For more information:
James Tye 608.255-1000, 608.628.6655 james@cleanlakesalliance.com
Friday CLA Event to Feature Grant Presentation and 2012 State of the Lakes Report Release
MADISON, Wis. – The CUNA Mutual Foundation today announced it is providing a 4-year grant totaling $100,000 to the Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA) community engagement strategy, known as “Renew the Blue.”
The intent of Renew the Blue is to jumpstart community involvement and increase group and individual participation activities that protect and improve Madison-area lakes.
Investing in community assets is one of the three strategic pillars of CUNA Mutual Group’s corporate philanthropy, said Steve Goldberg, executive director of the CUNA Mutual Foundation.
“CUNA Mutual decided to help fund CLA’s initiative because its intentions resonate with CUNA Mutual’s employees. When our company was formed in 1935, its headquarters overlooked Lake Mendota. Our employees want Madison’s lakes to return to the shining and healthy community assets they once were,” Goldberg said.
He noted no previous lake quality efforts had combined research, a business plan and the alignment of key stakeholders in this initiative in such an impressive way. “Renew the Blue is the most disciplined, comprehensive, strategic and sustainable approach ever mounted in the history of Madison’s lakes.”
By leading efforts to support CLA’s community engagement strategy, CUNA Mutual Group hopes local families, kids, employers, residents and visitors will feel a sense of participation and pride in the lake quality effort and offer their support.
“We hope the plan to reduce the phosphorous content of our lakes by 50 percent in the next 20 years is successful, and that all of us who live or work here will notice the progress – and smile about it,” Goldberg added.
CUNA Mutual will present its grant to CLA at the organization’s 2nd Annual Save Our Lakes Summit, a community breakfast event being held from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The summit will feature the presentation of the 2012 State of the Lakes Report, conducted by CLA. The report is a collection of data from scientists, including metrics on lake water quality, beaches, aquatic plant harvesting, lake levels, ice conditions, and a section on community actions, presented and distributed in an annual report.
Speakers at the event will include Ken Johnson, Administrator of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Division, Michael Mucha, Chief Engineer and Director of Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, and Joe Parisi, Dane County Executive.
Persons interested in attending the event or learning more about the cause should contact James Tye at 608.255.1000 (office) or 608.628.6655 (cell)
