GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Glacierland Resource Conservation & Development Council has received a big boost in federal funding to aid in its conservation efforts.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service announced on Tuesday that Glacierland RC&D was a recipient of a $300,000 grant from a program that supports forest restoration projects on non-federal land.
“Threats to forests like wildfires, insects and disease do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries, which is why these investments in healthy and resilient forests extend beyond boundary lines,” Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said. “These grants are critical for improving the nation’s forests that provide a range of environmental, social and economic benefits to the American people.”
Glacierland RC&D’s grant-winning project design is protecting forests in Northeast Wisconsin from the effects of emerald ash borer (EAB) and phragmites invasion.
“EAB has destabilized vast expanses of ash-dominated forests in northeast Wisconsin. The loss of this key canopy species could result in cascading effects with long term, severe impacts to ecosystems. Following canopy die-off these forests are highly vulnerable to Phragmites invasion, which if uncontrolled, will have devastating consequences to forested ecosystems. This project will leverage education, community outreach, and strong community conservation networks to apply targeted invasive management and climate adaptation strategies to promote resilient and diverse ecosystems for wildlife and human enjoyment into the future.”
Golden Sands Resource Center & Development Council in Stevens Point was the second Wisconsin grant recipient, awarded $311,502 by the USDA Forest Service.