$200K Available To Reconnect Communities To Nature In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA – Local community organizations have until May 8 to apply for a share of up to $200,000 in Parks Measure A funding aimed at connecting underserved residents with Marin County's natural spaces.

The Breathe Community Grant Program, overseen by Marin County Parks, is accepting applications for grants of up to $10,000 each. For the past 12 years, the program has worked to overcome barriers and foster lasting relationships between residents and parks, providing thousands with wellness programs and other services in outdoor settings.

Marin County Parks not only provides funding but also partners with grantees to enhance access, offering mobility devices and facility improvements at locations such as Roy’s Redwoods Open Space Preserve. The goal is to introduce residents to new park locations, encouraging them to return with family and friends.

This year's grantees are already leading diverse outdoor experiences:

• Marin City Health and Wellness Center: Providing weekly therapeutic outdoor programs at Rocky Graham Park, led by a nurse practitioner, targeting seniors, public housing residents, the unhoused, diabetics, and those with chronic pain or illness.
• WildCare: Offering free wildlife outings for first- through fifth-graders at Ring Mountain Open Space Preserve.
• Canal Mini Soccer League: Utilizing the new year-round fields at Pickleweed Park to ensure all Canal Neighborhood youth can participate in local soccer programs over the next year.

Established in 2014, the Breathe/Respira program focuses on breaking down barriers to visiting the County's outdoor facilities. Local organizations interested in applying for a competitive grant must complete an online application form by the May 8 deadline.

Parks will prioritize funding projects or programs that benefit underserved communities, provided these communities are clearly described in the proposal. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline, with grant recommendations expected in July and final approval by the Board of Supervisors, with announcements made in September.