Greenville Zoo Conservation Grants

About

  • Applications Accepted: January 8 - March 15, 2023
  • Award Announcements: May 31, 2023
  • Funding provided by: July 15, 2023

Information and Guidelines:

The mission of the Greenville Zoo is to provide an enjoyable guest experience while we support and promote conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all living things.

We have many values that support our mission, including promoting conservation and sustainability, actively seeking knowledge through science, and collaborating with others to maximize our impact and achieve greater goals.

In fulfillment of our mission, the Greenville Zoo has established a fund for local conservation projects (those occurring in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia) as well as national and international projects by utilizing funds from our Quarters for Conservation program. Conservation grants are awarded to projects that focus on Field Conservation (the conservation of free-ranging wildlife or habitat), Conservation Research, or Conservation Education (See category descriptions below). Local projects receive preferred funding priority. Projects including species and habitats at risk will be receive greater weight in application review.

*** GRANT CATEGORIES:

Conservation Research   – Projects that involve the scientific method with a primary focus on studying questions relevant to free-ranging wildlife or habitat conservation (i.e. is hypothesis or question- driven, with systematic data collection and analysis with conclusions that can be applied to conservation efforts). Examples include health/physiologic assessment of a species, collection of environmental data such as water quality, etc.

Conservation Education – Projects that raise public awareness and appreciation of wildlife conservation issues, stimulate conservation action, transfer skills and technology, and/or empower new conservation leaders, particularly those locally-based (e.g. create/print instructional materials, formal or informal education classes or curricula, capacity-building efforts, etc.)

Field Conservation – Projects that directly and actively contribute to the long-term survival of species in natural ecosystems and habitats. These projects can either impact wildlife directly or the habitats within which they live (e.g. population management, breeding and reintroduction programs, human-wildlife conflict, restoration or maintenance of a natural area, reforestation/ tree-planting, field studies of free-ranging species, etc.). Certain ex situ efforts that provide positive impact on imperiled species and their sustainability may be eligible for this category.

*Although some projects may involve two or even three categories simultaneously, please select only one that best fits the project description or the application will not be considered (as the scoring of the application is done per specific criteria assessed for each category). The zoo may adjust the category if it deems it fits better in another and will inform the applicant of this. 

New Grants Program: $300 to $1,000

  • Awarded to applicants whose projects we have never supported before
  • Grant request cannot exceed $1,000

Continuing Grants Program: Up to $3,000

  • For applicants with whom the Greenville Zoo has an established relationship.
  • An established relationship includes those applicants who have received funding from us in the past.
  •  (e.g.  applicants who have received grant funding from us previously and have successfully fulfilled the requirements of the grant awardee, including providing regular updates on project progress).

NOTE: Only one application can be submitted per person and project

Application package should include:

  • Completed application. If available, a full proposal is encouraged to be attached for reference, but all questions in the body of the application still need to be fully answered. Answers of "See attached" or similar will cause the application to not be considered. A detailed budget (estimates are acceptable). If there is a particular line item(s) that you would like funded by this grant, please specify.
  • Three photos, diagrams, or other images with captions related to the proposed conservation project.
  • Include a minimum of three professional references with contact information and affiliations. Letter(s) of reference can also be provided. 
  • At least one letter of support or collaboration is required. These should originate from an academic institution with which the applicant is working (e.g. thesis project) or from an agency and/or range country within which the project is being held to indicate collaboration and/or permission for its implementation there.
  • Applicant's Curriculum Vitae (CV) and those of the principal investigator(s) if different than applicant
  • If applicable: A map of the research or conservation site.
  • If applicable (i.e. project involves manipulation and/or handling of live animals): Please include a copy of your institution's Institutional Animal Care and Use Policy (IACUC), your project's IACUC submission and approval along with the full project design or proposal.
  • Optional: Additional articles, cited literature references, and other documents that assist in project justification or description can strengthen the application.
  • Additional details regarding your project may be requested by the Conservation and Research Committee before a decision is made.

Award Recipient Expectations*:

  • Due December 31, 2023: A mid-term report detailing funds spent to date and project progression
  • Due September 1, 2024: A year-end report that includes: Five photos with captions, accounting of all grant funds spent for the project, and wrap up information for the funded project. Format can be of the recipient's choosing.
  • Ongoing: Acknowledgement of the Greenville Zoo in any presentations and/or publications associated with the supported project(s).
    • Any changes to the project (e.g. design, methodology, study locale, etc.) or funds’ usage must be submitted in writing for approval by the Greenville Zoo prior to implementation.


