Kenosha attorney Joe Madrigrano’s wife Kathy came up with the original idea to partner with Gateway Technical College on a new facility that’s designed to draw attention to the plight facing honey bees. But it was the school’s president—Bryan Albrecht--and his commitment to follow through—that sold Joe on the idea.
"The reason that we're here really is because of Bryan," said Madrigrano at the dedication ceremony Monday for the "Bee Barn."
"I know that when he commits to something it gets done," Madrigrano continued. "Kathy had the idea about the bees and I got a hold of Bryan and he implemented."
The Madrigrano family donated $20,000 to create the new facility from an old barn that's located on the site of Gateway's Center for Sustainable Living. Adorned inside and out now by murals and wall displays that stress the importance of bees and pollination, the Bee Barn also draws attention to various changes that are threatening the bee population.
The barn--now insulated and brightly-lit-- will be used as a learning lab primarily for K-through-12 students.
Last year some 12,000 students and adults spent at least some amount of time at the center, according to center director Kallie Johnson.
The Madrigrano family donation also includes a $25,000-a-year matching grant program that'll be used to support various Bee Barn-related endeavors.
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