Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership awards grants to local water groups PDF Print E-mail
Written by Times-Journal   
Thursday, 28 January 2010 13:41
    On January 6, the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, Inc. (LNRP) awarded $23,100 in grants to support the preserving, promoting and protecting of water quality and natural resources in Northeast Wisconsin. Seven projects from Calumet, Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties received these awards, ranging from $670 to $5,000.

    A $4,930 grant will help the Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) and Calumet Groundwater Guardians (CGGs) join forces with UW-Extension to create an informational water brochure for private well owners and landowners within Karst (fragile soils) areas in Calumet County. 

    These two organizations will also offer well testing at a discount for residents of the towns of Rantoul and New Holstein with a $3500 award. This information will allow monitoring of problem areas and adding the data to the county’s database.

    “We provide funding to grassroots groups with limited revenue located in the Lakeshore Basin, the watershed encompassing Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties and the eastern part of Brown and Calumet counties, explains LNRP Executive Director Jim Kettler. “Our organization promotes wise stewardship of ground and surface waters, forests, soils, wildlife and habitat by fostering community partnerships, providing grants, and offering other assistance to projects designed to protect and improve the watershed.”

Dominion, owner of the Kewaunee Power Station, provided these grant funds. They had offered $15,000 as a challenge grant, partially matched by other foundations, agencies and individuals. In three previous grant rounds, LNRP awarded a total of over $88,000 to 38 projects.  Projects are selected by Grant Advisory Teams composed of knowledgeable volunteers from throughout the Lakeshore Basin. The members of the three teams included natural resource professionals, scientists, teachers and leaders of environmental organizations.

    The Kewaunee County Groundwater Guardians will use their $5,000 grant for their annual Groundwater Festival and the printing of a county-specific “Protect the Water You Drink” publication. 

    A $1500 grant will help Woodland Dunes Nature Center enhance their water stewardship educational programs for elementary school students, allowing them to purchase additional microscopes and wading boots for examining aquatic species.

    Crossroads at Big Creek, located in Door County, will use their $2500 grant to present a variety of programs related to their 2010 educational theme, “The Year of the Niagara Escarpment.” These programs will underscore the importance of improving and maintaining water quality throughout the Lakeshore Basin.

    Detroit Island is one of the Grand Traverse Islands located south of Washington Island, three miles off the tip of Door County.  Detroit Harbor Preserve, which includes DI’s Pedersen Bay, is one of the most productive areas for spawning Smallmouth Bass in northern Green Bay.  Through a $5,000 grant, its shorelines will be treated to manage and eliminate invasive species.

    The Community’s Garden is a collaborative project undertaken by Door County Memorial Hospital, the City of Sturgeon Bay, the UW Extension, Crossroads at Big Creek, The Master Gardeners of Door County and the Door County YMCA.  The $570 award will help them further develop their extensive garden and use the facilities for public education.
Share Link: Share Link: Google Yahoo MyWeb Del.icio.us Digg Facebook Myspace Reddit Ma.gnolia Technorati Stumble Upon