Enter from the north side of campus. We will be in the new 5-story building, enter from the north door (main parking is now on the north side of the building).
Wow !!! A lot has happened since November!! Please join us on January 29th, for the inside scoop on what's happening at the lake. Hopefully, the consultant hired to complete the final design will be at the meeting to hear your views, so be sure to attend.
Or "Is DLWPF Out of Business?"
November and December were VERY busy months! Not only did the holidays keep the DLWPF folks out and about, but activities from Park City to the County Complex found someone representing Decker Lake!
The Grantswriting team spent a good part of November at seminars and workshops, learning the ins and outs of grantswriting and fundraising. December they spent putting their new knowledge to work, meeting with people and groups to better define the Decker Lake project (see Grants Team Notes)
On the County scene, major events took place. November was County budget hearing time and DLWPF was represented at every meeting at which Decker Lake was discussed. Dianna Smith (DLWPF Chair) and Kent England (Site Development Chair) were available to respond to questions and give needed input to the decision making process.
DLWPF worked with County Parks and Recreation to document and support a four phase plan to improve the lake site. It was pretty exciting when DLWPF was asked to assist with the budget projections and "don't forget to bring the rendering". Glen Lu, Director of Parks and Recreation, solicited the Commission by putting the DLWPF plan at the front of the room and explaining the projected budget for the amenities at Decker Lake. The 1997 allocation voted on and passed includes $275,000 for grading, irrigation installation, plant revegetation, construction of trails and small bridges, and installation of picnic tables. Out of six days of County hearings, DL was addressed five of the six days.
Phases three and four will be voted on in 1998 and 1999. Phase three includes construction of the boardwalk, interpretive signage, and wetland plantings. Phase four includes the amphitheatre, kiosks, demonstration gardens, pavilion, and parking.
So, with the County taking over with such big numbers, is there anything left for DLWPF to do?
YES!!!! Keep in mind, the DLWP was nearly consigned to a wait and see timetable, to be revisited in June. If DLWPF had not been at the budget hearings, there would be no current consultant selection process. Additionally, justification for the County's financial commitment was based partially on the Foundation's receipt of the $94,000 non-motorized trails grant, which showed the community's commitment.
And this is just Phase 2. If we want to see progress continue for Phases 3 and 4, additional community support and funding are required.
Keep in mind that the County's scope of work is the landscaping portion of the DLWPF plan. Needed land use agreements, educational programs, extended bike paths, and long term water quality improvements are dependent on DLWPF's role. These things will happen only if DLWPF continues to play a leadership role.
So, in short, (short???) DLWPF is here to stay. We have a lot of work to do and we still need your help -- now more than ever!
DLWPF is on the Selection Committee deciding which consultant will take on the final design of the Decker Lake site. Nine proposals were submitted by 3:00, Friday, January 17.
Proposals are to be reviewed and the Selection Committee makes (made) its decision on Friday, January 24th.
Salt Lake County published a request for proposals on three county parks. Because of the parallel timelines, one major selection concern is the consulting firm's ability to guarantee sufficient personnel to work on the three projects, simultaneously. Because of this element, most proposals are joint ventures with firms collaborating for the bid.
DLWPF will work closely with the consultant throughout the design phase. Whomever is selected, they will attend the DLWPF Member meetings. We need your opinion to be heard now more than ever. Then we'll need your help when we implement the design as we plant the vegetation and build the trails. Every $ we save through community involvement is a $ added to, or accelerates, the next phase.
Be sure to be at the meeting on January 29th and meet our new partners!
by Jon Bertrand, CIRRIS Systems
Last April I used the DLWPF brochure to create a Web page for the Decker Lake Project. Cirris Systems donated space for the Web page, but there were problems. The address of the page was too complicated to remember and all the Internet Search Sites couldn't find it.
This past November Cirris moved the page to its new home:
http://www.cirris.com/decker
The page was registered with all of the major Search Sites and now several people visit the page each day. (If you search for "Decker Lake Wetlands" you'll find it easily.)
The page contains the brochure, all of the newsletters since last April, a spot where anyone can add their name to the mailing list, and the usual "links" to related sites. I'm looking at adding a "guest book" where people can sign in. I'll also be adding a "suggestions box" where people can E-Mail the Decker Lake Board of Directors.
If you have any suggestions for improving the site, spot a spelling error, know of any related sites (on or off the Web) please give me a call (973-4600 ext 663) or E-Mail me at jonb@cirris.com.
DLWPF thanks both Jon and CIRRIS for making the web page possible. It is movers like Jon which make the Decker Lake project so successful.
By Karen Sudmeier & Kathy Moran
"Money makes the world go around..." as the song from "Cabaret" goes. Well, money alone will not restore Decker Lake, but it can sure help! The Grants Committee, strengthened by the Wasatch Front RC&D Grants Writing course, is working hard to increase funding for Decker Lake. And WE NEED YOUR HELP! A successful grant requires showing funders: a NEED, a clearly defined PURPOSE with GOALS and OBJECTIVES that can be evaluated for successful completion and a run-down of project COSTS.
