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County Executive's Office

Falk and Environmental Council Announce Conservation Grants

April 11, 2011
Topf Wells, 266-9069 or Mindy Habecker, 224-3718
County Executive

 

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and the Dane County Environmental Council announced $11,800 in grant awards for 12 projects that restore natural areas and promote conservation in Dane County. 

 

”These grants target modest amounts of funds to local dedicated conservation groups, who then accomplish a lot of great restoration work throughout Dane County.  My thanks to these 12 local organizations and the Environmental Council for their great work,” said Falk.

 

Examples of this year’s projects include invasive species removal at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and the UW-Arboretum, landscape improvements along the Ice Age Trail, native mussel restoration in Koshkonong Creek, and new educational signage near Lake Wingra. 

 

The Dane County Environmental Grants Program awards funding to a diverse group of nonprofit community organizations, school districts, and municipalities.  All of the projects must take place in Dane County and provide a benefit to Dane County residents.   

 

Funding for these grants is provided through Falk’s Land and Water Legacy Initiative and generous donations from local businesses and individuals.  Most grant recipients also provide matching funds in order to complete their projects. 

 

The Dane County Environmental Council is a seven-member panel appointed by Falk 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 or contact Mindy Habecker at habecker@co.dane.wi.us or 224-3718.

 

2011 Dane County Environmental Council Awarded Grants

 

Community Partner Grant Program

 

The Natural Step Monona:  Green Tuesdays Films and Lectures            $995.47                        Funds will purchase environmental films on aspects of sustainability.  These films will be shown in multiple Dane County communities including Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Middleton, Mount Horeb, Oregon, Edgewood College, and Monona for a (Green Tuesday (Wednesday or Thursday)Films and Lectures on Sustainability educational series.  Each of these communities and the UW-Nelson Institute will be augmenting their community program with other events and offerings.  The films will then be housed in the Monona Public Library where others can borrow them in the South Central Wisconsin Library System.

 

Friends of Cam-Rock Park            $435.25                        Funds will be used to purchase waders and other related equipment and supplies to restore native mussels in the Koshkonong Creek.  Since the Rockdale Dam was removed 10 years ago, water quality monitoring has improved enabling these endangered mussels to be able to be reestablished in the creek.

 

Friends of Donald Park            $502.46                        Funds will be used to buy equipment to develop and maintain the natural areas and trails of Donald Park that volunteers can use.  Last year alone volunteers contributed over 4200 hours of labor.

 

Lussier Community Education Center            $400.00                        Funds will assist in purchasing equipment and supplies for economically disadvantaged youth to engage in water-related community service learning projects and the creation of educational displays at 3 community centers regarding a summer program focused on canoeing and discovering the Yahara Waterways.

 

Marshall Parks and Recreation            $374.84                        Funds will be used for interpretive signage for the existing trails at Charles Langer Family Park in Marshall, WI.  The signs will provide education about the flora and fauna in the park.

 

Capital City Chapter of the Muskies            $997.00                        Funds will be used to assist with providing interpretative signage to education the public regarding muskie biology and spawning behavior where the fish can annually be observed each spring at the foot of the Lake Wingra dam.

 

Swamplovers Foundation                        $900.00                        Funds will be used for native landscape restoration using the assistance of professional consultant.  The work will reduce the abundance and spread of invasive plants along the Ice Age Trail, Table Bluff segment.

 

Wheels for Winners                        $998.00            Funds will be used for buying parts to refurbish donated bikes for Madison school-aged youth.  The youth who will earn the refurbished bikes will complete 15 hours of community service.  Youth matched with vetted experienced bicycle mechanics will work on the donated bikes.

 

Total amount awarded for the Community Partners grants:  $5603.02

 

Capital EquipmentGrant Program

                       

Aldo Leopold Nature Center             $1689.00             Funds will assist in purchasing equipment to assist in removing invasive species, re-establishing sections of the Leopold Interpretive trail, and creating an educational area featuring native species surrounding a new facility at the Monona Campus.

 

Friends of the Arboretum                        $1678.75                        Funds will be used to contract with a professional land management company to perform restoration including removal of invasive shrubs and trees in a high quality remnant dry lime prairie at the Raymond Road site also know as Pasque Flower Hill.

 

Madison Area Permaculture Guild             $2125.00            Funds will be used to purchase a water system pump capable of providing the watering needs of a hoop house used by the Permaculture Guild to grow native plants and herbs that will be used transplanted to other permaculture sites and to offer workshops at that location.

 

Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy                        $701.25            Funds will be used to purchase a chain saw and related equipment for use in removal of invasive plants such as mature honeysuckle and buckthorn along the edges of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

 

Total amount awarded for the Capital Equipment grants:  $6194.00

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