It seemed like a simple idea. Offer a workshop for the region’s conservation organizations to explore ways to collaborate in preserving Greater Dayton’s natural resources.

What couldn’t have been anticipated was how overwhelmingly this would be embraced by more than 40 environmental organization participants at a special workshop held by The Dayton Foundation a year ago. The result? Today The Dayton Foundation is announcing the launching of the Greater Dayton Partnership for the Environment.

The purpose of the Partnership is to continue to convene the groups, coordinate communications for information resource and public education purposes, and develop joint grant proposals to further regional conservation.

A new initiative of The Dayton Foundation, the Partnership includes the Miami Conservancy District, with additional funding support from Five Rivers MetroParks and The Dayton Foundation’s Greater Dayton Conservation Fund. As the largest single underwriter of the Partnership, The Dayton Foundation has committed up to $70,000—$35,000 a year over two years—to make the Partnership a reality for some 43 nonprofit, conservation-related organizations that have been identified as potential partners.

“This is an exciting development,” said Michael M. Parks, president of The Dayton Foundation. “What this means is that conservation groups throughout Greater Dayton can gain new resources to do their work through increased access to information, discussion and joint grantmaking opportunities. This collaboration will bring efficiencies, strengthening our region’s environmental organizations and working for enhanced preservation of the abundant natural resources with which Greater Dayton is blessed.”

The funding of this pilot effort makes possible a part-time environmental professional position to identify key funding opportunities to support the work of the collaborating environmental organizations. The Dayton Foundation has established the Friends of the Greater Dayton Partnership for the Environment Fund so that other funding partners, as well as individuals who would like to make a donation, can support the effort. The goal is to enhance the effectiveness and capacity of the region’s organizations and programs to help conserve the area’s natural environment and agricultural resources and educate the public about how they can participate in this conservation effort.