NatureWize won Community Innovation Award of Ford Conservation Environmental Grants China (CEGC)

Shanghai, 21 November 2013, NatureWize received the Community Innovation Award of the Ford Conservation Environmental Grants China (CEGC). This award (50,000 RMB) not only recognizes NatureWize’s past nature education activities but also supports its new proposal: “Developing Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit and Promoting it on 0WiFi’s Internet Access Platform” in 2014. Among more than 100 applications, NatureWize was one of 12 applicants who received the Community Innovation Award.
In this proposal NatureWize is honored to partner with Children and Nature Network (C&NN) to translate its “Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit” into Chinese and put this toolkit and relative resources on a free WiFi access platform provided by 0WiFi, another partner in this project. In this way, this toolkit will be conveniently accessible via mobile phones and help Chinese families and children organize their own nature clubs to enjoy nature. 0WiFi currently has more than 300 access points in Guiyang and Kunming and plans to install more than 10,000 access points across China in 2014. With Ford CEGC Award support, NatureWize will be able to have a dedicated part-time staff for six months to encourage and help Chinese families to form their nature clubs.
About NatureWize
NatureWize began when a few families reached out to each other to provide safer, more natural environments for their children to grow and play in. Many were responding to a modern, more urban environment that increasingly disconnects us all from the joys and benefits of nature. But finding these more natural environments is a challenge, as the natural areas are squeezed away for more and more development, more driving is needed, and refuse fills many of the remaining areas. We realized that playing together in these natural areas is the easy part. The difficult part is is getting there, and ensuring that we can continue to play in natural areas. That is why NatureWize was formed. We wanted to form the platform to work together with other community members who also want to preserve nature, for health reasons, for education reasons, for joy and spiritual renewal.
About Ford CEGC
Ford’s flagship Conservation Environmental Grants China (CEGC) was introduced in 2000. Today CEGC has become one of the largest and longest-standing corporate-sponsored environmental awards in China. Due to its independent and transparent grant evaluation process, CEGC has gained wide support and respect from environmentally-concerned citizens, NGOs, media and governments in China.
CEGC aims to recognize, inspire and support grassroots efforts in China to preserve and save the environment. Over the past 13 years, CEGC has recognized 301 grassroots NGOs and individuals with a total of over RMB14 million (USD 2.22million) in grants.
Reflecting the desire to recognize the importance of taking environmental action out of a silo—and into our everyday lives—this year a new grant category “Community Innovation” was set up and the award will recognize environmental groups and individuals whose projects directly engage and mobilize members of the community in new and interesting ways.
In this proposal NatureWize is honored to partner with Children and Nature Network (C&NN) to translate its “Nature Clubs for Families Toolkit” into Chinese and put this toolkit and relative resources on a free WiFi access platform provided by 0WiFi, another partner in this project. In this way, this toolkit will be conveniently accessible via mobile phones and help Chinese families and children organize their own nature clubs to enjoy nature. 0WiFi currently has more than 300 access points in Guiyang and Kunming and plans to install more than 10,000 access points across China in 2014. With Ford CEGC Award support, NatureWize will be able to have a dedicated part-time staff for six months to encourage and help Chinese families to form their nature clubs.
About NatureWize
NatureWize began when a few families reached out to each other to provide safer, more natural environments for their children to grow and play in. Many were responding to a modern, more urban environment that increasingly disconnects us all from the joys and benefits of nature. But finding these more natural environments is a challenge, as the natural areas are squeezed away for more and more development, more driving is needed, and refuse fills many of the remaining areas. We realized that playing together in these natural areas is the easy part. The difficult part is is getting there, and ensuring that we can continue to play in natural areas. That is why NatureWize was formed. We wanted to form the platform to work together with other community members who also want to preserve nature, for health reasons, for education reasons, for joy and spiritual renewal.
About Ford CEGC
Ford’s flagship Conservation Environmental Grants China (CEGC) was introduced in 2000. Today CEGC has become one of the largest and longest-standing corporate-sponsored environmental awards in China. Due to its independent and transparent grant evaluation process, CEGC has gained wide support and respect from environmentally-concerned citizens, NGOs, media and governments in China.
