Local Assistance, Incentives, and Rebates

One of the aspects I love most about my job is how much I continue to expand my knowledge on a regular basis. Sometimes I increase my technical skills, other times I pick up great stories to add to my repertoire, and occasionally I come across local resources that can help us help you to make a difference. Two such resources crossed my path this week, and I would like to share them with you.

The past few years I have been involved in the planning and implementations of Live Green! events across the country. In preparing for our next event in Pineville, LA, I was asked if we might be able to tackle a significant stream erosion problem. Needing help, I jumped on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website and found what I was hoping for, a Private Land Management Assistance Program (in other states, they are often called Landowner Incentive Programs). Within a couple of hours I had connected our member and a professional biologist who visited the site. As I suspected, it was too large a project for our Live Green! event, but they are now working on a plan that will also include financial assistance in stabilizing the stream bank. Google your state name and “landowner assistance program” to see what available. I was unable to come across any programs outside the United States, but that doesn’t mean they do not exist.

I was already familiar with the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency website. During a webinar today I learned of other programs providing technical and financial water conservation incentives. You can search these rebates and incentives through the EPA WatersSense website as well as your local water utility.

Members often ask me where to go to bolster their Resource Advisory Group or Green Team. These are a few great places to start to get the local expertise and possibly financial assistance you need to get your environmental program to the next level.