| Name | Darlene |
|---|---|
| Last Name | Carlson |
| Home Address | 659 Canyon Park Dr Trenton, GA 30752 United States |
| Organization Name | Chattanooga Audubon Society |
| Describe Your Role In The Organization | I am the Executive Director responsible for all aspects of the agency. |
| Organization Address | 900 N Sanctuary Rd Chattanooga, TN 37421 United States |
| Website | |
| Best Phone Number To Reach You | 423-892-1499 |
| Alternate Phone Number | 352-464-4316 |
| Email Address | dcarlson@chattaudubon.org |
| Alternate Email Address | jwhitehorn@chattaudubon.org |
| Please Describe Your Project In Detail | The COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the importance of access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities for the health and well-being of all. Every Hamilton County resident should have the opportunity to benefit from spending time outdoors. Unfortunately, people with disabilities are often excluded from outdoor opportunities, usually due to physical barriers, lack of understanding of diverse needs and experiences, or funding shortfalls. The Chattanooga Audubon Society (CAS) is requesting funding for the repurposing of an existing trail at its Audubon Acres (AA) location so it can be used by its physically disabled visitors. The request will also include the addition of an accessible bird blind on the trail. (A bird blind is a structure that lets you watch birds/wildlife without being seen.) The trail is set in a heavily treed section of the AA property, where visitors may experience nature at its fullest. Unlike other area parks, this trail will help visitors observe wildlife easily and present opportunities for nature photography. No dogs or bicycles will be allowed on this trail, thus providing a serene and uninterrupted natural experience. Because of its location in East Brainerd off of Gunbarrel Rd, Audubon Acres is reachable by many county residents and serves a broad geographic community. The Chattanooga Audubon Society is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1944 and Audubon Acres is the first conservation land trust established in Hamilton County. Our location and deep-rooted connection with the community makes AA a perfect location for such a trail. The trail is roughly three-fourths of a mile long and the material chosen to pave the trail is called Polypavement (www.polypavement.com). This material is far less expensive than concrete or asphalt with the same lasting benefits. The trail will include the bird blind feature and benches will be placed strategically along the length of the trail. The total project cost is $22,312.00 and a detailed budget has been prepared and is available upon request. |
| Please explain how your project meets the requirements of the American Rescue Plan | As inferred in the Project Detail Section of this proposal, the pandemic has revealed that outdoor activities are essential for the mental-health of many citizens. It is important that the under-served physically disabled population in Hamilton County be able to have the full nature experience. This proposal specifically addresses the section on the City of Chattanooga’s website that states: “In addition to the extensive federal eligibility requirements, the City of Chattanooga is focused on time-limited investments that catalyze lasting change in our city, focus on disproportionately affected communities, and have a clear plan to demonstrate impact.” Excerpted from: https://live-american-rescue-plan.pantheonsite.io/apply-for-funding/ The impact of this trail will be easily documented by simple counts of trail use. Since we are starting at a baseline of zero, admission records will allow CAS to accurately record and report visitor use. This data can easily be aggregated and shared on website and social media platforms. One last item of note regarding this proposed funding: Funds received for the project will be managed by the Executive Director (ED) of CAS. The ED has extensive fiscal management experience as a Chief Financial Officer from previous work at large non-profit organizations. The ED also has widespread experience with federal reporting requirements and proper documentation processes, including training on OMB Circular A-133. CAS uses QuickBooks Online (QBO) as its financial tracking and reporting system. All fiscal transactions for this project will be recorded separately in QBO, enabling at-will report generation for accountability and management purposes. |
| Where would your project take place? | Audubon Acres-900 N Sanctuary Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421 |
| How much will your project cost in total? | 22312.00 |
| Do you have any matching funding sources from other local governments, private entities, non-profits, or philanthropic entities for your project? | No |
| Please describe the source and list amounts of any other funding. | |
| What portion of the project are you asking the city to fund? | |
| If funded, when would your project start? | August 10, 2022 |
| How long would your project take to complete? | Approximately 6 months. |
| What milestones would you use to measure your project’s progress? | The main milestone will be trail completion. Intermediary trail work will also be documented with photographs as trail completion progresses. Since this project will have a short completion time of approximately six months or less, it presents a wonderful opportunity for CAS to showcase its dedication to the community and conservation practices. |
| How would you ensure accountability and transparency throughout the project lifecycle? | Because of the nature of this project, accountability and transparency will be highly visible. At any point in time, city staff, community members, elected officials, etc., will be able to visit AA and view the work progress. CAS will also be able to provide detailed financial statements generated by our accounting system any time upon request. |
| If successful, how would your project benefit the community? | By having a new trail and bird blind that can accommodate the physically disabled population in Hamilton County. |
| How will you attract community buy-in for your project? | Community buy-in will be garnered through membership newsletters and various other sources. CAS currently has about 860 active members, and our membership will be made aware of this progress through targeted marketing. Press releases will announce the ARP funding as well as trail completion. Website and social media (Facebook and Instagram) will document progress as the trail moves toward completion and celebratory posts will be created when the trail is open. |
| Is there anything else you would like us to know about your project? | Yes. Since August 2021, CAS has partnered with the Boyd Buchanan School. Led by Jeff Ingram, Director of Service Learning at Boyd Buchanan, high school students arrive weekly on Wednesday afternoons. These students are the actual “trail constructors.” They have been working to clear the repurposed trail (poison ivy removal, privet pulling, etc.), which is approximately 90% cleared at this time. CAS will also engage Boyd Buchanan to help install the Polypavement should this proposal be funded. The project will be overseen by a Project Manager/Job Foreman, who will be working with Mr. Ingram and the students during the paving process. |