90 to Zero
You’ve got 90 days. It changes in an instant.
Just 90 days.
Expect no help from them.
Far too busy with lofty blah, blah, blah…
Telling everyone how to do this or that as they fly in their private jets to Switzerland to discuss global warming during the annual World Economic Forum. Their lives so different.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Occasionally squeezing out of their palatial estates to advise others to live simply, share all, wringing hands over inequalities. Until. “Oh, cameras, step aside, please. Occupy the Photo Op! Yes, more champagne.” Living in luxury. Their actions speak louder than their words.
Blah. Blah. Blah.
Zeroes. Might as well be in another universe.
Face it. We’re all we’ve got. So here’s the deal.
Grab this opportunity to make your corner of the world a better place and make a difference in people’s lives.
WAIT!
Yes, that is my foot jammed in there preventing you from slamming the door to your mind shut.
The Great Outdoors is fine, but you’re more of a writer, musician, dancer, or artist?
Perfect!
Consider the Artist Boat in Galveston, Texas.
Combines art, ecology, beautification of the sea wall, science, and experiencing life outdoors. (Also you can get a tan.)
The Muses would be the first to endorse outdoorsy inspiration.
Artist Boat is a nonprofit that’s taken a few years to reach this point.
But the point is the Artist Boat started with one person and an idea. Add a grant. And it’s afloat.
So think! Spread the word. This is a world-wide initiative.
Calling all magnifying glasses that see all that’s going on in small gardens, potted plants, and wide open spaces.
Calling all skateboarders, hikers, swimmers, those pulling kids in little red wagons.
Calling all sketch books, shovels, notebooks, violins, cameras, hammers and nails.
Calling all waders of tidal pools, groomers of trails, bird house builders, dirt bikers, wild life photographers, prairie flower admirers, geologists, and those who know where the Conestoga Wagon ruts are.
You’ve got 90 days to dig up your plan.
First awards will be announced on Earth Day and a second round will be announced National Public Lands Day (Sept 26, 2015)
(Not a grant writer? No problem. Many school districts, universities, community colleges, libraries, or museums have one on staff – or teachers/employees who write them. Take some cookies, add Starbuck’s, and go ask for some writing tips. Ask them to share the phrases that get noticed. Read old grant applications that were funded to pick up wording, style, and organization. Of course there are books on writing grants, too.)
Click here for Keen’s official information, FAQ, video, and a world map of previous winners.
Your idea could change everything.
How cool would be for us to be able to say, “Hey, that grant winner is a Word Press blogger!”
About 90 days until the first round’s deadline.
Share your dream.
Make the world a better place.
Soothe the earth.
Get others to go outside.
Tell them they can take selfies bound to go viral.
Tell them tweeting about their outdoor adventures is encouraged.
Tell them they be the star of a You Tube video. (Ballet on the rocks?)
Face it. We’re all we’ve got.
No private planes.
Even less interest in attending high-profile meetings. (Blah, blah, baaa..)
Starting only takes an instant. It could change everything.
Phil, the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge
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27 Comments
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This has my ears peaked… gonna look a bit deeper into this
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Actually I was hoping you’d check in. Almost plugged in a link to your blog to catch your attention. Go for the grants! Thanks for grabbing a comment to leave.
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Interesting . I see they consider non-US projects as well. Worth a look.
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There was an old phrase “No matter what you need, someone somewhere is throwing that exact item away.” And here it is! From what I’ve seen of grants, the important thing is to follow directions, write clearly, show a new idea or way of doing something – this time encouraging more people to go outside, and had a clear way to measure results. Grab that grant!
Thanks for hiking in with a comment
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Cool! Now I want to visit Galveston too!
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Art Boat is such an intriguing concept for all ages. They have a big role in the new wetlands/prairie area that was recently acquired for public park. Galveston is more than sandy beaches (Good thing as the water and sands are not exactly Florida’s. Giggles – It’s my ugly pet and I can say that…Others? Maybe not. More giggles) Thanks for floating by to chat
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This uninformed Yankee has to ask, are there gaters there?
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There are gators in the marshes and wetland – but not usually where salt water prevails. And they are very shy. Noise would normally encourage them to leave the area. We only have to watch closely in spring and mating season around the lake areas and bayous. Otherwise they are pretty laid back and snoozy. But they are not beach sun bathers at all. Not interested in tanning their hides.
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“Face it. We’re all we’ve got.”
And that’s the real truth at the end of the day.
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More and more these days that seems to be the reality. At this point, strongly support local control, states’ initiatives and oversight, and keeping all the money you can close and in the community. Backwards world, but it is what it is. Hope someone grabs these grants. Thanks for packing up a comment to leave
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Can you believe this guy? Flew to World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland with wife, children, two nannies on a private plane and has the nerve to say “America’s lifestyle expectations are far too high and need to be adjusted…” Maybe he’d like to lead the way, hmmmm? (yes, mad enough to spit)
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-21/billionaire-greene-goes-long-on-u-s-while-bemoaning-jobs-crisis.html
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How despicable. That 1% thing is real. 😐
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Societies in sci-fi are seeming more and more possible.
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Wonderful idea. I love innovators, and hopefully this will generate a whole bunch of them and improve our connection with our outside environment in the process.
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A good opportunity for some creative ideas to get funded. The more people are out enjoying the outdoors, the more likely hood they will support protection of all of nature. Being outdoors is preventative medicine…if you avoid the poison ivy, snakes, and falls. Fresh air and sun reduce stress and help the immune system. Hope some great plans come to life with Keen’s initiative. Thanks for packing in a comment.
(Hope your mom is doing well. Do be careful in transit.)
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Thank you, she is. It’s up to solid food today. Yay!
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That’s very very good news!
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I’ve always said with the right shoes you can go anyway. Looks like Keen agree with me, and are putting that into tangible action 🙂
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One of my favorite companies. Thanks for stepping in with a comment
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Great fundraising opportunities here. Thanks for sharing. Very inspiring. 🙂
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Should help some ideas to get off the paper and into the wild. Thanks for following this path
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I’ve seen so much amazing creativity on the Internet. They should be swamped with wonderful ideas.
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It’s cool that they are searching world-wide. Can’t wait to see what people come up with. (I kept seeing a rock wall ballet in the style of those recent climbers…well, not that exact cliff face!) Thanks for climbing over with a comment
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Creative idea! Yes, it would be cool if a WP blogger got the grant 🙂
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There’s bound to be a winning idea around here somewhere. Simply a matter of putting the contest and idea together! It would be cool. Thanks for pondering along
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Great to see funding opportunities like this do exist. I hope choosing a winner is difficult because they get so many great applications. 🙂
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Wonderful it’s a world-wide initiative. All those people screaming how horrible it is to have “hunt the wildlife” raffles should step up and try to help the preserves grab a grant. The preserves need money to protect animals like elephants and to pay rangers who stop poachers. With luck the right person will see Keen’s contest. Thanks for cheering along
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