MNLA Foundation
Improving the Outdoor Living Environment in the North Central Region
by Investing in Research and Education

Green Industry Shootout Sporting Clays Tournament
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 This course will be run at the beginner level for sporting clays. Difficulty level = FUN. Bring a hunting vest or wearable shell container to hold your unused and used shells. Eye and ear protection is highly recommended; ear plugs are available at the club for a small fee.
Proceeds improve the outdoor living environment in the north central region by investing in research and education.

To improve the outdoor living environment, the MNLA Foundation will focus its resources on two areas from 2009-2011.

Focus Area #1: New Plant Development and Plant Management
The north central region has a short growing season with a challenging climate of extremes. It is essential to continue to develop and identify plants appropriate for our region, as well as to develop best practices of plant management in both production and landscape settings. The plants and plant management practices must be environmentally sound for the region and economically sustainable for the green industry.

Within this focus area, the MNLA Foundation will consider funding research or education projects such as:
• Woody and herbaceous plant breeding and/or selection for improved hardiness; pest resistance; quality; size or growth habit; and appearance.
• Plant production practices.
• Plant viability in the landscape.
• Commercial viability of native plants.
• Sterile cultivars of popular landscape plants.
• Understanding consumer preferences of landscape plants and methods to market such plants.
• Innovative methods of educating the industry, students or the public about environmentally sound plant production methods or plant installation or maintenance practices in the landscape.

Focus Area #2: Youth Education and Outreach
To ignite a passion for and connection with nature, the MNLA Foundation will work to educate the region’s youth about landscapes and plants.

Within this focus area, the MNLA Foundation will consider funding research or education projects such as:
• Materials or programs to connect youth and others with the benefits of landscapes and plants.
• Innovative learning opportunities, materials or programs to inform youth and others about the outdoor living environment including related careers in nursery and greenhouse production; garden center management; landscape and garden design, installation and management; irrigation and water management; arboriculture; and hardscapes.
• Methods to increase the perceived value of plants and landscapes among tomorrow’s consumers.
• Development of a scholarship program targeting high school students who have special interest in plants, landscapes, science and the outdoors.

Qualifications
Proposals for education and research in either of these areas will be considered for funding by the MNLA Foundation Board of Trustees, provided they include:
• Outline of project’s specific objectives and how it will improve the outdoor living environment in the north central region and fit within one of the two focus areas.
• Outline of a protocol or process to reach the specific objectives.
• Citation to known references on a similar topic and how this proposal differs from or builds on existing work or projects.
• Project budget.
• List of funding requested from other sources.
• Description of innovative methods of delivering information to the intended audience, be it industry members, students, or the public. For example, it’s not enough to conduct research and have it printed in a technical journal. Research results should be communicated in a user-friendly fashion such as bullet-point printed updates or easy-to-follow website links.

Important Note: The MNLA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Consequently, contributions may be deductible as a regular business expense or charitable deduction.  Check with your accountant for the best procedure to take full advantage of the available tax deduction.  Please track your contributions from your invoices.

For information about the MNLA Foundation, call Bob Fitch at 651-633-4987or email bob@mnla.biz

For information on donating to the MNLA Foundation, call Eric Gustafson at 651-633-4987 or email eric@mnla.biz.