The Genesee Finger Lakes Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association is dedicated to enhancing environmental education opportunities of the greater Finger Lakes area. With the help of your donations, sponsorships, and memberships, we are able to contribute to the following causes:
GFLAWMA is pleased to announce its 2026 Earth Day Grant Program winners! The purpose of the Earth Day Grant Program is to increase and enhance environmental education opportunities in our community. The applications are reviewed primarily on the basis of promoting: 1) environmental awareness and consciousness, and 2) the development of technical knowledge and skills and sustainable environmental practices.
For more information, please review the Earth Day Grant Program Application.
Applications must be submitted to Education Committee chair Darik M. Jordan at djordan@bartonandloguidice.com. Applications are due in early March each year. The exact deadline for 2027 applications has not yet been announced.
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See below for the 2026 Earth Day Grant Program winners!
We Love Blueberries
Organization Name: Monroe County Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program
Summary: The “We Love Blueberries” project is an elementary-level educational program that uses blueberries as a hands-on way to teach students about local food systems, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture across three Monroe County schools. Through activities like read-aloud, food preparation, and hydroponic experiments, students will explore environmental impacts of food choices and learn practical science and problem-solving skills. The project aims to reach about 800 participants, increasing both short-term understanding and long-term awareness of healthy eating and sustainability.
Citizen Science Day
Organization Name: RMSC Museum & Science Center
Summary: Citizen Science Day is a public environmental education program hosted by the RMSC Museum & Science Center as part of Citizen Science Month in April 2026. The two-day event will feature hands-on activities including seed ball creation with native plants, use of citizen science apps (iNaturalist, Seek, Merlin), species identification sessions, topographic mapping to demonstrate water level impacts, and a mini-Littatrap demonstration on stormwater pollution. Additional programming includes guest presentations and recyclable craft activities. The project is expected to engage approximately 300–500 participants, fostering environmental awareness, scientific engagement, and a deeper appreciation of the natural world.
Enhancing Outreach for Bird and Habitat Education
Organization Name: Braddock Bay Bird Observatory
Summary: The “Enhancing Outreach for Bird and Habitat Education” project aims to expand the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory’s public education efforts through improved outreach materials and displays. Funding will support the creation of new laminated educational posters on topics such as native plants, migratory connectivity, and the science of bird banding, as well as updated banners and table displays for offsite events and festivals. These materials will be used both at the observatory and in the community to engage audiences in bird conservation and habitat stewardship. The project is expected to reach more than 800 participants annually, increasing awareness of ecological connections and conservation practices.
DEC Summer Camp Sponsorship Program
The Genesee Finger Lakes Chapter Education Committee has instituted a program through which the chapter will sponsor local children to attend the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (“NYSDEC”) Environmental Education Summer Camp Program. The AWMA sponsorships are open to children who will be between the ages of 11 and 17 at the time of the Summer Camp.
Please email completed applications to Education Committee chair Darik M. Jordan at djordan@bartonandloguidice.com.
GFL AWMA_DEC.Camp.Sponsorship.2024.pdf
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Wild Wings Bird of Prey Facility and Nature Center
We are excited to provide an opportunity to sponsor two students at one of the summer camps hosted by Wild Wings Bird of Prey Facility and Nature Center.
Check out the wonderful work they do at their website: Wild Wings, Inc.
Outstanding Environmental Management Student Award
The Genesee Finger Lakes Chapter of AWMA and NYWEA have maintained a decades-long partnership to support eligible students enrolled in Rochester Institute of Technology’s Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety (CETEMS). Award recipients are selected through an application process in conjunction with CETEMS and the awards are funded by proceeds from the Annual GFL AWMA and NYWEA Joint Environmental Seminar held in the spring.
We are proud to collaborate with RIT faculty and students to help foster better understanding of the environmental, health, safety and sustainability issues in our community.
GFL A&WMA has also provided grants to other environmental education related organizations on an ad hoc basis. If you wish to inquire, please email Darik Jordan, Education Committee Chair Djordan@bartonandloguidice.com