A Prairie Gift That Keeps On Giving

Partners use prescribed burns to enhance private lands conservation
Past Weaver recipients have studied the effects of fire on prairies.
© Chris Helzer
 

In May of 1995, on the occasion of their marriage, Judy Parks made a gift to The Nature Conservancy to establish the J.E. Weaver Small Grants Program to honor her husband Ron's love of the Great Plains.

The Weaver Program was named for a man often referred to as the Father of Grassland Ecology.  John E. Weaver was an internationally known scientist who taught at the University of Nebraska from 1917 to 1952.  He was a renowned teacher, researcher, and champion of prairie conservation.

Now, almost 15 years and 55 students later, the J.E. Weaver Small Grants Progam is continuing its legacy.  The Nebraska Chapter will award up to five $1,000 grants in 2010.

Eligible project categories are:

  • Grassland, wetland, and/or woodland ecology and restoration
  • Great Plains migratory bird conservation and management
  • Invasive species management
  • Aquatic species and community inventories, taxonomy, and conservation
  • Distribution and abundance of threatened or endangered species, or rare communities

Download the RFP.

Interested in supporting the J.E. Weaver Competitive Grants Program?  Contact Renee King, Director of Philanthropy, at (402) 342-0282 x 1009.