County Awards 2018 Dane County Environmental Council Grants
March 29, 2018
Stephanie Miller 608-267-8823
$17,327 Awarded for 16 Projects to Help with Local Environmental Conservation, Restoration, and Education Efforts
Dane county approved $17,327 in grant awards through the Dane County Environmental Council’s Community Partners and Capital Equipment programs, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi announced today.
“We can always accomplish more when we work together,” said Parisi. “By partnering with these communities and non-profits, we have the ability to educate and inspire others, and continue our work to improve and conserve the county’s outdoor spaces.”
The grant will fund 16 environmental conservation, restoration, and education projects across the county. 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.
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 and Veridian Homes Foundations. 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/environmentalcouncil
Community Partner Grant Program 2018
Black Earth Creek Watershed Association $1000.00
Funds will be used to provide education and educational materials about the new Zealand Mud Snail in an effort to try to limit its spread.
Catholic Multicultural Center $575.00
Funds will be used to provide five interactive environmental educational opportunities, provide a field trip for low-income and minority community members in South Madison, and install two bat houses near CMC in cooperation with an Eagle Scout project.
Clean Lakes Alliance $1000.00
Funds will be used to purchase transportation, marketing and educational materials, and a microphone and video equipment to use for a farm tour.
Clean Lakes Alliance $153.00
Funds used to purchase a portion of water quality monitoring equipment for the Yahara Lakes to be used by volunteers. Note the bulk of the funds for this project falls under the Capital Equipment program grants
Community GroundWorks $264.00
Funds will be used for purchasing a rain barrel kit and rain garden plants to expand environmental education at the Goodman Youth Farm.
Friends of Hoyt Park Inc. $1000.00
Funds will be used to run a controlled burn to help restore two prairies which will then be reseeded.
Madison Children’s Museum $350.00
Funds will be used to purchase insect hotel materials and the graphic design and signage for a Rooftop insect educational program to build awareness of beneficial insects and protecting their habitats.
Madison Master Gardener Association $1000.00
Funds will be used to purchase prairie plants including grasses and forbes to restore a prairie at the Dane County Family Heritage Center and part of Lake Farm Park.
Urban Tree Alliance $1000.00
Funds will be used to purchase treatment to preserve large ash trees at the Glendale Elementary School that are a focus of the campus landscape and Tompkins Drive streetscape in front of the school.
Dane County UW-Extension $985.00
Funds will be used to create two demonstration projects in the teaching gardens. One of a low-cost drip irrigation system and another of garden plant row covers that help reduce pesticide use and extend the growing season.
Total amount awarded for the 2018 Community Partners grants: $7327.00
2018 Capital Equipment Grant Program
Aldo Leopold Nature Center $2033.00
Funds will assist in purchasing a KOMBI Power Head, shaft and various attachments to assist in restoration work of native habitat at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Monona Campus.
Anderson Park Friends, Inc. $600.00
Funds will be used to purchase professional arborist services to remove invasive species from the Arthur Sholts Memorial Forest.
Clean Lakes Alliance of Dane County $2330.00
Funds will be used to purchase turbidity tubes and digital thermometers to support nearshore monitoring in all the Yahara Lakes.
Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy $416.00
Funds will be used to purchase a bike handle trimmer and helmet for working on removing invasive species.
Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy $2500.00
Funds will be used to purchase a DR Field and Brush mower to cut firebreaks and control invasive species.
Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited $463.00
Funds will be used to purchase a Stihl pole saw and extra chain for use in removing tree limbs and controlling invasive species along trout stream corridors.
Urban Tree Alliance $1658.00
Funds will be used to purchase tree watering bags, tree stakes, and a fence post driver needed to support a tree planting program for the Madison Metropolitan School District in an effort to replant from removed ash trees.
Total amount awarded for the 2018 Capital Equipment grants: $10,000.00
2018 Awarded Grants in both programs = $17, 327.00