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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT FROM THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN THE AMOUNT OF $105,000 TO SUPPORT PLACE-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR YOUTH AT HARTLEY NATURE CENTER.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to accept the grant, substantially in the form of Exhibit A, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and to draw down the appropriated funds in an amount not to exceed $105,000 for the purpose of implementing Watershed Connections: place-based experiential environmental education for youth at Hartley Nature Center, with said funds to be deposited into 205-130-1220-4209-02-CM205-HARTLE-26EPA (parks fund, community resources, parks capital, direct Federal grants - operating, capital maintenance fund 205, Hartley Park, 2026 EPA).
FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Duluth has the legal authority to accept these funds and the financial, technical, and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project. There is no local match required for this grant.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Nina Salinas, City of Duluth Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes acceptance of a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the amount of $105,000 to support place-based environmental education for youth.
This noncompetitive grant opportunity with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative arose through the St. Louis River Area of Concern management actions that are coordinated by an array of State, Federal, Tribal, and local agencies that are working to resolve the legacy contamination within the river and watershed. The EPA has dedicated funding to support management actions and the project will support management goals pertaining to education.
The project will be implemented in partnership with Hartley Nature Center. The project will engage K-12 youth in experiential environmental education focused on the Tischer Creek watershed-a cold-water tributary to Lake Superior and the St. Louis River Area of Concern. The purpose of this project is to provide educational programs connecting youth to previous and ongoing restoration work, fostering a deeper appreciation for the downstream Lake Superior ecosystem. Activities will support exploration of watershed science, aquatic biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. Outcomes include improved public awareness and understanding of watershed dynamics and the importance of tributary ecosystem health for 2,918 youth, deepened appreciation of cold-water trout streams through delivery of six fishing programs, and enhanced public and community partnerships with at least five youth-serving agencies for the collaborative delivery of programming opportunities. Subrecipient activities include delivery of 70 school field trips serving 2,541 students, up to 30 engagement programs with youth-serving agencies serving an anticipated 300 youth, and brook trout fishing experiences for 72 youth. Intended beneficiaries include program participants and their families, and those who recreate and enjoy Hartley Park and the Tischer Creek watershed.