The Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program offers grants up to $3,000 to groups organizing and implementing watershed and forestry-related field trips to the NYC water supply watersheds. These grants are open to any organization, community group, 4-12th grade classroom, or other entity within New York City or the upstate regions of the Catskill/Delaware and Croton watersheds. In 2011, 14 schools and community organizations planned and explored the watersheds through bus tours. Some organizations made solo trips, like the teens at Rocking the Boat and their visit to the Ashokan Center last January. Other groups introduced their community to another; 4th graders at Stamford Central School partnered with PS 33 to connect upstate and downstate students around a watershed-based theme - clean drinking water and how it gets from one place to another. Teachers are encouraged to download the online application due January 15, 2012. Funding for the bus tour program is provided by DEP and U.S. Forest Service. If you are a teacher interested in planning a visit to the New York City watershed region to learn how New York City water quality is influenced by the working landscapes miles away, visit the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour web page or contact Jessica Olenych of Common Ground Educational Consulting at (845) 586-1600).