CEGC aims to recognize, inspire and support grassroots efforts in China to preserve and save the environment. Over the past 13 years, CEGC has recognized 301 grassroots NGOs and individuals with a total of over RMB14 million (USD 2.22million) in grants.
Reflecting the desire to recognize the importance of taking environmental action out of a silo—and into our everyday lives—this year a new grant category “Community Innovation” was set up and the award will recognize environmental groups and individuals whose projects directly engage and mobilize members of the community in new and interesting ways.
NatureWize and Two Lakes One Reservoir Foundation Recognized as Water Champions
April 10:Guiyang Daily
1. http://epaper.gywb.cn/gyrb/html/2013-04/10/node_6.htm
2. http://epaper.gywb.cn/gyrb/html/2013-04/10/content_337451.htm
March 29, 2013 NatureWize Press Release
Guiyang, GZ– In celebration of World Water Day 2013, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA) recognized NatureWize and Two Lakes One Reservoir Foundation as the Asian Region winners of the fourth annual World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC) Water Champion Awards.
During summer camps held in July and August 2013, NatureWize and Two Lakes One Reservoir Foundation cooperated in the World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC). The two organizations led campers to test and submit the results of water from Hongfeng Lake, one of Guiyang’s major drinking water resources. Approximately 60 youth ages 6-14 participated in the event at Hongfeng Lake. NatureWize continues to make its testing equipment available to all educators in the community. The event proved to be a very powerful tool for getting more water users to engage with and understand their water resources.
Initiated in 2009, the WWMC Water Champion Awards recognize program participants for outstanding achievement in boosting awareness of water quality issues. Winners are chosen by a subcommittee of the WWMC regional panel of judges, which is composed of water industry professionals from around the world.
For more details about the award winners and how to participate in WWMC 2013, please visit www.MonitorWater.org.
March 22, 2013 WEF, IWA Press Release
WEF, IWA Celebrate World Water Day by Announcing Winners of Fourth Annual World Water Monitoring Challenge™ Awards
Recognized as “Water Champions”, winners participated in the 2012 monitoring period
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In celebration of World Water Day 2013, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA) proudly announce the winners of the fourth annual World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC) Water Champion Awards. Today also marks the start of the program’s 2013 monitoring period that will run through December 31, 2013.
Initiated in 2009, the WWMC Water Champion Awards recognize program participants for outstanding achievement in boosting awareness of water quality issues. Winners are chosen by a subcommittee of the WWMC regional panel of judges, which is composed of water industry professionals from around the world.
Water Champion Awards recognize superior levels of relevance, educational effort, support and innovation in the promotion of water quality through the WWMC program. The 2012 winners, announced today, include:
Africa
Pedagogic In-Service Training Programme (Group, Cameroon) and Dawid DeWet (Individual, South Africa)
Asia
NatureWize (Group, China) and Minakshi Arora (Individual, India)
Australia/Oceania
Seqwater (Group, Australia) and Wollondilly Anglican College (Group Runner-up, Australia)
Europe
Animex Foods (Group, Poland) and Municipal Center for Extracurricular Activities (Group Runner-up, Bulgaria)
North America
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Group, United States) and Jackie Turner (Individual, United States)
South America
Club de Ciencias Bénticos (Group, Uruguay) and Rogério Lafayette Pinto (Individual, Brazil)
Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and WWMC materials of their choosing up to a value of US $500. Items selected may include any combination of water monitoring equipment, relevant resources, or promotional materials.
Coordinated by WEF and IWA, WWMC is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. The annual program connects citizens with their local water bodies through a series of simple, hands-on monitoring tests.
Over a quarter-million visits were made by people worldwide to their local streams, rivers, lakes and other water bodies as part of WWMC in 2012. WWMC receives financial and in-kind support from the program’s primary sponsors including the U.S. Geological Survey, Xylem Inc. and Smithfield Foods.
For more details about the award winners and how to participate in WWMC 2013, please visit www.MonitorWater.org. For more details about World Water Day and this year’s commemorative activities, please visit www.WorldWaterDay.org.
About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment. www.wef.org
About IWA
The International Water Association (IWA) is a global reference point for water professionals, spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. Through its network of members and experts in research, practice, regulation, industry, consulting and manufacturing, IWA is in a better position than any other organization to help water professionals create innovative, pragmatic and sustainable solutions to challenging global needs. www.iwahq.org.
