Stewardship Friends Grants Approved For 32 DNR Improvement Projects

MADISON, Wis. – 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.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.