Presented by: Jill Spisiak Jedlicka, Director of Ecological Programs & Buffalo River RAP Coordinator Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Tips from the Trenches Administering Federal Grants HOW Conference September 24-25, 2010 Buffalo, New York

Presentation Overview Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Context Building Capacity Things your mother never told you about grant management… Top 10 Tips & Lessons Learned

The Buffalo River Watershed

How do you make this…….turn into this? Photo courtesy of: Photo courtesy of: Lower Lakes Marine Historical Society Photo courtesy of:

Photo courtesy of: Photo courtesy of: National Aniline and Chemical COmpany Photo courtesy of: 1951 And this………………………..to this?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead

Buffalo River AOC- Riverkeeper Context TIMELINE RAP Stage 1/Stage 2 Completed “Friends of the Buffalo River” (predecessor to Riverkeeper) is incorporated – Buffalo River RAP Coordinated by NYSDEC 2001 – First major NYS grant to “Friends” for aquatic habitat assessment “Friends” granted Buffalo River RAP Management authority from USEPA 2005 – Riverkeeper-Army Corps 312 Agreement, RAP Coordination extended 5 yr Riverkeeper-GLNPO Legacy Act Agreement Commence Buffalo River sediment removal with Army Corps Finalist for 5 GLRI awards = $1.9 million

Building Capacity USEPA-GLNPO R/V Mudpuppy Photo courtesy of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper There’s cleaning-up…………………...then, there’s clean-up..…….. Pre and Post Capacity- Build a Portfolio. Staffing, volunteers, and Board members Organizational standards and requirements

Things you never knew… Timeframes are never as you expect or hope for- EVER. You need unrestricted funds or overhead to get started. What’s a QAPP, a DUNS #, an SFR, an RFQ, an RFP, an MOA, an MOU, an Article 404…? Ask someone. Master the art of information management- track in kind match, deliverables, and build and maintain institutional knowledge. Boilerplates for everything, then adapt. Embrace your mistakes and learn from them.

Step 1 – Organize Or Re-Organize Identify local group, individual, or agency that is unequivocally committed to the restoration of your river. Have the courage to lead and take risk, others will follow. Photo credit: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Photo credit: Erie County Historical Society Tips & Lessons Learned

Step 2 – Inform, Educate and Engage Reach out to and educate local elected officials and agency representatives. Know your audience. Be prepared to follow up your words with actions. Never complain about an issue without offering a solution or next step. Take responsibility and build credibility through small scale pilot or demonstration projects. Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Tips & Lessons Learned

Step 3 – Partnerships, collaborations and the art of compromise. Partnerships are only as strong as its weakest link. Try not to be the weakest link. Invite everyone to the table, but don’t compromise on what really matters. Identify the strength and value of every stakeholder or partner and leverage it to the fullest capacity. Challenge, inspire, mobilize, and collaborate with others who can support or derail the efforts – the “Team of Rivals” model. Keep the perspective- the big picture and grand vision balanced with a dose of reality. Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper Tips & Lessons Learned

Step 4 – Celebrate & Communicate Don’t be afraid to contact or utilize the local press. Public meetings, tours, presentations and invite feedback. Self promotion is never a bad thing (i.e.: completion of major grant project, signing of Legacy agreement, award of new funding). Be creative- guerilla tactics, social media, in-your face or subtle. Tips & Lessons Learned Photo credits: Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper

Questions? Contact: Jill Spisiak Jedlicka Director of Ecological Programs & Buffalo River Remedial Action Plan Coordinator Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper (716)