Grants will help NICC Calmar develop its grounds

NICC Calmar has received two grants to help fund its conservation efforts.

Calmar campus provost Dr. Liang Chee Wee says a Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grant will provide funding for a shelter belt on the Calmar campus.  This area will provide wind protection and create a wildlife habitat by re-introducing native species to the land.

Wee also announced that Pheasants Forever has agreed to fund a prairie habitat that will represent what our landscape looked like 150 years ago. It will include walking trails.

"Both projects will serve as living examples for area farmers and residents," stated Dr. Wee, "and are great ways to practice conservation, sustainability and stewardship."

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Services, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are advising the college on project planning.