2023 awardees announced
Eighteen local proposals were submitted for funding to our 2023 SEWISC Assistance Program. The selection committee ultimately awarded six small grants for on-the-ground invasive species control projects which will be conducted in our region over the next few months. Here is a summary of those projects:
$2,000 was awarded to the Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary & Arboretum to control populations of reed canary grass, hybrid cattail and cut-leaf teasel. This management will enhance habitat for wildlife such as the endangered rusty patched bumble bee and the prairie crayfish, a state species of concern. SEWISC funds will be used to provide equipment and labor.
The Waukesha County Land Conservancy works to restore a prairie/oak savanna area, benefiting insects, birds, small mammals, and coyotes by providing a greater diversity of food and habitat opportunities. Their $2,000 award will be used for public educational materials and equipment to control buckthorn, honeysuckle, autumn olive, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, spotted knapweed, dame’s rocket, and white mulberry.
Invasive plant control at University of Wisconsin Waukesha Field StatiA $2,000 award was given to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha Field Station to control teasel, wild parsnip, buckthorn, honeysuckle, multiflora rose, barberry, autumn olive, Japanese hedgeparsley, black locust and spotted knapweed. SEWISC funds will provide herbicide and supplies required to implement the project.
SEWISC awarded $1,572 to the St. John’s Lutheran School for treatment of invasive Phragmites along their educational Milwaukee River boardwalk. Funds will be used for labor and equipment.
Ozaukee Washington Land Trust was awarded $2,000 to control common buckthorn and Asian bush honeysuckle at Kurtz Woods State Natural Area, promoting the survival of rare plant and bird species in southeast Wisconsin, where old-growth forest habitats are exceedingly rare. The SEWISC award will be used for labor.
A $2,000 award was given to the Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department to employ a conservation corps team to assist with management of black locust, honeysuckle, buckthorn, common and cut leaf teasel, invasive Phragmites, wild parsnip, Canada thistle, common comfrey, dame’s rocket, garlic mustard and reed canary grass within Covered Bridge County Park. The property supports many locally significant plant and animal species such as the northern strain of wild rice and a high diversity of native river mussels including the ellipse mussel.
2023 funding for this program made possible by:
