Wisconsin Legislature: 2007-05-02 Assembly Journal

As you know, Wisconsin's annual grant to a nonstock, nonprofit corporation for urban land conservation (Sec 23. 0957) was awarded to the Urban Open Space Foundation in 2006. The grant has made an extraordinary difference in helping our Foundation accomplish its mission.

As a grant recipient, UOSF is required each fiscal year to submit a report detailing the activities for which the grant was expended. Copies of the report are to be submitted to “the Department of Natural Resources and the appropriate standing committees of the legislature as determined by the Speaker of the Assembly or the President of the Senate." It is my pleasure to submit to you the following report.

Thank you for your assistance in making this grant program available. State support is critical to our efforts to promote urban land conservation in Wisconsin through urban forest protection and restoration and water resource enhancement. We at the Urban Open Space Foundation are committed to safeguarding, enhancing and restoring the function of urban natural systems where the majority of Wisconsin's citizens live. In the attached report you will see how, with your support, our actions have improved air, water, and soil quality, enhanced ecological systems, reduced flooding, provided jobs, increased property values, enhanced public health and food security, strengthened community capacity, and promoted cultural identity and sense of place.

If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly at the numbers below.

Sincerely,

Heather Mann

Executive Director

Referred to committee on Natural Resources.