PRAD Grants

Congratulations are in order for the following winners
of this year's grants:

Calvert Marine Museum-Daniel "Firehawk" Abbott will be at the museum for a day-long workshop and will share his knowledge about the traditional culture of the native people who once populated the banks of the Patuxent River.

Orphaned Wildlife Rescue Center, Inc.-OWRC will be offering in-depth classes to those concerned about wildlife, their habitats, and the environmental future of the Patuxent river basin and its tributaries.

Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum-FJPPM will hold the annual Senator Bernie Fowler's Patuxent River Wade In that raises awareness among the general public and elected officials regarding the ecological condition of the Patuxent River.

Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Society-SMOCS is educating youngsters about the ecological role of oysters in the marine environment as well as depositing oysters on santuaries in the Patuxent River.

P.R.A.D., Inc., through proceeds from its annual October festival, makes grant awards to non-profit organizations that either provide educational programs or conduct research activities focusing on the Patuxent River or Patuxent River Basin.

To receive an application for a P.R.A.D., Inc. grant, write P.R.A.D., Inc., P.O. Box 97, Solomons, Maryland 20688 or call Melissa McCormick at 410-326-2042 ext. 41 or email mccormmj@co.cal.md.us. You must provide the name of the non-profit organization, a contact person's name, a complete mailing address and a daytime telephone number or email address. Deadline for receipt of completed applications is March 21, 2011.

P.R.A.D., Inc. is a non-profit organization founded for the purpose of bringing attention to and raising the awareness of the benefits of the Patuxent River to Southern Maryland. During Columbus Day weekend each year, the Patuxent River Appreciation Days festival is held in Solomons, Maryland. Proceeds from the festival are returned to the community in the form of grants, which are awarded to non-profit organizations six months after the festival. The number of applications grants awarded is based on the number of applications submitted and the amount of net proceeds from the festival.

Grants are restricted to either research or educational topics related to the natural history, environment, or culture of the Patuxent River basin.

Grants are limited to a maximum of $1,000 each year. Only one grant may be submitted per agency, per year.

P.R.A.D.,Inc. is sponsored by the Calvert County Government, Calvert Marine Museum, American Legion Post 274, Calvert Artist’s Guild, Calvert County Government, the Calvert County Waterman's Association, the PaPoPeake Shrine Club, and S.M.I.L.E.

Grant recipients from one year will not be considered for a grant the following year, however, they will be considered the next year.

Contact mccormmj@co.cal.md.us