* Failure to meet these conditions may affect future grant awards. A Continuing Grant applicant from the preceding year must have a mid-term and year-end report submitted before applying again. Disregard the dates on the grant application. Please follow the timeline listed above. 

grant button web

Any questions can be directed to:
zooinfo@greenvillesc.gov
or
Greenville Zoo
Conservation Grants
150 Cleveland Park Drive
Greenville, SC 29601

Conservation Grants Funded in the Past


2020

Kids for Compassionate Conservation
By: Dr. Gregg Tully of Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
Geographic Location: Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Kenya
Grant awarded: $2585

Health of confiscated box turtles and their fate following release back to the wild
By: Tracey Tuberville of University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
Geographic Location: Savannah River Site, Aiken County, SC
Grant awarded: $865

Phylogenetics and range re-delineations of four Gray-Cheeked Salamanders
By: Louisa Heidler / Dr. JJ Apodaca of Tangled Bank Conservation
Geographic Location: Western North Carolina, Asheville
Grant awarded: $865

Conservation Education of Upstate Reptiles and Amphibians
By: Leesee Chastain / Dr. Jeffrey Mohr of Southern Wesleyan College
Geographic Location: Pickens, SC
Grant awarded: $530

Recreation Activity Monitoring at Paris State Park, Greenville SC
By: Naomi Haverlick of REI Greenville store on behalf of Paris Mountain State Park FRIENDS
Geographic Location: Paris State Park, Greenville, SC
Grant awarded: $865

Engaging the Greenville Community for Hands-On Water Quality Monitoring in the Reedy River Watershed
By: Katie Callahan of Friends of the Reedy
Geographic Location: Greenville, SC
Grant awarded: $865

Wild child processing of Critically Endangered Tree Nesting Vulture Species
By: Charne Wilhelmi / Kerri Wolter of VulPro NPC
Geographic Location: South Africa: Olifants River Private Game Reserve-Limpop Provice; Omega Game Farm- North West Provice
Grant awarded: $865

Awareness campaign and declaration of protected area for a newly discovered population of the critically endangered Guatemalan beaded lizard
By: Dr. Brad Lock of Oklahoma City Zoo
Geographic Location: Eastern Guatemala, Central America
Grant awarded: $2585

Investigating Survivorship and Sleep Site in Rehabilitated and Wild Female Sunda Pangolins
By: Tiffany Chen of National Pingtung University of Science & Technology
Geographic Location: Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam
Grant awarded: $865

Ecological drivers of behavioral flexibility in rainforest lemurs
By: Meredith Lutz of University of California, Davis
Geographic Location: Maromizaha Protected Area (Toamasinia Providence Madagascar)
Grant awarded: $2585

Using LiDAR and Satellite Remote Sensing to Explore the Drivers of Seed Dispersal by Hornbills Across Spatial Scales
By: Nicholas Russo of University of California, Los Angeles
Geographic Location: Dja Faunal Reserve, East Cameroon
Grant awarded: $865

Urban Wildlife Labs
By: Jacque Williamson of Brandywine Zoo
Geographic Location: New Castle County, Delaware
Grant awarded: $865

Exploring the Development of a Captive Assurance Populations for Critically Endangered “Poeclitheria metallica” Tarantulas
By: Jackie Billotte of University of Colorado
Geographic Location: Denver, CO
Grant awarded: $865

Supporting Wildlife Clubs and school you in the North Rupununi, Guyana
By: Raquel Thomas of Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development
Geographic Location: Guyana, South America
Grant awarded: $865

Initiation of Mitigation Approaches and Education for Sustainable Conservation of Musk Deer in Buffer Zone Area of Makalu Barun National Park, Nepal
By: Tilak Thapamagar of Himalyan Biodiversity Network Nepal
Geographic Location: Makalu Barun National Park, Eastern Nepal
Grant awarded: $865

2019

Identification and Conservation of Gopher Frog Populations in South Carolina
By Lisa Lord of Savannah River Project
Geographic Location: South Low country / ACE Basin
Grant awarded: $1000

Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida
By Dr. Bruce Shwedick of Crocodilian Conservation Center of Florida
Geographic Location: Frostproof, Florida
Grant awarded: $1000

