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Announcing Sax-Zim Bog Good Neighbor Fund

April 11, 2016 Category: Tags:

Announcing SAX-ZIM BOG GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND!

$20K in Grants available for local bird feeders, school groups, etc
Made possible by a generous donation from Rich & Molly Hoeg & Will & Ellen Hoeg in memory of Dr. Dwight and Janet Hoeg of Duluth, MN


This purpose of the Sax-Zim Bog GOOD NEIGHBOR Fund will be exactly what the title implies…creating good will and mutually beneficial projects for both local residents and visiting birders. The Fund will also foster natural history education and first-hand experience with birds in the Sax-Zim Bog. Possible projects that may be funded include helping locals that run bird feeding stations with expenses of feed and feeders, aiding school groups in funding a field trip to the Bog, construction of photo and birding blinds. The goal is to foster a community that considers the needs of both locals and visiting birders. Applications will be taken and reviewed. Grants may range from $25 to $1,000.

The Sax-Zim Bog Good Neighbor Fund is established via a major gift in honor of Dr. Dwight and Janet Hoeg of Duluth. Dwight and Janet’s sons, Will and Rich and their spouses, desired to recognize their parents with this fitting memorial which helps others enjoy the beauty of the Northland in a manner similar to their parents. THANK YOU RICH, MOLLY, WILL & ELLEN! (Rich and Molly Hoeg above)


This is meant to be a Fund with no end date…a perpetual source of funding for small “good neighbor” projects. Donors will be able to donate to the Good Neighbor Fund so that it can go on and on and on and on and on….

Who is Eligible?

All projects must be implemented in the Sax-Zim Bog area (including but not limited to Meadowlands, Cotton, Toivola and Zim). Applicants applying for projects on private land (feeders, ponds, trails) must be seasonal or year-round residents of the Sax-Zim Bog area. There is no location restriction for schools applying for field trips.

Determination and Approval

All applications, once received, will be reviewed by the FOSZB Good Neighbor Grant Committee and voted on for approval. Applicants will be notified by email, phone, or mail if there application has been funded. Checks will be sent out in a timely manner.

Grant Amounts: $25 to $1000

Deadline: Grants will be accepted year-round

Reporting: Successful applicants will be required to submit a report on the results of their project.

What types of Projects are Eligible?

  • purchasing bird feed for established WINTER bird feeding stations (Must be open to viewing by the public)
  • purchasing new bird feeders for WINTER bird feeding station (Must be open to viewing by the public)
  • creating photography and bird watching blinds (Sharp-tailed Grouse lek?, pond, etc.)
  • boardwalks and trails open to the public for birding and photography
  • school field trips to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center with interpretive program by FOSZB Naturalist
  • butterfly garden (for observation and photography)
  • dragonfly or wildlife pond (for observation and photography)
  • visit to your school by FOSZB naturalist to give an educational program
  • community field trips to the Friends of Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center with interpretive program by FOSZB Naturalist
  • other projects that encourage local participation and education centered around the Sax-Zim Bog

APPLICATIONS FOR BIRD FEEDERS, BIRD SEED, TRAILS, BOARDWALKS, PHOTO BLINDS, PONDS, GARDENS, ETC…MUST BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AT ALL TIMES (BOTH LOCALS AND VISITING BIRDERS) EVEN IF ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

MORE INFO HERE

Fill out the SAX-ZIM BOG GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND Application here

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