James Madison Wins 30 in 30

James Madison University in Harrisonburg has been awarded a $750 30 in 30 grant in the Community Beautification Category. Our Thirty Grants in 30 Days program focuses greater resources and attention on organizations and individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education.

We provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of our 30 in 30 grants of $500 to $1,000 in three different categories: Litter Prevention, Recycling, and Community Beautification. These grants are made possible by Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation and MeadWestvaco.

James Madison University  wants to turn a drainage ditch into a wetland/wildlife preserve.  This stream restoration project has 2 primary goals; to demonstrate naturalized stream channel design through process followed by educational signage, and of course to beautify the campus. This stream (now a drainage ditch) is in a highly visible and very busy pedestrian corridor near the ball fields. By restoring the stream/wetlands, the students will be improving not only the visual beauty of the university but also improve the health of the wildlife and surrounding habitat. We commend the JMU Dukes for taking on such an expansive and worthwhile project and we are confident that their final results will help keep their part of Virginia beautiful for many years to come.