Ecological drivers of behavioral flexibility in three sympatric lemurs
By Meredith Lutz of University of California, Davis
Geographic Location: Maromizaha Protected Area, Toamasinia Providence, Madagascar
Grant awarded:  $3000

Creation of biological corridors in family plots, for the conservation of Abronia campbeli (alligator lizard)
By Dr. Brad Lock of Oklahoma City Zoo & Botanical Garden
Geographic Location: Jalapa, Guatemala
Grant awarded: $3000

Male Captive Asian Elephant Management Protocol
By Chrisantha Pinto of Elephant Conservation Center
Geographic Location: Xayaboury Province, Laos
Grant awarded:  $1000

Protection of Cloud Forest and Continued Baseline Study for Preservation of Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus and possible Ateles fusciceps
By Jacob Rose of Centro de Ensenanza Aprendizaje de Agricultura Sostensible El Socorro (CEASO)
Geographic Location: Reserva de Los Montecillos, Honduras (Biological Reserve)
Grant awarded: $960

Kids for Compassionate Conservation
By Dr. Gregg Tully of Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)
Geographic Location: Sierra Leone and Cameroon
Grant awarded: $2500

Exploring local knowledge to learn recent status of Sumatran rabbit Nesolagus netscheri in Rimba Candi forest landcape, Sumatra, Indonesia
By Dr. Muhammad Iqbal for South Sumatra Biodiversity Community
Geographic Location: South Sumatra, Indonesia
Grant awarded:  $1000

Stopping illegal lion killings in western Tanzania
By Jonathan Kwiyega of Landscape and Conservation Mentors (LCMO)
Geographic Location: Villages around reserves: Katavi-Mahale National Parks (NP), Rukwa-Luafi, Ugalla, Moyowosi-Kigosi Game Reserves (GR) and Inyonga-Mlele Forest Reserve (FR) in Western Tanzania, East Africa
Grant awarded: $2950

Evaluation, monitoring and conservation of one of the last surviving high-altitude Harlequin toad
By Dr. Lina Valencia of Global Wildlife Conservation Geographic Location: Key biodiversity area Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Columbia
Grant awarded: $1000

2018

Kids for Compassionate Conservation
By Dr. Gregg Tully of Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)
Geographic Location: Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo, Africa
Grant awarded: $994

From conflict to coexistence: Investigating drivers of leopard-livestock conflict and suitable husbandry techniques
By Aisha Uduman of University of British Columbia, Wilderness and Wildlife Conservation Trust Sri Lanka
Geographic Location: Sri Lanka, Asia
Grant awarded: $1000

Current status and conservation of Persian leopard (Pantera pardus ciscaucasicus) in Daghestan, Russia
 By Dr. Magomedrasul Magomedov of Russian Academy of Sciences
Geographic Location: Daghestan, Russia, Asia
Grant awarded: $1000

Multidisciplinary Mapping: Toward a Better Understanding of Human-Carnivore Conflict and Landscape Use by Carnivores and People
 By Christine Wilkinson of University of California, Berkeley
Geographic Location: Nakuru-Elmenteita Region, Kenya, Africa
Grant awarded: $960

ARCS Education and Outreach Workshops
By Amy Waters of Aquatic Research & Conservation Society, Inc. Geographic
Location: St. Paul, Minneapolis and surrounding areas in Minnesota and Wisconsin, USA
Grant awarded: $1000

Community based habitat restoration for the critically endangered Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti)
By Dr. Brad Lock of International Reptile Conservation Foundation
Geographic Location: Zacapa, Guatemala, Central America
Grant awarded: $2965

Ecological drivers of spatial clustering in social behavior in critically-endangered diademed sifaka (Propithecus diadema) in a new protected area
 By Meredith Lutz of University of California, Davis
Geographic Location: Dariana Region, Madagascar
Grant awarded: $1000

Using Wildlife Genetics to Alleviate Human-Carnivore Conflict in Tanzania
By Mary Burak of Yale University
Geographic Location: Maasai Steppe, Tanzania, Africa
Grant awarded: $805

Maternal transfer of radiocesium in Nerodia floridana (Florida Green Watersnake)
 By Dr. Melissa Pilgrim of University of South Carolina Upstate
Geographic Location: Savannah River Site, South Carolina, USA
Grant awarded: $734

Long-term American alligator feeding behavior in coastal South Carolina
 By Abigail Lawson of Clemson University
Geographic Location: Georgetown, South Carolina, USA
Grant awarded: $1000

