans start to print and put together materials for Gasses
April 2022 Begin Gasses and host them every two weeks
Please provide photos of the current site, a sketch of rough design and dimensions, written
proof of property owner's permission, and description of the proposed construction. These
materials should be emailed w'th your application to info@a4we.org. ❑✓
Please provide a rough budget for your project and describe how this grant will be expended.
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Please describe what elements of efficient water management you will include in your Learning
Landscape, This requirement is intentionally flexible to give you room to be creative and to adapt
these elements to local conditions_ That said, potential water efficiency element ideas include
(but are not limited to), use of native/climate appropriate plants and landscape material,
interpretive signage with information about water efficiency, installation of a rainwater
harvesting system, installation of a graywater system, or use of efficient irrigation equipment like
soaker hoses or weather -based irrigation controllers.
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If any additional lessons or curricula will be used in association wAh this grant to teach students
about water conservation and efficiency, please describe them here.
Please describe plans for ongoing maintenance of the garden beyond the scope of the project.
We have an exceptional utility staff who volunteers. Williamson County Master
Gardeners & Master Naturalists will also be asked to help with maintenance. Volunteer.
will help by maintaining a neat and healthy landscape that will last us decades. Shrubs
and other large plants will be trimmed back annually, as needed. Mulch will be
refreshed throughout the beds and pathways annually. We will remove ant beds and
other invasive insects or plants, as able, without the use of chemicals_
Please proceed to the next page to complete the application.
Alliance for Water Efficiency Learning Landscapes: Agreements
If you are selected to receive this grant, you must agree to the following:
• To use the funds only for the designated purpose described in the grant application and
subsequent grant notification letter and not for any other purpose without prior written
approval from the Alliance for Water Efficiency ("AWE").
• To notify AWE immediately of any change in: (a) your organization's legal or tax status; (b) your
organization's executive or key staff responsible for ensuring compliance with the grant
requirements or purposes; (c) your organization's ability to expend the grant for the intended
purpose; and (d) any expenditure from this grant for any purpose other than those for which the
grant was intended.
• To give AWE reasonable access to your files and records for the purpose of making such financial
audits, verifications, and investigations as it deems necessary concerning the grant, and to
maintain such fifes and records for a period of at least four years after completion or termination
of the project.
• To not expend any grant funds for any political or lobbying activity or for any purpose other than
one specified in section 170(c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• To return to AWE any unexpended funds or any portion of the grant that is not used for the
purposes specified herein.
• To allow AWE to review and approve the content of any proposed publicity concerning this grant
prior to its release and to recognize AWE and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation (the
"Foundation") in all publicity materials related to the funded project or program, as specified in
the grant notification letter.
• To allow AWE and the Foundation to include information about this grant in periodic public
reports, newsletter, news releases, social media postings, and on their respective websites. This
includes the amount and purpose of the grant, any photographs you have provided, your logo or
trademark, and other information and materials about your organization and its activities.
• To submit a written report summarizing the project promptly following the end of the period
during which you are to use all grant funds and to submit any interim reports AWE may require.
Your reports should describe your progress in achieving the purposes of the grant and include a
detailed accounting of the use and expenditure of grant funds.
• To cooperate fully with AWE to assure that AWE is able to satisfy all of the requirements of an
"expenditure responsibility" grant in accordance with the terms of the Internal Revenue Code
and the regulations thereunder.
• AWE reserves the right to discontinue, modify or withhold any payments under this grant award
or to require a total or partial refund of any grant funds if, in AWE's sole discretion, such action
is necessary: (a) because you have not fully complied with the terms and conditions of this grant;
(b) to protect the purpose and objectives of the grant or AWE's charitable activities; or (c) to
comply with the requirements of any law or regulation applicable to you, AWE, the Foundation,
or this grant.
Please initial the following statement: I have read the foregoing and understand that, if my organization is
selected to receive a grant, I or m or anization's representative will execute a binding agreement with
AWE to include these terms. 1W
�v
�J,City Manager
Og
a�
City of Round Rock
JRUND ROCK
xas Agenda Item Summary
Agenda Number:
Title: Consider authorizing the Intent to Apply for Grant Funding for 2021 Learning
Landscapes Grant Program with the Alliance for Water Efficiency
Type: City Manager Item
Governing Body: City Manager Approval
Agenda Date: 7/23/2021
Dept Director: Michael Thane, Utilities and Environmental Services Director
Cost:
Indexes:
Attachments: AWE Learning Landscapes - Grant Application.2021(2), WildflowerField
Department: Utilities & Environmental Services
Text of Legislative File CM-2021-206
In order to continue promoting smart water habits, the Utilities & Environmental Service Department
water conservation program is turning its attention to the area's youth. It has long been the focus of the
Water Conservation Program to teach residents about the importance and scarcity of water, with special
focus on irrigating smart and ensuring your home is free of leaks. The outreach efforts have seemed to
make a good impact, and the natural next step is to teach the next generation how they can make a
difference and, hopefully, nurture them becoming lifelong advocates for water conservation.
This Alliance for Water Efficiency Grant is the perfect first step for youth outreach. The requirements of the
grant line up with our mission to promote smart irrigation practices, and incorporates one of three
available Learning Landscape Lessons. Each lesson has a different water -based focus and we have chosen
to pursue the third lesson, which focuses on native Texas plants. Native plants are drought resistant and
require less watering. We will use the grant funds to develop a plot of land at the Bob Bennett Building to
provide children an interactive experience, helping them to identify different plants and wildflowers. This
will show them that they can have a beautiful, water -conscious landscape when they grow up. We look
forward to incorporating the new landscape into future smart irrigation classes as well.
City of Round Rock Page 1 -