DNR announces stewardship funding

MADISON. Wis (CIVIC MEDIA) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the approval of Stewardship funding for Friends Grants to 28 nonprofit organizations for improvements at DNR properties across the state. The State Building Commission approved the funding, which includes 32 projects for a total of $430,877 in Stewardship Fund grants, leveraging $660,847 in matching contributions and $3.4 million in total project costs.

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to preserve important natural communities, protect water quality and fisheries, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation. Within this program, a portion of Stewardship funds from the state’s biennial budget is used to support important recreational projects and improvements at state properties. Many construction and property development projects at the DNR’s state parks, trails, forests and other state lands are made possible with the Stewardship Fund program’s annual funding.

Stewardship funds also support several DNR-administered grant programs, including grants to DNR Friends Groups. Through the Stewardship Friends Grant Program, the DNR partners with Friends Groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to improve facilities, build new recreation projects and restore habitat on state properties.

Projects approved to move forward in the grant award process include:

Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park for accessible campfire rings and grills

Friends of Governor Nelson State Park for the Hogan House Restoration Phase I

Friends of Mirror Lake State Park for accessible outdoor cooking grill replacements and

Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park for Horse Camp Trail Improvements, Phase I.

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