Wednesday, April 30
The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell seeks proposals from non-profit community or environmental organizations in Massachusetts interested in reducing the use of toxic chemicals in living or work spaces.

For 13 years, TURI has been funding annual projects to help communities

become safer and healthier for residents and workers. Two levels of funding

are available--$1,000 grants for smaller toxics use reduction projects and up

to $15,000 for larger projects. The proposal deadline is June 30, 2008.

Projects span August 2008 through June 2009.

Sample project ideas include increasing the use of safer cleaning products

and pest control substances, encouraging organic lawn care methods on

private or town properties, reducing lead sinkers used in recreational fishing,

and raising awareness of toxic materials used in hair and nail salons.

Public housing authorities, water departments, neighborhood associations,

environmental groups, labor unions, fire and police departments, libraries,

boards of health, schools, and individuals, as well as youth with an interest in

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community service--all are encouraged to apply.

"The TURI community grant project leaders not only foster partnerships and

change within neighborhoods, they also gain well-deserved recognition for

successfully implementing their projects," explained Joy Onasch, TURI

Community Program Manager. "In fact, one of our past youth grantees,

Michael Browne, met the President last week and received the EPA Region 1

President's Environmental Youth Award for his TURI 'Get the Lead out of

Fishing' project."

To better understand grant requirements and elements of successful projects, organizations are encouraged to attend a TURI pre-grant workshop at UMass Lowell on May 20, 9 to 11 a.m. or May 29, 2 to 4 p.m.

To sign up for a workshop or to learn more, contact Joy Onasch, TURI Community Program Manager, joy@turi.org, (978) 934-4343. Visit the TURI

community web site to peruse past projects and download a grant application

package at: turi.org/community.

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell provides the

resources and tools to help Massachusetts companies and communities make

the Commonwealth a safer place to live and work. Established by the State's

Toxics Use Reduction Act of 1989, TURI provides research, training, technical

support, laboratory testing services and grant programs to reduce the use of

toxic chemicals while enhancing the economic competitiveness of

businesses.

Visit: turi.org for more information.