1. http://epaper.gywb.cn/gyrb/html/2013-04/10/node_6.htm
2. http://epaper.gywb.cn/gyrb/html/2013-04/10/content_337451.htm
March 29, 2013 NatureWize Press Release
Guiyang, GZ– In celebration of World Water Day 2013, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA) recognized NatureWize and Two Lakes One Reservoir Foundation as the Asian Region winners of the fourth annual World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC) Water Champion Awards.
During summer camps held in July and August 2013, NatureWize and Two Lakes One Reservoir Foundation cooperated in the World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC). The two organizations led campers to test and submit the results of water from Hongfeng Lake, one of Guiyang’s major drinking water resources. Approximately 60 youth ages 6-14 participated in the event at Hongfeng Lake. NatureWize continues to make its testing equipment available to all educators in the community. The event proved to be a very powerful tool for getting more water users to engage with and understand their water resources.
Initiated in 2009, the WWMC Water Champion Awards recognize program participants for outstanding achievement in boosting awareness of water quality issues. Winners are chosen by a subcommittee of the WWMC regional panel of judges, which is composed of water industry professionals from around the world.
For more details about the award winners and how to participate in WWMC 2013, please visit www.MonitorWater.org.
March 22, 2013 WEF, IWA Press Release
WEF, IWA Celebrate World Water Day by Announcing Winners of Fourth Annual World Water Monitoring Challenge™ Awards
Recognized as “Water Champions”, winners participated in the 2012 monitoring period
ALEXANDRIA, Va. – In celebration of World Water Day 2013, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) and the International Water Association (IWA) proudly announce the winners of the fourth annual World Water Monitoring Challenge (WWMC) Water Champion Awards. Today also marks the start of the program’s 2013 monitoring period that will run through December 31, 2013.
Initiated in 2009, the WWMC Water Champion Awards recognize program participants for outstanding achievement in boosting awareness of water quality issues. Winners are chosen by a subcommittee of the WWMC regional panel of judges, which is composed of water industry professionals from around the world.
Water Champion Awards recognize superior levels of relevance, educational effort, support and innovation in the promotion of water quality through the WWMC program. The 2012 winners, announced today, include:
Africa
Pedagogic In-Service Training Programme (Group, Cameroon) and Dawid DeWet (Individual, South Africa)
Asia
NatureWize (Group, China) and Minakshi Arora (Individual, India)
Australia/Oceania
Seqwater (Group, Australia) and Wollondilly Anglican College (Group Runner-up, Australia)
Europe
Animex Foods (Group, Poland) and Municipal Center for Extracurricular Activities (Group Runner-up, Bulgaria)
North America
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (Group, United States) and Jackie Turner (Individual, United States)
South America
Club de Ciencias Bénticos (Group, Uruguay) and Rogério Lafayette Pinto (Individual, Brazil)
Award recipients will receive a commemorative plaque and WWMC materials of their choosing up to a value of US $500. Items selected may include any combination of water monitoring equipment, relevant resources, or promotional materials.
Coordinated by WEF and IWA, WWMC is an international education and outreach program that builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. The annual program connects citizens with their local water bodies through a series of simple, hands-on monitoring tests.
Over a quarter-million visits were made by people worldwide to their local streams, rivers, lakes and other water bodies as part of WWMC in 2012. WWMC receives financial and in-kind support from the program’s primary sponsors including the U.S. Geological Survey, Xylem Inc. and Smithfield Foods.
For more details about the award winners and how to participate in WWMC 2013, please visit www.MonitorWater.org. For more details about World Water Day and this year’s commemorative activities, please visit www.WorldWaterDay.org.
About WEF
Formed in 1928, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organization with 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. WEF and its Member Associations proudly work to achieve our mission of preserving and enhancing the global water environment. www.wef.org
About IWA
The International Water Association (IWA) is a global reference point for water professionals, spanning the continuum between research and practice and covering all facets of the water cycle. Through its network of members and experts in research, practice, regulation, industry, consulting and manufacturing, IWA is in a better position than any other organization to help water professionals create innovative, pragmatic and sustainable solutions to challenging global needs. www.iwahq.org.