The great outdoors just got a bit of a boost in Tennessee. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) has announced that grant monies are now up to be snagged for the improvement of local waterways. These funds, aimed at spiffing up streams across the state, are ready for the taking by groups such as cities, schools, and conservationists for the fiscal year of 2024-25.

With a cool $20,000 in total grant funds to dip into, there's opportunity knocking for those ready to get their hands dirty for nature. Five grants, maxing out at $1,000 each, are being doled out to nonprofits across each of TWRA’s four Aquatic Habitat Protection regions, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

What's the cash for? Simple stuff, really – the basics needed to breathe life back into the local streams. It's all about buying the necessary gear like gloves, rakes, and trash bags. But funding isn't just limited to clean-up supplies. Those dollars can stretch to cover costs like garbage disposal fees and even promote the good work getting done with some T‑shirts and snacks for volunteers, as noted by the TWRA.

For those ready to jump in, proposals need to be shipshape with details like the applicant's tax number and contact information. Then paddle forth and describe the targeted stream and the nitty-gritty of the project at hand. Those wanting a bit more info or need to clear any hurdles can directly reach out to TWRA’s Jason Miller by ringing up (615) 781-6572 or shooting an email to [email protected]. And if that's not enough, there's always the regional Aquatic Habitat Protection Biologists for a shout in TWRA's offices spanning across Tennessee's diverse landscape.