Latest news with #JohnKaiser
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ohio landowners can get paid to restore native grasslands
COLUMBUS — Millions in new funding is available for Ohio landowners who want to create grassland habitats that support native wildlife. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has $9 million in grants for landowners interested in restoring grasslands for species like the northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds, according to a community announcement. The program is designed to help reverse population declines in grassland birds, which have suffered from habitat loss across Ohio and the nation. Grant awards are available for both cropland and non-cropland, and landowners can receive funding on a per-acre basis or by the number of projects. Contract agreements are planned to last from one to four years. The Division of Wildlife and the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation are partnering to provide free, hands-on technical assistance to landowners. Interested participants are encouraged to contact a wildlife management consultant to start planning conservation efforts with expert guidance. 'This grassland habitat program is a win-win for landowners and wildlife,' John Kaiser, private lands program manager for ODNR Division of Wildlife, said in the announcement. 'Healthy native grasslands support pollinators, improve soil health and create vital cover for birds and other wildlife. With the right guidance and support, landowners can make a big difference.' The program is expected to evaluate long-term impacts on habitat improvements, bird populations and broader social and economic benefits, according to the announcement. Projects are customized to align with each landowner's goals, such as improving soil health, increasing recreation value, supporting livestock or enriching wildlife diversity. 'This partnership is more than just funding; it's about bringing together people who care about working lands, biodiversity, and long-term stewardship,' Matt Gardner, state regional Conservation Partnership Program coordinator for the National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation, said. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program as part of a multi-state initiative to restore native grasslands. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: ODNR offers funding for Ohio wildlife habitat restoration Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vision Fund Citizen Committee has nominated 14 future projects
Rapid City, S.D. (KELO) — 14 out of 29 projects have been nominated by Rapid City's Vision Fund Citizen Committee. They have a budget of $12 million and will now await the City Council's decision. 45 citations issued for long vehicles parked downtown The Civic Center, now named The Monument, the BMX Park upgrades, and the South and West Community Gym Centers are just a few of the over 100 projects that have been funded through the Vision Fund. The current Citizens Committee was tasked with allocating just over $12 million, with the 29 applicants requesting more than $74 Million in Vision Fund allocations. 'All of these projects, and I can't stress this enough, all of these projects are sensational. They all would have a significant impact on our community and I wish we could fund them all. I wish the mayor would give me $74 million. We did the absolute best I think we could do,' Citizens Committee Chairman John Kaiser said. This committee was formed around mid-spring and were able to tour and discuss these projects thoroughly. 'Great Vision Fund Committee as well as city staff that provided support and really all of the city staff support altogether. You see a lot of parks projects, a lot of sports projects meeting a lot of needs throughout the city. I think it hits the heart and attention of what we wanted for this and so I'm very pleased,' Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said. Sports projects were highly requested with over 30% being in that category. 'I think that when you look at sports as a whole, whether it's like the skateboarding, which is something completely unique, or baseball or soccer or whatever, it was just for us as a committee, those were the ones we felt were also in the scope of what citizens should recommend,' Kaiser said. One project request that was not recommended was a new indoor sports complex. That project requested $10 million, as new facilities for athletes are needed in town. This nomination list will now rest in the hands of the Rapid City Council after the Vision Fund Citizens Committee's presentation on Monday night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
