1. United States Forest Service Sustainable Operations Microgrant Program Federal Environmental Symposium West, 2009 Bellevue, Washington Jeff Sorkin USFS, Region 2 (303)-275-5759

2. Microcredit Concept Microcredit is the extension of very small loans to those in poverty designed to spur entrepreneurship. These individuals lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history and therefore cannot meet even the most minimal qualifications to gain access to traditional credit. Microcredit is a part of microfinance, which is the provision of a wider range of financial services to the very poor. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcredit

3. USFS Microgrants Small “grants” of money from Regional Office / Washington Office funds to USFS units to spur innovations in sustainable operations that otherwise would not be funded. Foster meaningful localized sustainable operations projects Minimal “strings attached” to allow for local control of project development. Must follow agency spending and procurement policy USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

4. Sustainable Operations Small scale Local, place-based Ground-level Employee-driven USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

5. Place-Based and Employee Driven Projects can and should be submitted by any employee regardless of discipline and/or appointment. Often it is our seasonal employees who have great suggestions about where energy, water, and other resources could be used more effectively and efficiently. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

6. Microgrants 2009 $60,000 available for FY2009 micro- grants. Each individual micro-grant cannot exceed $4,000. New category has been added – Net Zero. – This category is to encourage and support innovative ideas that take a comprehensive approach to what it means to walk the talk of sustainability. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

7. Requirements Projects must be related to energy conservation, renewable energy, water conservation, waste prevention/recycling, or sustainable leadership Must be implementable within the fiscal year. Can not exceed more the $4,000 per proposal. Proposals that leverage funding through partnerships and other resources will rank higher. Micro-grant funding cannot be used to pay salaries Required to write a short progress update and quantify the impact of their projects. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

8. Judging Criteria Overall creativeness and innovativeness Outcomes of the project measured against costs The environmental benefits The ability for implementation in this fiscal year A focus on changing behaviors and habits to reduce consumption and not just the use of technology or green gadgets Matching funds or other supporting resources – (could be either internal and/or external) Involvement of partners and/or the local community Sharing the project outcomes in a way that educates other Forest Service employees, partners, and the public. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

9. Mass-Purchase Program Battery recycling buckets Recycle bins Faucet aerators Smart power strips CFLs Improved weather stripping Window sealing Hot water heater blankets Non-monetary awards Supplies for Green Teams USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

10. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Pagosa Ranger District Xeriscaping What can you do with $3,000?

11. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Bear Proof Recycling for Junction Creek Campground What can you do with $3,000?

12. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Improving employee break room and educating about sustainable practices What can you do with $3,000? Save 1,526 kWh / year

13. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Silver Falls Cabin PV system What can you do with $3,000?

14. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants solar-thermal unit installed at the Woodland Park work center What can you do with $3,000?

15. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants On demand hot water heater, Pagosa RD, San Juan NF What can you do with $3,000?

16. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Redstone Solar Project What can you do with $3,000?

17. USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants Smoky supporting sustainable behaviors at the Winter X-Games What can you do with $3,000?

18. Other Projects Wood-fired pottery Kiln (see handout) Porcupine Ranger Station low-flush toilet installations Gunnison Ranger District replacement of old inefficient appliances - estimated savings to be 7,524 kWh. Xeriscaping plan for Yampa RD office Motion sensor light switches for the Yampa Ranger District Region-wide mass purchase of small energy and water conservation items USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

19. Locally designed project = success The micro grant is a great way to be able to help our office be sustainable and people are supportive of it, since it doesn’t take away from existing budgets for our office. Thanks! -- Pagosa Springs Ranger District, San Juan NF Thanks a million for all you have done to promote alternative energy. The Redstone project was a success. The newer designs should last a lot longer than the earlier ones. -- Aspen-Sorpris Ranger District USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants

20. USFS Microgrants More Information Contact: Jeff Sorkin USFS, Region 2, (303)-275-5759 Heather Davis, USFS, Region 2, (406)-587-6729 Sarah Kuiken, USFS, Region 2, (303)-275-5173 USFS Sustainable Operations Microgrants