Embrace A Stream (EAS) is a matching grant program administered by TU that awards funds to TU chapters and councils for coldwater fisheries conservation. Since its inception in 1975, EAS has funded more than 1,150 individual projects with more than $4.9 million in direct cash grants.
For current updates on EAS projects, visit the EAS Facebook page and follow #embraceastream on Instagram and Facebook.
In 2023, a total of $65,000 was awarded to 10 chapters and councils, helping restore stream habitat, improving fish passage, and protecting water quality in states from coast to coast.
Grant Applications
Please note the following 2024 EAS funding cycle draft deadlines:
- March 14: Online Training “How to Apply for an Embrace A Stream Grant”
- May 15: Deadline for chapters to make initial contact with local EAS rep with intent to apply
- June 15: Deadline to submit draft application to local EAS rep for review.
- August 15: Deadline for submission of final grant application using online form at tu.org/eas.
- Week of September 23: EAS Committee meeting and vote
View the Grant Guidelines & Instructions (PDF)
Example Grant Applications:
The following are the top four highest scoring grant applications from the 2023 cycle:
- 013 – Greater Boston Chapter (MA)
- 024 – Madison-Gallatin Chapter (MT)
- 328 – Sebago Chapter (ME)
- 594 – Canandaigua Lake Chapter (NY)
For your EAS application, you will need the following documents:
Once you have reviewed and worked on your draft application with your EAS Regional Representative (list below) you will apply by August 15 using the following online application:
Embrace A Stream 2024 Final Application (online)
Be sure you have everything you need before beginning the online application.
Embrace A Stream Grant Review Committee
The Embrace A Stream Committee is comprised of TU volunteers and scientific advisers. The committee evaluates all proposed projects and makes final funding decisions in the fall of each year. EAS Committee members are a valuable resource for potential grant seekers and should be a chapter or council’s first point of contact when considering an EAS application. Chapters and councils that receive money are often in contact with their EAS committee representative early and often. The members of the committee include:
Region Name/Email Phone
Chair Ron Rhodes (413) 768-4994
New England Ellen Smith (413) 624-3483
(ME, MA, NH, VT, CT, RI)
Northeast Peter Ten Eyck (412) 576-5221
(NY, NJ, PA, DE)
Mid-Atlantic Brian Bernstein (410) 262-4188
(MD, VA, WV, DC, OH, KY)
Great Lakes Mike Kuhr (414) 588-4281
(MI, MN, WI, IA)
Midwest States Mike Kruse (573) 819-5426
(IL, IN, MO, AR, KS)
Northern Rockies Vacant (contact chair)
(ID, WY, MT, ND, SD, NE)
Southern Rockies Marshall Pendergrass (970) 596-8602
(UT, AZ, NM, CO, OK, TX)
Pacific Northwest Ruth Ann Tsukuda (503) 799-5259
(WA, OR, AK)
Southwest Bill Finney (541) 398-2781
(NV, CA, HI)
Southeast Jeff Durniak (706) 892-6576
(TN, NC, SC, GA, AL, MS, FL)
Embrace A Stream Final Reports
One of the requirements for receipt of an EAS grant is a final report. Your team has two years to complete your project and file a final report. Reports are important as they communicate your efforts to allow the EAS committee to tell compelling stories for program sustainability. In your final report, highlight your proposed goals and objectives and how those were met. If there are goals and objectives that were not attained, please provide additional details to explain. Any surplus EAS funds must be returned.
Note that TU chapters who fail to file a final report for projects that received EAS funding will not be eligible to receive future EAS grants.