2009 Grant Recipients
In 2009 the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership awarded $23,100 in grants to groups working on natural resource protection in the Lakeshore Basin.
A total of 7 projects from Calumet, Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc counties in the following Teams: Click on a team below to view the projects funded for 2009.
To see the projects funded for 2007 click
here.
To see the projects funded for 2005 click
here.
To see the projects funded for 2003 click
here.
Water Resources
Projects must monitor, or improve streams, rivers, lakes, or wetlands. Also, considered are projects to improve public access for passive water-related recreation to public waterways.
Well Testing in Calumet County
Calumet Groundwater Guardians (CGGs) and Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) are offering a targeted groundwater testing event of Town of New Holstein and Town of Rantoul in 2010. Through groundwater testing events, the residents are provided convenient access to sample bottles (evening bottle distribution and collection) as well as an opportunity to learn more about groundwater and ask questions about results at an educational meeting. For 2010, the townships of New Holstein and Rantoul have agreed to offer the group-testing event if grant funds become available to assist with the costs. Rantoul has yet been targeted for a group-testing event by the LWCD, and New Holstein has not offered group testing since 2003. If awarded, grant funds will be used to offer a discount on one of three test kits available through the sampling program. The test results will be added to the County’s existing GIS database to help determine and monitor groundwater problem areas, and target other cost share grant money for installation of best management practices. In addition, participants become aware of the quality of their drinking water, as well as practices that improve drinking water quality.
Grant Recipient: Calumet Groundwater Guardians
Awarded: $3,500.00
Fiscal Sponsor: Glacier Land RC&D
Communication and Education
Projects must establish or improve communication and education about basin issues to the general public, youth, and stewardship programs.
Groundwater Protection in Kewaunee County
The Kewaunee County Groundwater Guardians (KCGG) are applying for funds for both the annual Groundwater Festival and the printing of a “Protect the Water you Drink” publication, specific to Kewaunee County. The 2009-2010 project aims to educate the community as a whole about the need for Groundwater Protection and increase their knowledge about how we can strive to protect this resource for the future. The Groundwater Festival is a one-day event held for 200 5th grade students and their teachers from Kewaunee County. They spend a ½ day rotating through hands on activities each focusing on a different aspect of groundwater resources. The festival is set for May 7, 2010. The “Protect the Water you Drink” is a 15 page colored publication that was recently developed specifically for Door County, which they have had great success in educating the public regarding soils, ground and surface water, and what homeowners can do to protect this resource. The KCGG want to replicate this effort specific for Kewaunee County since we share many of the same groundwater resource problems and topography as Door County.
Grant Recipient: Kewaunee County Groundwater Guardians
Awarded: $5000.00
Fiscal Sponsor: Kewaunee County LWCD
Drinking Water Brochure
The Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) and Calumet Groundwater Guardians (CGGs) will be combining efforts with UW-Extension to create an informational brochure for private well owners and landowners within Karst Areas in Calumet County. A similar publication had been developed for Door County. This project will develop a publication comparable to the Door County publication, but will center on the problems and challenges that are unique to Calumet County. Information will focus on Karst landscapes and will include identification of Karst features, contaminants to consider for testing, health concerns related to contaminants, and how to minimize contamination risks to private wells. Both agricultural and home practices to improve groundwater quality will be promoted in detail. Content development will be coordinated by the LWCD, CGGs, and UW-Extension. Graphic design will be provided by UW-Extension. After brochures are published, distribution will target residents located within the Calumet County portion of the Manitowoc and Sheboygan River Basins.
Grant Recipient: Calumet Groundwater Guardians
Awarded: $4930.00
Fiscal Sponsor: Glacier Land RC&D
Enhanced Teaching Tools at Woodland Dunes
Woodland Dunes is requesting support to enhance our water stewardship programs: Amphibmeander for grade 3 and Water Wonders for grades 4 -6. We will engage a wetlands ecologist to teach our Teacher-Naturalists about wetland invertebrates and how to teach children about them. We will purchase six binocular microscopes that will be used to let students discover the many invertebrates that inhabit the wetlands, many of which are too small to see with the naked eye. We will teach the students about the importance of these animals in the web of life. We will also purchase eight pair of wading boots to supplement the eight pair we have. This will make it possible for all students to have the opportunity to collect water samples in the marsh and follow the flow of water. In all classes, we will place a greater emphasis on stewardship.
Grant Recipient: Woodland Dunes Nature Center
Awarded: $1500.00
Water – A Central Theme for Crossroads at Big Creek
Over the past six years, Crossroads has hosted a number of outstanding programs on water quality. Aside from dedicated environmentalists, people have stayed away in droves. Local history lectures, wildflower talks, and programs about birds or deer attract standing-room-only crowds. To attract participants to water quality programs we need to employ stealth. A grant from LNRP would enable us to present a variety of programs related to our 2010 educational theme “Year of the Niagara Escarpment.” These programs will include a “stealth” water quality component. Any program pertaining to the Niagara Escarpment can legitimately focus on water issues. We are confident that once people become aware of these problems, they will become concerned citizens and advocates for change.
Grant Recipient: Crossroads at Big Creek
Awarded: $2500.00
Land Use and Protection Team
Projects must focus on improving land development decisions that restore or protect natural areas.
Phragmites Eradication
Detroit Island (DI), one of the Grand Traverse Islands, is located south of Washington Island, 3 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. The wetlands and forest types, soils, geological features, and moisture conditions on the island as a whole represent unique aquatic and shoreline habitats and a great diversity of plant and animal species. Colonies of invasive Phragmites australis have become established along the shorelines of Pedersen Bay and the rest of DI. Many populations are relatively isolated but are quickly expanding. Proactive and aggressive foliar herbicide treatment is needed before the colonies form dense stands that compromise shoreline habitats. Funding would be applied towards: the renting or purchasing of equipment to cut Phragmites in June, and the hiring of a licensed aquatic herbicide applicator to treat the approximately 10 miles of shoreline of DI in early fall. DILA is committed to providing supplementary matching funds, monitoring and reporting the project’s results, and performing follow-up treatments.
Grant Recipient: Detroit Island Landowners
Awarded: $5000.00
Fiscal Sponsor: Door County LWCD
Community Garden to be Completed
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. Twelve acres of land – 4 of which are wetlands – owned by the hospital (DCMH) will be transformed into a natural learning laboratory focusing on wetlands preservation, storm water management, sustainable living, local food production and the connection between health and the natural environment in which we can thrive. This project is possible through an agreement between DCMH and the DCMH foundation to lease (at no cost) this valuable land to The Community’s Garden project. The City of Sturgeon Bay is a valuable partner in this venture as they have long had a desire to better manage storm water in the area that this land is situated while preserving the wetlands and improving the land and educating the community on the importance of taking care of our environment. The Garden, once built, will not only be an area of recreation and nature appreciation, but will have classes focusing on the environment, the Lake Shore Basin, sustainable, local food production and healthy diets and natural wildlife habitats.
Grant Recipient: Door County Memorial Hospital
Awarded: $670.00