By Mickey Schommer
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – The Baird Creek Preservation Foundation (BCFP) has been offered a $25,000 match for February.
The BCPF works to preserve the habitats and natural spaces surrounding and within Baird Creek, which includes land protection, habitat restoration and creation, trail maintenance and environmental education.
The BCPF is currently working on two big projects which includes habitat creation for the endangered Rusty Patch Bumble Bee and the restoration of more than 45 acres of wetland.
The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Habitat project focuses on creating a habitat in order to revive the species.
“The easy way to [summarize] it is ‘removing all of the bad stuff and putting the good stuff back in.’ So, taking invasive species out and planting native wildflowers and habitat-types of species that encourages feeding, foraging, nesting – all of the things that the bumble bees need to survive,” said BCPF Executive Director Holly Baseman.
Baseman said that the foundation also bought 45 acres of degraded habitat in the Baird Creek watershed for their wetland restoration project. The land must be completely restored back to native habitat, which includes wetlands and prairie areas that encourages water quality and provides places for migrating birds and waterfowl.
“We want to create a natural oasis and have a positive impact on the watershed area,” she added.
The wetland project has received some funding, but the BCPF is still trying to find the remainder.
Baseman said that part of the project’s costs will be offset by a $25,000 match from an anonymous member of the foundation.
“This member of the foundation, whose been a member for a very long time, who’s turning 80, said ‘You know what, I want to give [the BCPF] $25,000 as a pledged match. So, if you can raise $25,000 in the month of February, I will match it to put towards this project,’” she explained.
This year, the BCPF is a participating organization of Give BIG Green Bay, which Baseman hopes will provide additional support for their projects.
“We’re trying to get the word out so that people know that we’re trying to do these huge environmental projects, and between the two of them, restoring 100 acres,” said Baseman.
The foundation understands that this month is not only a month to celebrate their projects, but also to reflect on their accomplishments as their founding member, Paul Hartmann, passed away.
“We’re trying to give thanks because we wouldn’t be doing these ginormous projects and protecting nature if it weren’t for the fact that he started these great places,” said Baseman.
For more information, visit bairdcreek.org/donatenow.