The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today 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.
“The DNR’s relationships with Friends Groups are vital to the success of our state properties and we are proud to partner with them,” said DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. “We are grateful to the governor for proposing a reauthorization to the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund in his 2025-27 biennial budget and an increase in funding for these impactful grants across Wisconsin.”
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.
Each year, $500,000 from the Stewardship program is set aside for grants to Friends Groups and nonprofit conservation organizations. The DNR recognizes the important role Friends Groups play in meeting the development and restoration needs of state properties. Thank you to these partners for their dedication and continued support for DNR properties and these projects.
The following projects were approved and will move forward in the grant award process:
Friends of Buckhorn State Park – Install Accessible Fire Pit and Sidewalk
Friends of Cedarburg Bog – Buckthorn Control and Habitat Restoration
Friends of Copper Falls State Park – Outdoor Education Classroom Firepit and Benches
Friends of Council Grounds State Park, Inc. – Electronic Kiosk for Park Sticker Sales
Friends of Devil’s Lake State Park – Accessible Campfire Rings and Grills
Friends of The Fox River State Trail, Inc. – Regrading and Resurface Southern Section of Trail
Friends of Governor Nelson State Park – Hogan House Restoration Phase I
Friends of Heritage Hill Foundation – Replace Storm Water Culvert
Friends of High Cliff State Park – Lime Kiln Trail Stairs Replacement Phase II
Ice Age Trail Alliance, Inc. – Ice Age Trail Updates Including Bridge Replacements
Friends of Interstate And Straight Lake Parks – Install Interpretive Signs Along the CCC Camp Interstate Trail
Friends of Interstate and Straight Lake Parks – Improve Camp Shelter Trail Accessibility
Kettle Moraine Natural History Association – Ottawa Lake Accessible Kayak Launch
Friends of Kohler-Andrae State Park – Kohler-Andrae Amphitheater Enclosure Phase I
Friends of Lake Wissota State Park – Lake Wissota State Park Overlook Parking Lot Vault Toilet
Friends of Lakeshore State Park, Inc. – Kid’s Prairie Trails Accessibility Upgrade
Friends of Merrick State Park – Accessible Fishing Pier
Friends of The Military Ridge – Trail Signage for Way Finding, Phase I
Friends of Mirror Lake State Park – Accessible Fire Ring at Mirror Lake Beach
Friends of Mirror Lake State Park – Accessible Outdoor Cooking Grill Replacements
Friends of New Glarus Woods State Park – Mountain Bike Trail Phase II
Newport Wilderness Society – Dark Sky Amphitheater at Newport State Park
Friends of Peninsula State Park – Outdoor Gathering Area at Mountain Bike Trailhead
Friends of Perrot State Park – Accessibility Upgrades at Interpretive Trail
Friends of Point Beach State Forest – Playground Update With New Accessible Equipment
Friends of Rib Mountain State Park – North Observation Decking Surface Restoration
Friends of Rib Mountain State Park – Walkway Paving Improvements ao Amphitheatre and Concession Stand
Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy, Inc. (SPCC) – Parking Lot and Driveway Paving
Friends of Wildcat Mountain State Park – Horse Camp Trail Improvements, Phase I
Friends of Willow River And Kinnickinnic State Parks, Inc. – Single Track Mountain Bike Trail Network Phase III
Friends of Yellowstone Lake State Park – Fire Ring Replacement
Friends of Yellowstone Lake State Park – Prairie and Savanna Restoration
Learn more about the Stewardship Fund grant and Friends Groups programs on the DNR’s Friends Groups webpage.
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