Governor awards group for 'green' wildlife center
STEVENS POINT — When the Friends of the Mead-McMillan Association set out to build a wildlife education and visitor center in Milladore, they knew raising the necessary money wouldn't be easy.
The state kicked in $611,000, and the group was able to double that contribution. Gov. Jim Doyle awarded the group for their efforts, which resulted in the state's first "green" facility.
"We didn't even realize such an award existed," said Kent Hall, the group's fundraising committee chairman. "It's nice to be recognized by the governor himself. We're a small group, but we did a pretty important job, we think."
Doyle presented the group with the state's Excellence in Service Award, one of seven Governor's Awards for Outstanding Design and Construction Services handed out last week. The awards recognize exemplary work on state building projects.
"This year's award winners showed a remarkable commitment to their craft and produced facilities that the people of Wisconsin will enjoy for generations to come," Doyle said.
The nearly $2 million Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center opened in October, with nearly $1.6 million donated through private gifts and in-kind donations.
The 6,208-square-foot education facility in the Mead-McMillan Wildlife Area on Highway S contains sustainable and renewable energy sources, such as wind power generators, solar panels, ground-source heat pumps and wood-fired radiant space heating. It also includes reusable items such as tiles made from crushed bottles.