The National Park Foundation (NPF) has announced a request for proposals for Unilever's Recycling at Work Program. This program funds park visitor experience enhancement projects, such as boardwalks, overlooks, pullouts, educational/interpretive displays and infrastructure improvements using sustainable lumber throughout the National Park System. The program focuses specifically on visitor experience enhancement projects using sustainable, 100% recycled plastic (#2HDPE) lumber.

1. Technical merit of project. Note: All projects should be entered into the National Park Service Project Management Information System (PMIS) or listed as a need on a park-planning document. All projects should have plans and specifications detailed in the proposal;

2. Project within grant range of $5,000 to $50,000. Note: if part of a larger project, funding to complete the entire project must be in hand;

3. Use of Recycled Materials - Degree to which project involves use of sustainable, 100% recycled plastic lumber (HDPE #2);

4. Sustainable Practices - Degree to which project can model environmentally sustainable practices;

5. Visitor Benefit - Numbers of visitors who will benefit;

6. Interpretive-Educational Potential - Degree to which project demonstrates shared commitment to sustainable practices to visitors and key constituents;

7. Volunteer Potential - Potential of project to attract volunteer help, potential level of volunteer involvement.

The Concession Environmental Management Program has clarified with NPF that while the grant administrators will only review proposals submitted by parks, concessioners are welcome to coordinate with their park to develop a proposal for projects to be implemented at concessioner-operated facilities. However, ultimately, the park must submit the proposal.

The application form and instructions are included in the attachment. Proposals must be postmarked and emailed to the National Park Foundation by January 6, 2005. Regional directors may require a regional review prior to this deadline. Please check with your Regional Partnership Coordinator for region-specific deadlines.

Should you have any questions about this grant program, please contact the National Park Foundation via Marjorie Thomas, Grants Manager, at 202/238-4197.