County Awards 2014 Dane County Environmental Council Grants
April 30, 2014
Casey Slaughter Becker, Office of the County Executive 608.267.8823 or cell, 608.843.8858
County Executive
More than $17,852 Awarded for 18 Projects to Help With Local
Environmental Conservation, Restoration, and Education Efforts
The county has approved $17,852 in grant awards through the Dane County Environmental Council’s Community Partners and Capital Equipment programs, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
The funds will partner the county with local nonprofits to complete 18 environmental conservation, restoration, and education projects across the county.
“We can always accomplish more when we work together,” said Parisi. “By partnering with these non-profits, we have the ability to educate and inspire others, and continue our work to improve and conserve the county’s outdoor spaces.”
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 wetland restoration, environmental education, trail improvements, equipment purchases to manage invasive species, and interpretive signage.
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.
“The projects that come before the Council are great examples of how a little can go a long way,” said Jeff Soellner, chair of the Council. “Each project will provide positive impacts throughout the county.”
Funding for Environmental Council grants is provided through Dane County’s Land and Water Legacy Initiative and generous donations from local businesses, including the MG&E foundation. 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 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/environmentalcouncilor contact Mindy Habecker at habecker@countyofdane.com, 608.224.3718.
- 2014 Awarded Environmental Council Grants -
Community Partner Grant Program 2014
Catholic Multicultural Center $785.00 Funds will be used to provide two “semesters” of three workshops with different environmental themes in the South Madison Area. These workshops are meant to inspire action on environmental action and empower people to make their community a better place.
Dane County Humane Society $842.00 Funds will be used to construct wren houses to teach youth in the Humane Heroes youth volunteer club ways to actively protect the environment and enjoy nature.
Friends of Cam-Rock Park $300.00 Funds will be used to do phosphorus testing for the Koshkonong Creek. Five sewage treatment plants are located along this creek.
Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy $777.00 Funds will be used to purchase equipment to restore an oak savanna and prairie area of the Pope Farm Conservancy within the Town of Middleton.
Friends of Silverwood Park$1000.00 Funds will be used to purchase hand equipment to help volunteers including youth to establish an 8 acre demonstration garden at Dane County’s newest park in the Town of Albion.
Ice Age Trail Alliance, Inc. $1000.00 Funds will provide professional services and supplies to restore a prairie and savanna at the Table Bluff Segment of the Ice Age Trail near Cross Plains.
The Natural Step Monona $1000.00 Funds will be used for purchase of nine environmental films for the Green Tuesdays and Thursdays. This program is being carried out in numerous communities within Dane County and the films are housed within the County Library system. Local discussion and additionally this year experiential learning exercises will be conducted.
Town of Middleton $148.00 Funds will be used for seed drilling for prairie restoration in the Goth Conservancy.
Village of DeForest $1000.00 Funds will be used for designing and printing brochures and maps to describe the Villages parks and trails and recreational opportunities and services.
Village of Marshall – Parks &Recreation Department $1000.00 Funds will be used to provide professional services to restore an oak savanna at Langer Family Park.
Total amount awarded for the Community Partners grants: $7852.00
2014 Capital Equipment Grant Program
Aldo Leopold Nature Center $1334.00 Funds will assist in purchasing equipment for adult volunteers and youth to help determine water quality at the pond at the Monona Campus.
Friends of Festge County Park $2000.00 Funds will be used to purchase a brush mower to assist with invasive plant removal on 160 acres of the park land so that it can all be restored to pre-settlement conditions.
Swamplovers Foundation $1561.00 Funds will be used to purchase professional services to remove non-savanna trees and shrubs to enhance a 17 acre remnant dry mesic prairie at the Swamplovers Nature Preserve in the Town of Berry.
Town of Sun Prairie - Parks Committee $200.00 Funds will be used to purchase safety and pruning equipment to construct and maintain trails at Generations Park in the Town of Sun Prairie.
Town of Westport $112.00 Funds will be used for a telescoping pole saw and additional saw heads for park maintenance at the Jackson Landing/Westshire Conservancy Park.
Town of Windsor – Token Creek Conservancy Committee $2500.00 Funds will be used to purchase a pond aeration system to restore the Department of Natural Resources pond that are now designated Urban Fisheries and allow special fishing regulations geared toward children and persons with permanent disabilities.
Upper Sugar River Watershed Association $731.00 Funds will be used to purchase enhanced water quality monitoring equipment to measure temperature and conductivity in the Upper Sugar River at multiple locations.
Village of McFarland $1562.00 Funds will be used to purchase a brush mower for maintaining the Marsh Woods Conservancy that borders the eastern shore of Lake Waubesa.
Total amount awarded for the Capital Equipment grants: $10,000.00