Common Sense Environmental Fund - supporting effective strategies to save the environment with tax deductible donations

Each year, CSEF evaluates scores of environmental projects submitted for consideration from around the world. Each qualified project receives a rigorous review. CSEF provides only one or two grants (per calendar year) to projects that meet stringent environmental and managerial criteria, goals and objectives. Projects must focus on human-modified landscapes and seascapes where endangered or threatened species are at risk due to habitat loss or a disrupted ecosystem. In other words, CSEF selects projects that will have the most impact and, at the same time, are impeccably managed. The organization then provides oversight to make sure the money is spent for its intended purpose.

In addition to providing grants to qualified projects, CSEF also provides youth mentoring and environmental education on endangered and threatened species.

The CSEF Board of Directors' collective education, experience and expertise enables the organization to evaluate and identify projects that rank highest in environmental, economic and managerial criteria and select projects that will “make the most difference.” The results of the evaluations are made public so that individuals can gain a better understanding of the projects and, if they choose, contribute directly. CSEF provides this no-cost service to philanthropic individuals that lack the time or knowledge to assess a project’s environmental benefit or management. This is an important and unique service.

The following are some of CSEF's partnering projects that were awarded grants.

Projects Awarded Grants

Taiji, Japan Dolphin Slaughter Campaign
T he yearly slaughter of over 20,000 dolphins was brought to CSEF's attention by the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and Academy Award winning film titled "The Cove." The majority of the world and Japanese citizens are not aware of what is happening at this Taiji cove because it is blocked off from the public and film crews are arrested. CSEF's project involves financial assistance for the creation of media and publications aimed at Japanese citizens, the majority of which are unaware of this annual practice and the sale of mercury poisoned dolphin meat, along with an aggressive letter writing campaign to key international regulatory, political and media officials to bring an end this practice.

Faroe Island Campaign
E very year between over 1,000 Pilot Whales are corralled by men in boats and forced into bays in the Faroe Islands, a North Sea Danish island mid-way between the Shetland Islands and Iceland. During a "grind" boats chase the animals into shallow bays, where the disoriented creatures are easily gored with metal gaffs. CSEF developed an aggressive petition campaign to bring an end to this annual event. Click here to view videos and read more.

The Oceania Project
E stablished in 1988, The Oceania Project is a non-profit research organization located in Australia dedicated to raising public awareness about the problems that Cetacea (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) encounter in their ocean environment. CSEF funds will specifically be used to help purchase equipment for their long term Humpback Whale identification project in Australia's Hevey Bay. Click here to view a short video and here for more information on the project.

Save The Manatees
T his group was established in 1981 by former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham and singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffett to save endangered manatees from extinction. Save the Manatees is a non-profit organization that conducts research, rescue and rehabilitation, advocacy and brings legal actions that ensure better protection for manatees and their habitat. CSEF funds will specifically be used to help purchase research equipment such as computers, cameras, diving gear, canoes, two-way radios, sanctuary buoys and radar equipment. Click here to view a short video and here for more information on the project.

GeoExplore Elephant Relocation (Sri Lanka)
The Geo Explore Foundation is primarily focused on the post-tsunami elephant-human conflict, tracing the paths and behaviors of the elephant population in some of the worse affected areas. CSEF’s grant assisted GeoExplore in the relocation of 26 elephants to adjacent islands. http://geo-explore.org/projects.htm

Institute of Global Education (Washington, USA)
This organization focuses on providing an outdoor education experience to students from around the world. Students learn in an outdoor facility about reversing environmental degradation, food sufficiency, self-realization and environmentally-connected learning. CSEF helped fund this organization’s outdoor facility Project NatureConnect. http://www.ecopsych.com/

Organization for the Conservation of Penguins (Chile)
Formed in September 2000, this organization addresses mounting threats to penguin populations world-wide. It is made up of penguin biologists, research institutes, zoos and aquaria, and other international organizations working in the field of penguin conservation, research and education. Their mission is to promote penguin conservation world-wide, by drawing international attention to the threats facing penguin populations. CSEF adopted Chilean Megellanic Penguins and educated the public about these animals. http://www.seabirds.org/index.htm

Project Delfim Bottlenosed Dolphin “Clicking” Project (Portugal)
Project Delfim has conducted numerous studies on locating the most desired feeding and breeding areas of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins within the Gabonese coastal waters. Project Delfim has a world class and highly credentialed staff that specialize in distinguishing sound patterns of mating whales and dolphins, and thereby, identifying and documenting the most highly concentrated feeding and breeding grounds worth preserving. CSEF’s grant assisted this important research. http://www.projectodelfim.pt

Reef Relief ( Bahamas)
Reef Relief is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of living coral reef ecosystems through local, regional and global efforts. This is accomplished by increasing public awareness of the importance and value of living coral reef ecosystems, and by increasing scientific understanding and assisting with the design and development of coral reef parks and protected areas. Since 1987, Reef Relief has installed mooring buoys, operated coral nurseries and conducted coral surveys. CSEF assisted with their work in identifying specific coral diseases in Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Bahamas and the United States. http://reefrelief.org Video http://www.youtube.com/reefrelief

International | Sustainable Agriculture | Water/Marine | Wetlands