What this boils down to is an urgent need for the committees to brainstorm on exactly what the committee hopes to achieve. Where should your portion of the project be in FIVE EARS, THREE YEARS and NEXT YEAR ? What concrete TASKS will it take to get to that point? What FUNDING NEEDS are required to achieve this goal? The Grants Committee is neither capable nor qualified to do this type of strategic thinking for all the committees, but WE ARE AT YOUR DISPOSAL to facilitate and participate in your discussions so that we get the infor-mation we need to effectively seek funding. We will be applying for a number of grants during the year to cover the different facets of the project, including: an EPA grant for environmental education, an EPA grant related to environmental justice and pollution prevention, a grant through the Utah Arts Council. WE NEED YOUR INPUT/PLANS BY FEBRUARY 15. The sooner we define our priorities, concrete projects and funding needs, the sooner we can apply for grants.
At one meeting in December to review the goals for Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve, four (4) primary issues were identified. The following summaries highlight the four content areas:
Partnering is a need that has and will continue to receive attention throughout the life of the project. Concerted effort in building community, and gathering the energy and resources of all the people affected by DLWP is necessary for successful results. Local business people, school children, teachers, neighbors, government leaders, and volunteers all need to work together to make it happen.
Addressing ecological concerns by beautifying and restoring the lake area will improve the health and quality of the water while creating a more attractive and viable bird refuge and respite area for all of us.
Educational Programs will be designed to inform, involve and excite children and others to care about the life of a wetland area.
Recreation opportunities and green open space are desperately needed. Creating an attractive park environment will improve real estate value and provide a more picturesque setting for the surrounding businesses.
The Grant Writing Committee will seek funding that supports these goals. Projects will be designed to address the above needs.
Committee Chairs: please arrange to meet with your Committees either at the upcoming membership meeting (Jan 29th) or at another time prior to February 15. Apart from supplying the Grants Committee with useful planning information, this is an excellent opportunity to focus your efforts and designate specific tasks and deadlines....
Please contact Kathy Moran at 583-0210 (e-mail: mailto:kathy_moran@msn.com) for Public Relations, Community Relations, and Cultural/Arts Education. Contact Karen Sudmeier at 461-0970 (e-mail: ksuds@utah-inter.net) for issues concerning Environmental Education, Site Development and Water Quality or Rich Parks 468-3604, Grants Committee Chair. THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON THIS EXCITING PROCESS !
Karen Sudmeier and Kathy Moran
As time gets closer to the final design of the area around Decker Lake, the opportunity to participate in the Adopt-a-Plot program shortens. As the consultants come on board, we need to plan which areas will be wetlands. Make sure you don't procrastinate too long. Send in your check and help reserve another section of shoreline dedicated to our environment. Keep in mind, the wetlands are not just for the birds. Wetlands vegetation plays a major role in improving water quality.
Adoptions were received in honor of
Over the holidays, DLWPF received notification of our advance ruling from the IRS, stating we "can reasonably expect to be a publicly supported organization." Between now and 1999 we must show that we meet the requirements of being "publicly supported." To qualify as a publicly supported organization, DLWPF "must receive at least one-third of its total support from governmental units, from contributions made directly or indirectly by the general public, or from a combination of these sources." So far, DLWPF is right on track, with the majority of its funding coming from the public sector.
Benefits to our donors include the ability to claim 50-100% of the donation, rather than the standard 30%. Because of this, some donors prefer to give to publicly supported organizations.
DLWPF thanks all those who helped us through the application process, especially Keith Kinghorn (FIRST HEALTH), Scott Czaja (Haynie & Co), and everyone at Utah Non Profit Assoc.
Steve Reed and the Valley Junior High School students are busy again! Steve, science teacher at VJH, announced the start of the Bird Blind Contest at Tuesday's Eco Club meeting. All students at Valley Junior are invited to participate in the contest.
Students have two weeks to produce the winning design for the Audubon sponsored Bird Blind for the west side of the lake. James Bach of Bach & Assoc, will judge the preliminary drawings on Friday, February 14th. Winner of the contest will receive a $50 cash prize.
This month's Accolades go to the members of the Grants-writing team. While many of us took a breath or two from the everyday work schedule to enjoy the holidays, theGrants-writing team took full advantage of the slower work pace to accomplish some needed goal setting. Richard Parks, Grants chair, headed up the fundraising team by making contacts and setting the stage for informative strategy sessions. Kathy, Patricia, and Karen have spent countless hours researching, analyzing, documenting where we are, where we want to be, and how to get there. If you are on a committee, you will become acquainted with these folks as they take us though the process of long-term funding. They have all been a great help and have brought fantastic energy to the team. Thank you, Richard, Kathy, Karen, and Patricia for your insights and hard work!
Decker Lake Wetlands Preserve Foundation