Sustainable New Bedford.

“Sustainable New Bedford,” is a two-year project, 2008-2009, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency. SEEAL is the subcontractor of the award and will carry out project goals for the City of New Bedford.


Project Introduction
Program Design
Job Openings
Grant Opportunities
Project Sponsors



Project Introduction

Sustainable New Bedford projects will be carried out in two years, 2008-2009.

Sustainable New Bedford aims to raise awareness among residents and businesses, involve youth, offer resources for non-profits and community groups, and further stimulate the environmental movement that is helping to shape the City’s future. All activities and tasks under this project will take place in the City of New Bedford. SEEAL, with oversight by the City of New Bedford and the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA), is the local environmental education group that will work to ensure that activities under this work plan are carried out.

The project is organized into five primary tracks.

The five-track focus is intended to fairly benefit residents, community groups, non-profits, businesses, youth and schools in the City of New Bedford. Aligned with the EPA’s goals and cross-goal strategies, the work will promote EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. This project will help to reduce the release of harmful chemicals into the natural environment, to lower the use of pesticides in the City, and to reduce damaging effects that hazardous substances have on the City’s environment.

The five tracks are:

• Develop curriculum that enhances sustainability education in New Bedford Public Schools. Tasks will include: to formulate curriculum, design and build activities to further aid in students’ science education, to facilitate outdoor experiences, and to provide teacher trainings.

• Lead a youth energy audit training for young adults and high schools students. Trainings, audits, summer internships and school-wide presentations will build confidence and leadership skills as well. Collaborative program delivery and oversight will help to ensure project success.

• Support implementation of recommendations made in the Mayor’s Sustainability Task Force’s (MSTF) report. This track will offer supportto ensure follow-up for the MSTF.

• Sponsor non-profit and community group projects on sustainability and watershed initiatives which focus on harmful effects of chemical releases and pesticides on air, land and water quality. Support ongoing efforts of New Bedford environmental non-profits and help them to build up-to-date resources that include emerging environmental issues.

• Help facilitate the Bioneers by the Bay Sustainability Conference that will be hosted by the City of New Bedford 2008.

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Program Design

SEEAL will focus on innovative approaches, solutions and tools to increase environmental awareness and stewardship within the City of New Bedford. With input from public schools, non-profits, businesses, universities, and City staff, SEEAL will be aligned with the best professional advice and scientific resources available. SEEAL plans to utilize existing local, national, and international knowledge at every level of its planning, implementation, and performance measurement.

SEEAL is a program of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts. SEEAL works under the guidance and supervision of the Community Foundation’s staff and board of directors, as well as its own 20-member board of directors. SEEAL and the Community Foundation will work closely with the City of New Bedford to ensure the grant’s success. SEEAL will submit quarterly reports outlining the grant’s successes and challenges to the EPA via the City of New Bedford. There will be continual evaluation of methods and strategies used and resulting measurable outputs.

This project will target and reach youth, adults, community groups, non-profits, businesses in New Bedford, and the City’s residents at large. Inclusivity, accountability and best management practices will be implemented at all levels. All grant and job opportunities will be solicited in a fair and open process. SEEAL will do its best to benefit its headquarter city, New Bedford. [back to top]


Job Openings

Job openings are to be determine and will be posted soon – please check back..

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Grant Opportunities

Grant opportunities and proposal deadlines will be posted soon – please check back. [back to top]


Project Sponsors

SEEAL will subcontract a 2006 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) earmark for the City of New Bedford to administer Environmental Education & Programming.

City of New Bedford	EPA
CFSEMA

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