Entry Cost & Funding

Cost to Enter the CR Program

Materials, Installation and Start-up Support: $1,500 (one-time cost)

We provide everything necessary to become a full participant in the LSU Coastal Roots Program.

Installation and Start-up Support: This covers staff time and travel costs for nursery installation and initial monthly site visits.
Materials: This covers irrigation system and timer, can yard materials (e.g. plant cells and trays), gravel, ground cloth, shade cloth, lock, dog kennel with door, restoration materials (e.g. shovels, dibbles, mosquito spray) etc.

Checks should be made payable to LSU. Please note LSU Coastal Roots Start-Up Fund in the memo section on the check.

NOTE 1: Dr. Bush and Dr. Blanchard will no longer hook a nursery yard up to a faucet connection. Sadly, if schools cannot locate a water line into which a licensed plumber can install a "tee" and a proper shutoff valve, we will be unable to install the nursery. A tee into a water line mut be installed and prior to setting the date for the installation day for the can yard. The cost for the installation of this water connection is the school's responsibility.

NOTE 2: Installation of the can yard & irrigation system cannot begin until (1) the water connection has been completed by the plumber, and (2) LSU receives the affiliation fee. Once the proper plumbing connection has been installed and affiliation fee has been received, materials will be ordered, delivered to the school and an installation date set. Ordering materials and scheduling the installation is dependent upon Dr. Bush's and Dr. Blanchard's teaching and research schedules and may take as long as 8 weeks.

Other Costs that Schools must pick up (not included in the Affiliation Fee):

Proper plumbing connection: variable

(see NOTE 1 above); one time charge. Schools are responsible for the proper installation of a "tee" and shutoff valve.

Restoration Trip Cost: about $300 yearly.

Schools are responsible for the bus rental, teacher substitute(s) on the day of the restoration trip, and student refreshments for the trip. Lagniappe would include items such as t-shirts. We have been fortunate to have donations to the LSU Coastal Roots Foundation Fund to support a reimbursement for school bus rental in the past, however, the ability to provide for this reimbursement is determined on a yearly basis.

Nursery Maintenance: variable.

Schools are responsible for costs of replacing broken and/or damaged materials connected with the nursery. This includes irrigation timers, broken irrigation stems, lost/damaged cells and trays, etc.

Ways to Fund Your CR Program

Can Yard Funding

Louisiana Environmental Education Commission Grant

Grants for teachers, $1000 single teacher or $2000 team of two teachers at same school. Available to accredited public or non-public schools (K-12) in Louisiana, contact Venise Ortego, Environmental Education Coordinator. Deadline: mid-March. Implementation is expected during the following school year.

Brown Foundation Service-Learning Grant

Grants for private or public school teachers in the following parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa or Washington. Grants are non-competitive. Grant writing workshops available. Contact Brown Foundation Office of Service Learning at 504-834-3433, ext. 210 or 215.
Deadline: End of April. Awarded in early September.

Quality Science and Math (QSM) Grant

Apply for a Quality Science and Math (QSM) Grant to enhance your math or science classroom! Available for public school teachers. Amount: up to $750 in materials. QSM Office at caincenter@lsu.edu or call (225) 578-6001.
Deadline: Early September.

Youth Garden Grant

Apply for a National Gardening Association award for schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. The selection of winners is based on the demonstrated relationship between the garden program and education related to the environment, health and nutrition issues, character education, and entrepreneurship in the United States. This year we will present awards to 20 schools or youth programs. 20 programs will receive a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids online store, curriculum, a generous donation of seeds, and plant starts from Bonnie Plants, and an Ames tool package. The top ten winners will receive a raised bed from New England Arbors.
Deadline: December

Restoration Trip Funding

Target Field Trip Grants

Grants of up to $700 are provided to fund field trips for students. Open to an accredited K-12 public, private or charter schools in the United States. Approximately 1,600 grants will be awarded to educators across the country. For trips January - May/June.
Deadline: October 1. Notification by December 15.

Other Garden Funding

Captain Planet Foundation

The Captain Planet Foundation (CPF) annually funds projects involving children and young adults. Recipients of these awards are often schools and non-profits that propose projects promoting understanding of environmental issues. These projects must include children and young adults (aged 6-18) and focus on hands-on involvement, interaction and cooperation within the group, development of planning and problem solving skills, and adult supervision. Generally, the monetary sum of awarded grants is between $250-2,500. Preference is given to those who have secured at least 50% matching or in-kind funding.
Deadline: From September 30 (for spring projects) or January 31 (for fall/winter projects). The application is available for online submission only. Notification is 3-4 months later.

Green Thumb Challenge

Green Education Foundation and Gardener’s Supply Company have teamed up on an exciting funding opportunity for established youth garden projects nationwide! The organizations are calling on schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden projects in a race to win a $500 prize. The award is designed to support the continued sustainability of an exceptional youth garden program that has demonstrated success, and has impacted the lives of kids and their community. This grant is to enhance gardens already established at schools.
Deadline: From September 30. The application is available for online submission only.

Green in Action Award

Green In Action Awards will be granted to inspiring projects based on GEF's sustainability themes. Winners are those schools, classrooms or youth groups who have demonstrated their commitment, creativity, or passion for sustainability in their application. Great application materials include photos, videos, essays, or artwork describing your environmental project, weigh-in, activity, community service project, or green team program! There are so many ways to participate and make a difference so show us how YOU are a champion for sustainability! Submissions will be reviewed and assessed relative to its creativity, educational value, and potential for sustainability and replication.
Deadline: mid-May.