County Executive Falk Announces Second Year of Graham-Martin Foundation Gift for Plant Dane! Matching Grant Program

April 19, 2006
Marcia Hartwig, Storm Water Education Coordinator, 224-3746
County Executive

Today, County Executive Kathleen Falk announced the second year of funding from the Graham-Martin Foundation for the Plant Dane! Matching Grant Program. In 2005, a $150,000 gift from the Graham-Martin Foundation initiated the native plant and seed grant program. Coordinated by the Madison Area Municipal Storm Water Partnership (MAMSWaP) and Dane County, the 2006 program provides a matching grant up to nearly $10,000 in plants or seeds for schools and nonprofit organizations and over $400 in plants or seeds for individual applications. "Last year, this program was wildly successful,” said Falk “We thank Bill Graham and Sandy Martin for this fabulous gift and look forward to continuing this great partnership." The Plant Dane! Grant Program awarded over 100 individuals and almost 40 organizations with grants in the form of plants and seeds in 2005, resulting in over 150 acres being planted with native species throughout Dane County. The success of this program inspired the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District to establish a similar program this year with their Graham-Martin Foundation gift. "Rain gardens are a great way to beautify your yard, help clean up our lakes, and cut lawn maintenance time and costs," said Dane County Supervisor Brett Hulsey, Chair of the Lakes and Watersheds Commission. "My family converted most of our front yard to rain garden and we love it. We thank the Graham-Martin Foundation for their support of this project, and for helping to protect our lakes and rivers." Homeowners, schools and nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for a grant of plants or seeds to establish rain gardens or prairie restoration projects in 2006. Municipalities, businesses and those who received a grant last year are not eligible in 2006. Grant recipients are required to attend a workshop as a stipulation to receive the plants or seeds. Grants will be awarded in the form of plants and seeds. Recipients must provide half of the cost of the plant or seed order as a match. No cash awards are given. Projects must be completed in 2006. Go to www.myfairlakes.com for an application. The Plant Dane! Matching Grant Program deadline is May 12, 2006. Grant recipients will be given an order form, which is due June 9 with a check for half of the amount of their plant order. The 2006 Plant Dane! Matching Grant Program is possible through a $180,000 gift from the Graham-Martin Foundation. # # #