advertisement

Fermilab Natural Areas awarded $12,000 grant for Shrubland Restoration Project

Fermilab Natural Areas received a $12,000 grant through DuPage Foundation’s Community Impact grant program support for the restoration of the Sparrow Hedge Shrublands.

Shrubland birds have declined by about 70% in recent decades mainly attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation. Historically this area has supported populations of many shrubland birds, such as Yellow-breasted Chat, Bell’s Vireo, and Clay-colored Sparrow.

Over time, the area has become overgrown and degraded, eliminating the herbaceous areas that are required for foraging by most shrubland birds.

Volunteer bird monitors have noted that some bird species have completely disappeared from the area. This project involves extensive efforts to continue the removal of invasive and undesired plants and establishment of native shrubs and plants.

The grant will help Fermilab Natural Areas sponsor two Robert F. Betz interns to work on this important project.

The Robert F. Betz Internships are a joint education initiative under a formal Cooperative Research and Development Agreement between FNA and Fermi Forward Discovery Group, LLC (FermiForward), as manager and operator of Fermilab.

The internships provide a 10-week experience on the Fermilab site for candidates with a background in biological sciences. Interns gain a broad understanding and practical experience in ecological restoration practices.

DuPage Foundation awarded nearly $580,000 to 56 not-for-profit organizations across DuPage County through its fall discretionary grant programs — Community Impact, Arts DuPage, and Glen Ellyn Fund.

This vital investment in education, environment, animal welfare, and arts organizations will directly empower these organizations to continue their critical work, making a real and lasting difference in the lives of countless residents, and affirm DuPage’s reputation as a destination for the arts.

Fermilab Natural Areas is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer network that is an independent organization not formed under, part of, or funded by the U.S. government/Department of Energy or FermiForward. Founded in 2006, the mission of FNA is to: restore, study, and manage the natural areas and resources of Fermilab to maintain and improve their ecological health and biodiversity; and to inform and enrich local residents’ and employees’ knowledge of the natural areas of Fermilab.

Fermilab Natural Areas is honored to receive the DuPage Foundation Community Impact grant. It will allow the nonprofit to support two Betz interns next year. FNA depends on memberships, donations, merchandise sales, and grants to fund our operations.

“We are proud to share that 72% percent of eligible grant applications submitted this fall received funding,” said Barb Szczepaniak, DuPage Foundation vice president for programs. “Our grant program exists because of generous donors who have made unrestricted gifts or established endowed field-of-interest funds at the foundation.

“These ‘forever funds’ are invested wisely and generate income that fuels our discretionary grantmaking. While the number of requests we receive always exceeds the amount of funding available in our budget, this cycle we received $217,550 in additional support for grants from local funders and our donor-advised fund partners,” Szczepaniak said. “By working together, we are providing critical support to our community’s not-for-profits. That’s the power of coordinated impact at work!”

For further information regarding Fermilab Natural Areas, visit www.fermilabnaturalareas.com.

About DuPage Foundation

DuPage Foundation, a 501(c)(3) community foundation, is DuPage County’s champion for philanthropy. The foundation manages more than $145 million in assets and has awarded more than $100 million in grants since its founding in 1986. Individuals and organizations seeking to provide impactful support to address critical issues in DuPage County and beyond can create powerful customizable gift solutions and partnerships through DuPage Foundation. Learn more at dupagefoundation.org.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.