$10,000 fundraiser underway to complete energy efficiency improvements to Central Wisconsin Land Conservation Center
The North Central Conservancy Trust (NCCT) was recently awarded a $26,136 grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s (PSC) Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) to make its Land Conservation Center office in the Village of Whiting more energy efficient. The total cost of the project is expected to be around $35,000. NCCT launched a fundraising campaign to raise the additional $10,000 needed to fund the project.
NCCT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to conserve the natural heritage of Central Wisconsin through the protection of land. NCCT works with landowners to preserve scenic lands and environmental resources for the benefit of the people and ecosystems in Central Wisconsin. Since 1996, NCCT has protected nearly 5,000 acres in its eight-county service area, which includes Adams, Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Waushara, and Wood Counties.
In 2019, NCCT moved into its first permanent office after working with the Village of Whiting to take ownership of the former Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Ranger Station near Upper Whiting Park. The organization now uses its Land Conservation Center to collaborate with community partners, provide education and engagement opportunities to community members, and advance environmental protection initiatives in the region.
Since taking occupancy, NCCT’s volunteers and staff have worked to transform the 1960’s era building into a more energy efficient, sustainable, safe, and functional gathering space. Major interior and exterior renovations, including the installation of a solar array and a new heating and cooling system were completed through generous donations of time, resources, and financial support from NCCT volunteers, supporters, and the public. Similar support is needed to complete the next upgrades.
A recent energy efficiency audit of the Land Conservation Center identified critical improvement needs.
To make the building more energy efficient, the next phase will include replacing 21 windows, installing air-barrier paint to the interior ceiling, sealing openings in the attic, and upgrading attic insulation.
NCCT property manager and long-time volunteer, Doug Henderson, said, “The windows currently on the building are part of the original 1959/1960s-era construction and are barely functional as a barrier between the inside and outside climate. These upgrades will have an immediate and significant impact, reducing NCCT’s energy consumption and environmental impact.”
The $26,136 grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s Energy Innovation Grant Program is $10,000 shy of the $35,000 price tag for the improvements to the building, creating the need for a fundraising campaign.
Shortly after launching the summer fundraiser, an anonymous NCCT supporter contributed $4,500 as a matching challenge to encourage others to participate. At the time of this writing, an additional $4,300 has been committed towards the project, leaving NCCT just $1,200 short of the $10,000 goal.
“This is one of the final major improvements that we are hoping to make to the building to make it functional and efficient,” said Marv Noltze, NCCT Board member. “I’m proud of the hard work NCCT volunteers have put into bringing this building back to life in such a sustainable and visible way.”
The PSC awarded $10 million in funding from the EIGP. The grants went to 46 projects that reduce energy consumption and demand, install renewable energy and battery storage technologies, and create comprehensive energy plans. The PSC received 105 applications requesting more than $31 million in funding.
The EIGP is implemented through the Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) at the PSC. During this grant cycle, the Commission sought projects that focused on renewable energy and energy storage, energy efficiency and demand response, and comprehensive energy planning.
Wisconsin manufacturers, cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System, public or nonprofit hospitals, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits were eligible to apply.
To support NCCT’s energy efficiency fundraising effort and their conservation mission, visit the NCCT website at ncctwi.org or call the NCCT office at 715.344.1910.