Grants

The Spring Island Trust makes grants of native plants available to schools and nature education centers. The purpose of this grant program is to increase habitat available for native wildlife such as birds and insects, restore habitat to native vegetation, and create outdoor learning spaces for K-12/higher ed students and adults. Plants will be donated based on availability after the fall/spring public plant sales and site conditions. At least one grant applicant should be a Master Naturalist.

Grant Application

 

Past Grant Projects

Town of Bluffton

With funding support from a 319 grant, the Town installed a 1.25-acre stormwater pond, the New Riverside Pond, on donated property from Palmetto Bluff. 

In 2017, the Town of Bluffton implemented floating wetlands utilizing native wetland plants purchased from the Spring Island Trust's Native Plant Project. Native wetland plants grow through a matrix with their roots suspended in the water and absorb excess nutrients that may be present.

In conjunction with the Town's 2016 May River Cleanup, students and parents from MC Riley Elementary constructed two small floating wetlands utilizing native wetland plants, PVC pipe, and coir fiber. These floating wetlands were installed into a stormwater pond located on school grounds. Students learned about floating wetlands, the importance of protecting local water quality, and were able to monitor plant growth over time.

Mossy Oaks Elementary

The School Improvement Committee at Mossy Oaks Elementary School received a grant of native plants to install a pollinator garden in the school’s new outdoor classroom. Teachers will use the outdoor classroom for hands-on lessons in all subjects.

Bluffton Elementary

Bluffton Elementary School created a native plant garden in the front of the school building where parents pick up and drop off their children.  Teacher and project coordinator Kimberly Young says, "Each year the plants come back bigger and bigger! The spiderwort has continued to spread and is a favorite among the children because of the recurring purple blooms. I am a graduate of the Master Naturalist Program and am so thankful for all I have learned and continue to share with staff and students."

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