Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF DULUTH TO STATE ITS SUPPORT OF THE STEWARDSHIP NETWORK IN APPLYING TO THE NATIONAL FISH AND WILDLIFE FOUNDATION FOR A PULLING TOGETHER INITIATIVE INVASIVE WEED REMOVAL GRANT.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth is committed to enhancing efforts to successfully control invasive species and engage a broader audience of stakeholders on invasive species control on park and public land; and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth recognizes that this important work can be done successfully in partnership and cooperation with regional, state and local governmental organizations, including the United States Forest Service, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, other non-profits and private property owners and businesses; and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth was approached by the Stewardship Network to be a partner in applying for a Pulling Together Initiative grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF); and
WHEREAS, the Stewardship Network, after submitting a pre-proposal, attached hereto as Exhibit A, has been invited by NFWF to submit a full proposal focused on the development of a southern St. Louis County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA), which would include both the city of Duluth and the St. Louis River Estuary; and
WHEREAS, the city of Duluth finds the activities of the Pulling Together Initiative to be consistent with the city of Duluth parks and recreation St. Louis River Corridor initiative, as well as the city’s Duluth Invaders service initiative to educate the public on invasive plant populations and how to eradicate invasives from public and park land.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the city of Duluth hereby expresses its support of the Stewardship Network in their full grant proposal to NFWF and also that the city of Duluth anticipates a strong partnership in the implementation of the proposed Pulling Together Initiative.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution expresses the city of Duluth’s support of a grant proposal submitted by the national conservation nonprofit, the Stewardship Network, to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to develop a Cooperative Weed Management Area for southern St. Louis County with a major focus on the lower St. Louis River watershed in Duluth. The resolution also expresses the city of Duluth’s intent to work in partnership with the Stewardship Network and several local, state, tribal, and federal partners to develop and implement an invasive weed management strategy. If awarded, the grant will provide two years of funding for a Cooperative Weed Management Coordinator position, based in Duluth and employed by the Stewardship Network, who will coordinate the development and implementation of the weed management strategy.