Pine Snakes of Glade Farms; A Stronghold For a Vanishing Species
 By Bryan Hudson of Clemson University/Reinhardt University
Geographic Location: Glade Farm, NE Hall County, Georgia, USA
Grant awarded: $2346

Community-based conservation of endangered sea turtles nesting along the Akassa coast, Bayelsa, Nigeria
 By Ikponke Nkanta of Tropical Research and Conservation Centre, Nigeria
Geographic Location: Bayelsa, Nigeria, Africa
Grant awarded: $2800

2017

Reptile and Amphibian Monitoring Ecolab
By Tricia Kyzer of Lake Conestee Nature Park
Geographic Location: Greenville, South Carolina, USA
Grant awarded: $910

Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change & Habitat Quality on the Ecology of a Valuable Rattlesnake Predator in a Developed Environment
 By Dr. Kimberly Andrews of Georgia Sea Turtle Center
Geographic Location: Jekyll Island, Georgia, USA
Grant awarded: $3000

Conservation of the Critically Endangered alligator lizard in eastern Guatemala through Habitat Restoration and Community Forest Management: Final Phase
 By Dr. Brad Lock of International Reptile Conservation Foundation, Inc. Geographic
Location: Jalapa, Guatemala, Central America
Grant awarded: $3000

Green Salamander Distribution, Movement & Water Loss
 By Jill Newman of Clemson University
Geographic Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, South Carolina, USA
Grant awarded: $1000

Upper Saluda Watershed Interactive Mapping Project
 By Melanie Ruhlman of "Save Our Saluda"
Geographic Location: Upper Saluda River Watershed, South America, USA
Grant awarded: $1000

The Status of critically important and endangered reef sharks in the Maldives
 By Dr. Andrew Bruckner of Coral Reef CPR
Geographic Location: Maldives-Northern, Central and Southern Atolls, Asia
Grant awarded: $1000

Advancing Effective Lemur Conservation in the Face of Global Change
 By Brandon Semel of Virginia Tech
Geographic Location: Madagascar
Grant awarded: $1000

Dry Season Monitoring of Wild Giant Otters at Karanambu
 By Dr. Lucy Spelman of Creature Conserve, Inc.
Geographic Location: Guyana, South America
Grant awarded: $1000

Stopping illegal lion killings around protected areas in Western Tanzania
 By Jonathan Lucas Kwiyega of WASIMA (Watu, Simba na Mazingira- People, Lions and the Environment) Geographic Location: Tanzania, Africa
Grant awarded: $1000

Understanding social behaviour to improve the conservation of wild giraffes and to improve the welfare of giraffes in captive populations ex-situ
 By Zoe Muller of Rothschild's Giraffe Project
Geographic Location: Kenya, Africa
Grant awarded: $2187

2016

Wade Hampton Water Monitoring Team 
By R. Enggasser for Wade Hampton High School
Geographic Location: Wade Hampton High School

The Effects of Habitat Quality, Prey Availability, and Wildlife Health on the Reproduction of a Declining Predator in an Urban Landscape (Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake)
By Dr. Andrews of Jekyll Island Authority Georgia Sea Turtle Center and The University of Georgia-Odum School of Ecology
Geographic Location: Jekyll Island, GA

Survey of Sternotherus Species at Oconee State Park (turtles)
By Dr. Mook of University of North Georgia
Geographic Location: Oconee State Park, SC

Amphibian Survey of Anderson University's Wetlands
By I. Wilson and Dr. Criswell of Anderson University
Geographic Location: Anderson University, SC

Community-based conservation of endangered sea turtles nesting along the Akassa coast, Bayelsa, Nigera
By I. Nkanta of Tropical Research and Conservation Center
Geographic Location: Akassa coast, Bayelsa state, Nigeria

Conservation of the Critically Endangered alligator lizard Abronia campbelli in eastern Guatemala through Habitat Restoration and community Forest Management: Phase II
By Dr. Lock of Zoo Atlanta
Geographic Location: Jalapa, Guatemala

Completion of a Bio-Secure Facility for Captive Breeding and Re-introduction of Panamanian Golden Frogs (Atelopus zeteki)
By R. Hill of Zoo Atlanta
Geographic Location: El Valle de Anton, Panama

Building a Future, One Lemur at a Time: Identifying Eulemur rubriventer's dieatary strategies and constraints, and their implications for in situ and ex situ conservation
By A. DuBour of Northern Illinois University
Geographic Location: Madagascar

