Thorn Creek Audubon Awards Grant to Campus Project
Each year, Thorn Creek Audubon awards grants up to $500 for local projects that support wildlife protection, habitat restoration, or environmental education. Grant applications are reviewed quarterly. The newest TCAS Environmental Grant recipient is:
Expand College Campus Ecosystem Diversity: South Suburban College (South Holland, Ill.)
The College has been developing the campus grounds to sustain a diverse living laboratory for environmental education courses and to support local wildlife. In addition, students are encouraged to act as citizen scientists by submitting bird observations on campus to eBird.
The campus now has most tree species native to Illinois and a rain garden with native wetland flora. The next phase for the campus ecosystem is adding native herbaceous plants to an area being converted from mowed lawn to wildlife habitat.
The grant will be used to obtain a variety of native plants to provide even greater diversity of food sources for migrating and breeding birds, pollinators, and herbivorous insects. Installing the plantings will be part of an educational activity with students and staff.
Through its annual grant program, Thorn Creek Audubon aims to increase habitat conservation, environmental education, and wild bird appreciation. Local organizations are invited to submit proposals for grants of up to $500. Details are on the TCAS website at: Grants.
The Environmental Grant program and other chapter projects are supported by Thorn Creek Audubon member dues and contributions.
Congratulations to South Suburban College. We look forward to the results of the project.
November 15, 2022