2021-2022 Community Impact Report - Report - Page 27
LU WINSOR MEMORIAL
ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FUND
Among the state's largest cider-centered festivals, the Parks and
Environment CAB hosted the 9th Cider Swig Festival (live). The event
returned live and in-person after two years of a pick up n' go festival
model, bringing dozens of cidermakers and more than 200 varieties of
hard cider to the festival.
Cider Swig combines our commitment to community and the
environment. Featuring PNW ciders, the festival highlights our region's
agricultural heritage, reinforces community friendships, promotes local
businesses, agricultural and environmental organizations, and
showcases regional talent throughout the day!
The festival is about much more than just cider. Proceeds benefit the
Lu Winsor Memorial Environmental Grant program. Since its inception,
the festival has contributed more than $80,000 to the program, which
provides annual grants to organizations, schools and agencies for
environmental education and conservation. Established in 2003, our
partners include Peninsula Light Co. and Pierce County; over $200,000
has been awarded to date.
Lu Winsor was a retired U.S. Park Service Manager/Ranger, appointed
in 1996 by the Pierce County Council to serve on the Key Peninsula-Gig
Harbor-Islands (KGI) Watershed Planning Committee to help develop
the Watershed Plan. Once the plan was adopted in 2000, Lu continued
on the KGI Watershed Council until his passing in 2003.
In 2003, the Peninsula Light Company (PenLight) started the Lu
Winsor Memorial Environmental Grant program as an offshoot of their
Green By Choice program. In 2014, the Foundation joined to support
the grant program with proceeds from its first Cider Swig Festival.
Seeking a more appropriate agent to oversee responsibilities of the
grant program, PenLight partnered with GGHF in 2015 to transfer grant
processing, management, and distribution obligations. Today, the grant
program is managed by GGHF, with support from a review team that
includes representatives from Pierce County Water Programs, the City
of Gig Harbor, Pierce County Conservation District, and PenLight.
Annually, through its work and Lu Winsor Fund, the Foundation helps
ensure at least $25,000 is available to area nonprofit organizations,
schools and agencies meeting program criteria. Since 2003, more than
$225,000 in grants have been awarded to 31 organizations for diverse
environmental education, conservation, stewardship, and watershed
protection efforts
Between 2021 and 2022, 19 grants totaling $42,600
were awarded to nine area organizations
and schools, including Anderson Island
Park District, Great Peninsula Conservancy,
Harbor WildWatch, Curious by Nature
School, Friends of Pierce County,
Nisqually Reach Nature Center, Pierce
Conservation District, EnviroCorps, and
Evergreen Elementary School.
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