Department of Defense Legacy Awards Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program Awards.

View the 2011 NPLD DoD Legacy Awardees and read details about the projects here.

For an overview of the Legacy Program read the 2010 Fact Sheet or Final Report. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the National Public Lands Day Legacy Awards?

The Department of Defense (DoD) provides funds to the National Environmental Education Foundation for National Public Lands Day partnership projects on military lands open to the public for recreation. Funds are available for base-level projects on any DoD site that supports the goals of National Public Lands Day (NPLD), to improve the quality of public lands and to educate the public about natural resource issues and stewardship.

NPLD is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands. In 2010, 170,000 volunteers participated. These volunteers and their community partners contributed $15 million worth of improvements to more than 2,080 sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories. In 2010, there were 48 military sites that participated in the event through the Legacy program.

What is the date of NPLD this year?

September 29, 2012

Who is eligible for DoD funds?

NPLD projects that take place on DoD lands that are open to the public for recreation, including those managed by the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, National Guard or Navy. Lands managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers are not eligible for Legacy Award funds. 

Can a civil contractor that works for DoD apply for funds?

No, a civil contractor that works for DoD is not eligible for funds. However, a civil contractor can apply through an installation.

When are the applications due?

Information about the upcoming award cycle will be available in the spring or summer of 2012.

How much money per site is available?

Each site can apply for up to $6,500. However, there is no guarantee that the requested amount will be awarded.

If multiple projects are planned, can a site submit more than one application?

 A site can submit more than one application; however, only one of those applications can receive Legacy funding.

What are the areas of emphasis for Legacy funds?

The Legacy program focuses on projects that emphasize natural or cultural resource restoration. Examples include:

• Tree or native vegetation planting
• Wildflower or native plant seeding
• Invasive plant removal or weeding
• Trash clean-up
• Wildlife habitat improvement or restoration activities
• Wetland, streamside or shoreline restoration
• Hiking trail building and/or maintenance
• Restoration of culturally and historically significant areas, buildings and structures.
• Nature garden development
  
  

When will awards be announced?

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) usually announces the awards in late August or Early September of each year.

How is money distributed to the sites?

This year, NEEF is able to send funds directly to awarded sites in the form of a check. The site must be able to accept and cash checks; award checks cannot be made out to individuals. If your site is unable to accept and cash checks, funds must be paid to the vendors from whom the site is purchasing equipment and supplies for the project. The National Environmental Education Foundation will require awarded sites or their vendors to submit check requests and NEEF will reimburse the vendors for all items purchased that pertain to the awarded project. A receipt or invoice must accompany each check request.

What is covered by Legacy funds?

Funds may be used for tools and equipment, materials and enhancements to land used by the public.

Award funds cannot be used for:

• Conducting lobbying, carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.
• Influencing the outcome of any specific election through any means.
• Budget shortfalls, general support or endowment funds.
• Land acquisition or real estate purchases.
• Giveaways, such as t-shirts.
• Purchasing food.
• Paying for labor or salary costs.
• Scholarships, fellowships or grants to individuals.
• Any costs not directly related to the funds requested in the proposal.

Some funding for signage may be allowable provided the signage is installed by the volunteers during the event. Funding requests for signage will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Signage installation should be balanced with other projects and not make up more than 50% of the proposed budget.

When will sites be notified of the award results?

Award results are usually announced in August or early September.

Do all NPLD events have to be held on September 29, 2012?

Alternate dates for NPLD events may be allowed for those regions where weather conditions during September are prohibitive. See the application for full details.

Can Legacy funds be used for signage?

Some funding for signage may be allowable provided the signage is installed by the volunteers during the event. Funding requests for signage will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Signage installation should be balanced with other projects and not make up more than 50% of the proposed budget.

What are the responsibilities of the site manager after being awarded funds?

It is the responsibility of site managers to submit check request forms and a final report/evaluation. Awarded sites are required to complete a final report/evaluation that will document the site improvements. Satisfactory final report/evaluations include a detailed description of accomplishments and how the funds were spent. Pictures and videos of the event are highly encouraged.  Final report/evaluations are forwarded to the DoD Legacy Office as project documentation for each site. Download the 2011 check request. Evaluations for 2011 Legacy projects will be online and made available mid to late October.

What resources does the National Environmental Education Foundation provide for DoD Legacy site managers?

NEEF provides sites with access to the Manual for Site Managers, a Media Kit, free promotional posters and brochures and items of appreciation for volunteers. Visit the Resources Section for more details.

Where can I get tips and advice about organizing a Legacy/NPLD event?

Check out these resources for help on planning a Legacy/NPLD event:

• Best Management Practices Guide for DoD Event Managers: Making the Most Out of Your Project
• Pollinator Habitat Restoration for DoD Land Managers

Whom should I contact with questions about the DoD Legacy Resource Management Program or NPLD?

Tracey P. Adams, NPLD Senior Program Associate, (202) 261-6479

Jane Mallory, Legacy Resource Management Program, Department of Defense, (703) 604-1774