Dane County Awards 2021 Environmental Council Grants
September 21, 2021
Ariana Vruwink, 608-267-8823
County Executive
$11,163 Awarded to 10 Projects to Help With Local Environmental Conservation, Restoration, and Education Efforts
Today, County Executive Parisi announced the Dane County Environmental Council’s Community Partners and Capital Equipment grant programs will award $11,163 to 10 projects to help with local environmental conservation, restoration, and education efforts.
“By partnering together, our community can advance efforts to improve and conserve our outdoor spaces, which have become increasingly important during the pandemic,” said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi. “Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients. We look forward to the positive impact these projects will have on the Dane County community.”
Dane County Environmental Council grants award funding to a diverse group of community organizations, school districts, and municipalities. Examples of this year’s projects include prairie and woodland restoration, environmental education, trail improvements, pollinator awareness and protection, and water quality monitoring. All of the projects must take place in Dane County and provide a benefit to Dane County natural resources and residents. A full listing of grant recipients can be found below.
Funding for Environmental Council grants is provided through Dane County’s Land and Water Legacy Initiative. Grant recipients also provide matching funds in order to complete their projects.
The Dane County Environmental Council is a six-member panel appointed by Parisi and confirmed by the County Board. The Council assists groups in recognizing and protecting natural areas in Dane County and assumes an educational role in the awareness, conservation and protection of the environment.
For more information on the Dane County Environmental Council, visit: http://www.countyofdane.com/commissions/environmentalcouncil
2021 Community Partner Grant Program
Catholic Multicultural Center | $760.00
Funds will be used to support environmental education programs for the upcoming year.
City of Sun Prairie | $1,000.00
Funds will be used for invasive species removal to help restore the woodland in Sheehan Park.
Friends of Badfish Creek Watershed | $902.90
Funds will be used to determine the source of E. coli in Badfish Creek by funding the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene to perform microbial source testing.
Friends of Hoyt Park | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to purchase professional services to conduct a prescribed burn in the park’s prairies.
Ice Age Trail Alliance | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to purchase hand tools, seed collection supplies, and signage for volunteer events to promote use of the Ice Age Trail in Dane County.
Madison Children’s Museum | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to develop a pollinator exhibit at the Museum that will increase the understanding of pollinators and the role that native plants play in maintaining biodiversity.
Olbrich Botanical Society | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to purchase spring ephemerals and bulbs that will provide early-spring food availability for pollinators.
Sustain Dane | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to plan, develop, and coordinate a Lunch & Learn series that will focus on benefits of native plants for runoff pollution mitigation and pollinator protection.
Total amount awarded for the 2021 Community Partners grants: $7,662.90
2021 Capital Equipment Grant Program
Ice Age Trail Alliance | $2,500.00
Funds will be used help purchase brush mowers and blades to help the Alliance’s Dane County Volunteer Chapter and Alliance staff to maintain trail segments throughout Dane County.
Silverwood Park | $1,000.00
Funds will be used to upgrade their classroom to better support their K-12 education programs that focus on sustainable agriculture.
Total amount awarded for the 2021 Capital Equipment grants: $3,500.00