For the City-Times

Local efforts to care for our state’s natural resources were recognized by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, which provided $1,000 through its C.D. Besadny Conservation Grants program to support an Emerald Ash Forestry Outreach Campaign.

“Our Foundation promotes conservation education, saves endangered species, and protects public lands and waters. The Besadny Grants fund small projects that have a big impact in local communities. This year, we gave away more than $26,000 to 30 projects across the entire state of Wisconsin. It was a very competitive process, and we’re pleased to support the wonderful work of the Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development Council,” said Ruth Oppedahl, executive director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

“The Emerald Ash Borer Urban Forestry Outreach Campaign is focused on working with municipalities and landowners to teach recognition of, and preparedness for, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), thereby reducing the threat of sudden tree loss and costs associated with disposal. EAB is an exotic beetle responsible for the loss of millions of ash trees in the Midwest. While the spread of EAB to Central Wisconsin is likely inevitable, the early identification of EAB infestation on public and private property will reduce the financial impacts of rapid tree loss and disposal,” said Mike Copas of Golden Sands RC&D.

The C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program promotes the responsible stewardship of Wisconsin’s natural resources at the local level by providing matching grants for small-scale, natural resource projects and programs.

Named for C.D. “Buzz” Besadny, former head of the Department of Natural Resources and co-founder of the Natural Resources Foundation, the program honors Buzz Besadny’s dedication to the conservation of Wisconsin’s natural resources. Projects are also supported through the Foundation’s Teachers’ Outdoor Environmental Education Fund. Public and private organizations, including schools and governments, may apply for the grants.

“Grants awarded this year ranged from $500 to $1,000 and must be matched 100% by recipient organizations either through cash or in-kind donations,” said Oppedahl. “Since 1990, the Besadny Grants have contributed more than $378,000 to nearly 500 projects, covering every county in our state.”

Besadny Grant-funded projects in 2013 include expanding citizen-based monitoring in the Bad River Watershed, monitoring and surveys of finches in Minocqua, support for a natural resources internship program in Buffalo County, a nature signage project in Wausau, and support for rain gardens, honey bees, and urban forests, and many other projects across Wisconsin.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since 1986, the Foundation has worked with citizens, businesses, non-profits, and the government to promote the protection and enjoyment of Wisconsin’s public lands, waters, and wildlife. The Foundation has contributed more than $4.6 million to conservation projects throughout the state. For more information, visit WisConservation.org.

Golden Sands Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council, Inc. was established in 1972. Our goal is to support the improvement of Central Wisconsin’s economy in ways that conserve its natural resources at the same time. We network within the counties of Adams, Juneau, Marathon, Marquette, Monroe, Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, and Wood. We are an independent, not for profit 501(c) 3, non-partisan organization. Golden Sands RC&D, GoldenSandsRCD.org