Furman University Cougar Project
By Dr. Perry of Furman University
Geographic Location: New Mexico, USA

2015

Citizen based Water Quality Monitoring
By J. Thomas Hochheimer, citizen
Geographic Location: Lake Greenwood Rivers & Streams in Laurens County, SC

Occurrence, distribution and management of at-risk upland amphibian and reptile species
By J. Holmes of Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy
Geographic Location: Francis Marion National Forest (FMNF), SC

The long-term effects of Exurbanization
By N. Weaver of Clemson University
Geographic Location: Western NC, Eastern TN

Conservation beyond protected areas
By Dr. Quinn of Furman University
Geographic Location: Upstate, SC

Conservation of the Critically Endangered alligator lizard Abronia campbelli in eastern Guatemala through Habitat Restoration and Community Forest Management
By Dr. Lock of Zoo Atlanta
Geographic Location: Guatemala

2014

Conservation of urban-rural gradients
By Dr. Quinn of Furman University
Geographic Location: Upstate SC

Bat Conservation of the Carolinas
By M. Brienza, citizen
Geographic Location: Georgetown County, SC

Complex Causes of amphibian declines
By J. Mette of North Carolina Museum of Natural Science
Geographic Location: Coastal Plain, Piedmont of Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina

Can nest boxes accelerate the colonization of Longleaf Pines?
Dr. Stanback of Davidson College
Geographic Location: Calloway Forest Preserve, Hoke County, NC

Pituophis in Georgia's upper Piemdont (northern pine snake) 
By B. Hudson of Piedmont College and Dr. Felix of Reinhardt University
Geographic Location: Northeast Georgia, Cherokee, Banks, and Stephens counties

Furman Cougar Project
By Dr. Perry of Furman University
Geographic Location: New Mexico, USA

Bacterial Water Monitoring
Save our Saluda
Geographic Location: North, Middle, and South Saluda Rivers

2013

Pituophis in Georgia's upper Piedmont (northern pine snake) 
By B. Hudson of Piedmont College and Dr. Felix of Reinhardt University
Geographic Location: Georgia, Cherokee, Banks, and Stephens counties

Bone density of bottlenose dolphin
By J. Powel of Portland State University
Geographic Location: coastal South Carolina

Citizen AAS Water Monitoring in SC
By E. Enggasser, citizen
Geographic Location: Greenville County, SC

Bog Turtle Habitat Protection – Conservation Lease Program
By C. Gentile, Western Natures Center and NC Herp Society
Geographic Location: Western North Carolina

Does nest site competition with Carolina Chickadees constrain nesting by Brown-headed Nuthatches in developed settings in the North Carolina Sandhills?
By Dr. Stanback of Davidson College
Geographic Location: Pinehurst, NC

Abronia Awareness Program
By. Dr. Lock of Zoo Atlanta
Geographic Location: Guatemala

Tiger Conservation in Dampa TR
By Udayan Borthakur of AARANYAK
Geographic Location: Dampa Tiger Reserve, Mizoram, India

Conservation of Rothschild's giraffe
By Zoe Muller of Rothschild's Giraffe Project
Geographic Location: Rift Valley region, Kenya

Enhancing Turtle Conservation
By Bui Dang Phong of Cuc Phuong National Park
Geographic Location: Vietnam

2012

Creating & Conserving an Urban Farm
By Upstate Forever
Geographic Location: Greenville, SC; adjacent to the Lowe's on Poinsett Highway

Hydrology of the Bunched Arrowhead
By W. Dipps of Furman University
Geographic Location: Greenville County, SC

Raptor Caging
By L. Hoskinson of Wildlife Rehab of Greenville
Geographic Location: Piedmont, SC

Complex Causes of Amphibian Declines in Sympatric Cricket Frogs and Chorus Frogs
By J. Mette and Dr. Micancin of North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Geographic Location: Coastal Plain and Piedmont of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina

The effects of forest management activities on community structure of stream salamanders inhabiting montane streams
By T. Surasinghe of Clemson University
Geographic Location: Nantahala National Forests and Coweeta Hydrologic Station, NC

FrogWatch USA
By B. Foster of Greenville Zoo
Geographic Location: Upstate SC

Tanzania Corridor Survey
By A. Martin of Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California Davis
Geographic Location: Western Tanzania