By BARBARA BARBIERI
Friends of Ouabache State Park have been the recipients of a $2,500 grant from the Independent Colleges of Indiana Inc. in collaboration with the Lilly Scholars Network to be used for funding the Invasive Species Management Initiative Phase 2 project.
Heather Larr of Huntington County, who was a Lilly scholar at IU in 2003, submitted the information for the grant. The Lilly Scholars Network brings charitable organizations together with Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to enhance their Indiana communities.
This year 12 organizations around the state each received up to $2,500 for a total of $28,113.94 in grant funding through the LSN Lead Forweard Commnity Grants program.
The grant money at Ouabache will be used to replace invasive plants such as honeysuckle with native wildflowers. One targeted area for re-seeding will be a site at the curve in the park’s road, across from the park’s former entry sign. The area was recently cleared of an invasion of honeysuckle.
Heather and her husband Eric are members of the Friends of Ouabache State Park.
“The Lead Forward Community Grants orogram encourages Lilly Scholars to give back to their comminity,” said Katie Lesh, chair of the LSN Advisory Council and a 2009 scholar from Randolph County. “Lilly Endowment Community Scholars are leaders who were recognized early on to be change makers across the state.”
barb@news-banner.com
