Kohler, R. (2008, March 12). Council approves rezoning request for compassion house, Washburn County Register, p. 3.

Council approves rezoning request for compassion house

by Regan Kohler

Mary Ellen Ryall spoke during public comment about the monarch butterfly habitat that is going to be located in the city. She said there has been an economic downturn recently, so some of their grants are at a standstill. Pri-Ru-Ta, one organization from which a grant had been applied for, was evaluating where funding is at this time, she said, so she is working with the Washburn County Planning, Land and Resource Management Department on it.

Ryall said that Happy Tonics, her group which is working on the butterfly habitat, have purchased 55 shrubs for the garden. However, she said, the Happy Tonics need 15 cubic yards of compost donated so they can plant the shrubs in the habitat. She asked the city if they could donate this, and possibly wood chips. A fence will eventually be needed, too, she said, to protect the area from vehicles.

Ryall said $28,000 of in-kind funds for education is being put in for the habitat. The garden is on a four-year plan for completion, and this is the second, so it's at a good stage, she added.

The Happy Tonics will be running a summer program on sustainability relating to the butterfly habitat, participating in the summer reading program at the library and the schedule of events come June will be ready.

The kickoff planting ceremony for the shrubs will be Saturday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. The site is located off Hwy. 63, on the lakeside. A representative from the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation will speak, and the Lakeview Hotel will be providing refreshments, with host Diane Ericksen. Ryall needs a count for refreshments, so anyone interested should contact her at 468-2097.