The Stewardship Council of the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers is back with a new round of community grants to support projects that protect and enhance wild and scenic rivers. Through Dec. 29, organizations can apply for grans of up to $4,000.

Last year’s grant round provided funding to 10 projects across eight municipalities. Funded projects included support for the acquisition of open space along rivers; invasive species management; new educational trailhead signs; and school programs to teach young students the ABCs of watershed stewardship. This year, thanks to the U.S. National Park Service’s Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, the council has a total of $30,000 to distribute. Eligible applicants include nonprofits; local, state, and regional governmental agencies and commissions; tribal and First nations; and public schools and other educational institutions. All other groups, individuals, and businesses interested in applying for funding should partner with an eligible entity.

The Wood-Pawcatuck watershed, which encompasses Westerly, Richmond, and Hopkinton, R.I., and Stonington, Charlestown, North Stonington, and Mystic, Conn., includes 24 miles of “wild” river segments — the second-most “wild” miles of any wild and scenic river system in the United States and the longest wild and scenic river system in New England with 110 miles. In the watershed, 87% of the land is undeveloped or in agriculture, about 75% is forested, and 75% of all animal species found in Rhode Island are within this watershed.

For more information and to access the application, click here.