A grants submission deadline has been announced by the Moline Community Foundation. Non-profit organizations are encouraged to apply if they serve the citizens of Moline and the surrounding region, including the Quad Cities.

All materials necessary to receive funds are due in The Moline Foundation offices by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 or must be postmarked by or on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.

Any non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, including those who have never received Moline Foundation funding in the past, is welcome to apply.

For more information, please refer to The Moline Foundation's web site at www. molinefoundation.org

An application should consist of a written request stating the name and address of the organization, its mission, names and addresses of Board members, financial statement, balance sheet, and the specific purpose for which any money received would be used including a project budget. The name, telephone number, and email of a contact person must also be included. The requested materials should be mailed according to the above deadline. Other important information about grant submission is available at The Moline Foundation's web site.

The Moline Community Foundation offices are located at the Deere-Wiman House, 817 11th Avenue, Moline.

The Moline Foundation, founded in 1953, is a community foundation which provides grants to health, human services, education, community development, the arts and other charitable organizations which benefit the citizens of Moline and the surrounding area, including the Quad Cities region in both Iowa and Illinois. The Moline Foundation receives and administers charitable gifts and has a current endowment of approximately $13 million.

###

DES MOINES, Iowa ? The Nature Conservancy in Iowa is currently accepting applications for the annual $3,500 scholarship and internship awarded by the Anna Beal Trust. The Conservancy will grant 10 scholarships and internships to undergraduates attending an Iowa college or university. The 11-week field internship will take place from May 26 to August 10. Application, cover letter and references must be submitted by February 27, 2009.

The internship is a unique experience for undergraduates who are conservation minded and would like the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of environmental issues as well as receive financial assistance. If accepted, interns serve as crew members.

The crew, supervised by Conservancy staff, will be introduced to savanna restoration, exotic-species removal, preserve management practices, preserve design, natural resource protection, and conservation science methods.

Recipients will travel extensively throughout Iowa, mostly on Conservancy-owned property, and learn about the beauty of Iowa's tallgrass prairie, deciduous forest and wetland ecosystems. Crew members will be responsible for a variety of hands-on work functions, such as species identification, management techniques, fence repairing, fire line construction, fuel loading reduction and prescribe fire participation.

Crew members must be willing to live a rustic lifestyle and work in adverse weather conditions. Living in close quarters with crew members provides the opportunity to learn about fellow crew members and establish life-long friendships. During the week, crew members will camp in tents without electricity. The Conservancy will provide food stored in coolers and cooked on portable range camp stoves. Each crew member is expected to share in the cooking and cleaning duties.

Interns make significant contributions toward preservation by working eight-hour days with an hour for lunch. Crew members must have a strong work ethic and be able to work closely as a team as well as be self-motivated and be able to work individually and productively.

"The learning experience is extensive," says Scott Moats, the Conservancy's Broken Kettle Grassland Preserve manager and former Anna Beal intern, "and many internship recipients are successful in acquiring careers in the conservation field after completing their internship."

The Anna Beal Trust was founded in 1974 by Ed and Anna Beal, who farmed in Black Hawk County and wished to provide educational opportunities for deserving Iowa students. The proceeds of the Trust were designated to help Iowa college students, who without financial assistance could not obtain a college education.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about the Anna Beal Trust scholarship or would like to receive an application, please visit The Nature Conservancy in Iowa's web page at www.nature.org/iowa or call the office at 515-244-5044.

{mosimage}

Ryan Peterman of Bettendorf has received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Peterman will enter the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, this fall.

"I'm proud to announce Ryan Peterman's acceptance to the U.S. Naval Academy," Braley (D-Iowa) said. "With his excellent academic record and his history of community involvement, Ryan will be a valuable addition to the Naval Academy. I'm happy that Ryan will have the opportunity to further his education while continuing to serve his country at Navy."

 

Ryan Peterman will graduate from Bettendorf High School this spring, where he maintained a 3.9 grade point average while participating in student council, football and the Student Hunger Drive. Ryan is the son of George and Carolyn Peterman.

Each year Congressman Braley nominates students to the military service academies, including the U.S. Naval Academy. Nominees must demonstrate upstanding character, academic achievement, physical fitness, and leadership skills. A nominating committee comprised of community leaders reviews all applicants, with Congressman Braley recommending top candidates to the respective academies. Final acceptance decisions are made by the service academy. Students interested in applying to military service academies for enrollment in fall of 2010 should contact Congressman Braley's Waterloo office at (319) 287-3233.

##