The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry announces that it is once again soliciting applications for the Endangered and Threatened Native Flora Grants Program.

Grants may be awarded for activities which provide recognition of those native flora to the state that are endangered and threatened; and activities that encourage, within a controlled program, the protection, curation, propagation, reintroduction and monitoring of native flora that are identified as endangered or threatened.

Who is eligible to apply? By law, a qualified corporation is a not-for-profit corporation pursuant to s. 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and which is described in, and allowed to receive contributions pursuant to the provisions of, s. 170 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and which is a corporation not for profit incorporated pursuant to Chapter 617 Florida Statutes, and which can demonstrate, based on program criteria, the ability to protect, conserve, propagate, reintroduce and monitor endangered and threatened native flora.

If the projects receive legislative approval, funds will become available after July 1, 2013. The deadline for filing applications is July 31, 2012 and applications must be delivered to the Division of Plant Industry’s Plant Inspection office by 5:00 p.m. on that date or be clearly postmarked on or before that date.

Further information and an application may be obtained from Mr. Bryan Benson, Division of Plant Industry, Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection, P. O. Box 147100, Gainesville, FL 32614-7100, (352)372-3505, ext. 162, Fax: (352)955-2301 or email: bryan.benson@freshfromflorida.com.