The Sierra Club - Lancaster Group will accept proposals for the next round of its Green Project grants through Tuesday, March 31. Lancaster County organizations with projects that promote sustainability, expand environmental awareness, and improve green infrastructure are encouraged to apply.

The program annually awards grants of up to $500 to charitable, educational, or business entities that demonstrate a commitment to the Sierra Club's mission of "exploring, enjoying, and protecting the planet" in Lancaster County. Over the past decade, 110 organizations have received these grants, supporting a wide range of environmental conservation projects.

Before applying for a grant, organizations should consider how their projects relate to ecological preservation or education. Projects may focus on topics such as storm water management, rain gardens and rain barrels, native plantings, pollinator plants, organic gardens, composting programs, and hands-on learning. The Lancaster Group will offer its expertise and labor to support the projects that are awarded grants.

Proposals should be emailed to jimsmeenan@gmail.com and include the organization's name, mailing address, and phone number; highlights of the project; and a 501(c)(3) status letter if the submission is from a 501(c)(3) group.

Winners will be announced on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, and soon after, a list of the awardees will be posted at http://www.lancastersierraclub.org.

The grant program has been supported by funds raised primarily through the Lancaster Group's annual Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike and from funds received through its participation in Lancaster's annual ExtraGive. For more details, contact Jim Meenan at 717-475-0586 or jimsmeenan@gmail.com.