11-06-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Our Backyard Nature Preschool is offered at the Nature Center through a partnership with the Forest Lake Family Center Wargo naturalists provide programming at desig- nated school forests offered in collaboration with area elementary schools With the aid of a Minnesota Agriculture in the Classs- room grant, Wargo added a Farm to Market Summer camp in 2013 FUNDING & PARTNERSHIPS At present, Wargo has a wide array of funding sources, ranging from its own operating budget to private grants and endowments, with approximately 75% of its operating budget coming from the Anoka County budget. Current funding sources include: • Wargo Nature Center Operations Budget • Metro Regional Parks Rehab and Enhancement Program • Metro Regional Parks C.I.P. • Metro Regional Parks and Trails Legacy Program • Edith Wargo Powers Endowment • Koch Pipeline Company Easement Funding (one-time) • Connexus Energy Grant In order to realize the funding required to make the proposed improvements in this plan, additional funding strategies will need to be pursued. Staff currently devotes some capacity to pursue federal, state, and foundation grants to help support the operations and development of the Center, but grant funding should be supplemental to other additional sources. Potential new funding strategies include: • Increase revenue return from rentals, programs, and events • Seek grants through new opportunities • Seek matching funds using the Edith Wargo Powers Endowment as leverage • Consider a State Bond Request • Create a Friends of Wargo group for funding and advocacy • Continue phased upgrades to reduce building energy use/costs • Partnership with the University of Minnesota's College of Design Architecture Department As the mission, vision and goals of Wargo Nature Center match or overlap with other organizations, potential partnerships should be explored to share resources to help implement the redevelopment plans. As such, Wargo should actively work to increase and enhance partnerships with: 52 Chapter 5: Implementation • Anoka County Integrated Waste Management through incorporated recycling into the on-site and off-site programs • The Cities of Lino Lakes, Blaine, and Centerville • Connexus Energy, YMCA, and municipal parks and recreation departments • Rice Creek Watershed District