ATC

Green Lake Sanitary District restores pollinator habitat with help from ATC

The Green Lakes Sanitary District recently added 2,500 native perennials, 14 shrubs and several trees to five of the nature conservancies it manages along Wisconsin’s deepest natural inland lake thanks to a $5,000 ATC Community Planting Program grant.

The native vegetation will help restore pollinator habitat to the Hammer’s Trail, Norwegian Bay, Sunnyside, Wick Preserve and Tichora Conservancies after the recent removal of non-native and other invasive plant species.

All trees and vegetation – including highbush cranberry, elderberry, snowberry, black-eyed Susan, purple coneflower, butterfly weed, columbine and spiderwort – were planted a safe distance from utility lines to support the safety and reliability of the electric system.

Our Community Planting Program encourages and supports communities to plant trees and vegetation that beautify the landscape in a way that doesn’t compromise the safety and reliability of the electric transmission system. Since 2013, ATC has awarded approximately 240 communities and organizations with funds totaling more than $425,000.

ATC accepts applications from July 1 through Sept. 30, and award recipients are selected and notified by the end of the year. Awards range from $100 to $5,000. Additional information and program applications can be found at atc-GrowSmart.com.