Included in our Spring 2015 grant cycle, the Foundation assisted the Gaylord Nelson Audubon Society in funding “The Birds, Bugs and Blooms Bash” weekend festival which occurred in June this year. This nature festival’s goal is to provide education to community members on wildlife and conservation issues within the Chippewa Valley. Seventy-eight individuals participated in this 2 day festival event in an opportunity to appreciate nature and be exposed to conservation issues within the area, including Tainter Lake, invasive species and the current state of bees. One aspect of the event the Foundation assisted in funding went towards keynote speakers and other presentations which occurred every hour on June 6th. Other events during the festival included field trips and workshops covering topics ranging from bluebirds to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly, landscaping for yard birds, hands-on nature photography, and poisonous snakes of Wisconsin. This was the first year the festival has taken place and have intent to continue this weekend event every year. To learn more about this organization, please visit their website at http://gaylordnelsonaudubon.org/
By: Laura Giammattei