Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation

The Wright Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation (WFSI) exists to foster innovative sustainability initiatives that make a positive impact on our planet. WFSI wants to find solutions to the complex challenges facing our world today. The Foundation’s vision is to facilitate positive action toward sustainable and innovative solutions in agricultural and environmental sectors that reduce carbon footprints and minimize risk for our communities.

In 2023, WFSI announced the grantees for its third grant cycle, focused on improving the tree canopy and best regenerative agricultural management practice adoption. WFSI awarded a total of $200,000 to four organizations including: Friends of Des Moines Parks, One Tree Planted, The Nature Conservancy and Land Stewardship Project. Since the Foundation’s inception in Fall 2020, $525,000 has been awarded to seven organizations that further WFSI’s mission through their projects and initiatives.

Friends of Des Moines Parks

Friends of Des Moines Parks (Des Moines, IA) was awarded $50,000 to plant 128 trees and 5,000 vegetative plugs along the future Carlisle trail. This project will help replace urban tree canopy lost during the 2020 derecho and reduce the urban heat island effect along the trail. The 5,000 vegetative plugs will create a pollinator habitat and support threatened insect species.

Land Stewardship Project

Land Stewardship Project (Minneapolis, MN) was awarded $50,000 to support its ongoing healthy soil program. As LSP works to support farmers in implementing regenerative practices, the grant will help them build a farmer-to-farmer support network and advance public policy.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy (Des Moines, IA) was awarded $50,000 to support a sustainable grazing innovation project. This pilot program will test virtual livestock fencing to expand sustainable grazing as a renewable agriculture strategy in Iowa. Virtual fencing technology – where livestock is controlled via GPS collars—is a new, dynamic approach to herd management.

One Tree Planted

One Tree Planted (Shelburne, Vermont) was awarded $50,000 to support the United States Urban Forestry Action Fund. This fund will run 27 urban planting projects across 24 cities in 16 states to address environmental justice, reduce urban heat island effect, and help communities achieve tree equity. These trees will be planted in urban and suburban communities that have low tree canopy cover and are home to a high population of underserved communities.