TURI Awards $63,000 in Community Grants

Mercedes Gallagher and scuba diver Jo Smith pull invasive weeds from scenic Center Pond in Becket, instead of using chemicals.

The Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) has awarded $63,000 in grant funding to eight Massachusetts community organizations. The projects will raise awareness of the hazards of pesticides on lawns, lead use in fishing, toxics in cleaning, home building and renovations, and more.

“The variety of toxics covered under these grants, in addition to the depth of the projects, reflects the commitment I’ve seen in so many communities across the Commonwealth that are determined to create healthier neighborhoods and environments,” says TURI Community Program Manager Joy Onasch. “Leaders like these will make a difference for all of us.”

TURI awarded grants to the following organizations:

• Brazilian Women’s Group, Allston, $15,000, Natural Cleaning in the Brazilian Community Project;
• Wampanoag Tribe, Martha’s Vineyard, $15,000, Lead-Free Vineyard Fishing Project;
• School Disinfection Workgroup, statewide project, $15,000;
• Viet-AID, Dorchester and Springfield, $7,000, Healthy Floor Finisher Project;
• Center Pond Weed Project, Becket, $5,000;
• Townsend Conservation Commission, $4,000, Organic Lawn Care Project;
• Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA), Barre, Scholarships to the NOFA Organic Lawn & Turf Course;
• Lowell Green Building Commission, $1,000, Green Building Outreach Focusing on the Reduction of Toxics Project.

For more information about these projects or the TURI Community Grant Program, visit www.turi.org/community.

- Sandra_Seitz