Grants From The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund Will Improve Wildlife Habitat In Dane, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Ozaukee And Wood Counties

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) are pleased to announce that over $100,000 from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund will be supporting six habitat projects on public lands this year in Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee and Wood counties.

The DNR and NRF invite hunters purchasing their licenses this fall to consider donating to the Cherish Fund, which helps fund critical conservation projects in Wisconsin each year.

Established to protect, restore and improve habitat for Wisconsin’s plants and animals, the fund allows the public to invest in the public lands and waters where they recreate. The Cherish Fund is primarily built through voluntary contributions from the public when they purchase their hunting and fishing licenses through Go Wild or directly on the NRF’s Cherish Fund webpage.

“Our state’s public lands are really something special. We’re glad to give the public an easy way to help protect them so they can be enjoyed forever,” said David Clutter, executive director at the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. “This year, funding will be used to restore habitat in some key locations for Wisconsin’s biodiversity.”

This year’s projects represent high-priority habitat restoration work from across the state. The selected projects enhance wildlife-dependent recreation and support conservation of rare species.

“Protecting and preserving critical habitat in Wisconsin helps ensure that these locations will remain accessible to hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come,” said DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. “We’re proud to continue seeing the benefits of such a powerful, public-led effort to fund conservation.”

The projects were selected through a grant application process and reviewed by an engaged stakeholder group, which included Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership, Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. The DNR and the NRF are grateful for the participation of these organizations in selecting the following Cherish projects.

Dane County
$14,400

At Governor Nelson State Park, funds will support efforts to remove invasive brush and plant native species in 40 acres of oak woodland. Funds will also help improve 30 acres of pollinator habitat by helping provide seeds to plant after prescribed burning. Located near a highly populated area, this state park is popular for fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, paddling and more.

Dane, Columbia, Jefferson, Waukesha And Walworth Counties
$16,600

Volunteers are willing and able to help improve habitat in state-owned lands across southern Wisconsin, but a lack of equipment and gear has limited the number of acres that volunteer groups have been able to restore. Grant funds will support the purchase of an enclosed trailer outfitted with loppers, seed collection supplies, personal protective equipment and more. This will significantly increase the number of acres that can be managed by volunteers, enhancing habitat for wildlife and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across the region.

Dodge County
$10,540

At Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, funding from Cherish will establish native prairie and enlarge the largest grassland complex in Horicon Marsh. This will expand nesting and migratory habitat for waterfowl and create new habitat for threatened grassland birds, bats, and pollinators. The area is also easily accessible to the public and will be ideal for increased pheasant hunting.

Fond Du Lac County
$15,596

At the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit, funds from Cherish will support the first phase of a multi-year project to improve habitat at and around the Ice Age Visitor Center Complex. The first phase will remove invasive glossy buckthorn, poison ivy, and other undesirable brush and conduct a prescribed burn. This work will stimulate the growth of native plants and improve habitat for several Species of Greatest Conservation Need. This location is open to hunting, fishing and trapping, and is popular with hikers as it contains 32 miles of the Ice Age Trail.

Ozaukee County
$20,000

At Cedarbug Bog State Natural Area (one of the largest, most diverse and least-disturbed wetlands in southern Wisconsin), grant funds will help the Friends of Cedarburg Bog remove invasive buckthorn. This invasive shrub is the greatest threat to the quality of vegetation, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities in the Bog. Rare plants, nearly 300 bird species, unusual reptiles, amphibians, insects and the red-backed vole call this place home. The property is open for hunting, fishing, hiking and other outdoor pursuits.

Wood County
$24,000

At Sandhill, Wood County and Meadow Valley wildlife areas, project funds will enhance habitat for Karner blue butterflies by expanding and connecting their existing habitat. Seeding native species and controlling the encroaching woody species will improve oak barrens in Wisconsin’s biologically important Central Sands region. This work will also provide better brooding habitat for upland game birds and improved hunting areas for deer and turkey hunters.

About The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund

Created in 2012 by an act of the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund is a public-private partnership that provides a permanent source of funding to care for Wisconsin’s public lands for generations to come.

Learn more about the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund online.

About The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) protects our state’s lands, waters, and wildlife by providing funding, leading partnerships, and connecting all people with nature. NRF invests around $1 million each year into conservation and environmental education and leads several diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for Wisconsin’s conservation community. NRF also helps people explore the outdoors by coordinating 250+ expert-led Field Trips each year to Wisconsin’s most special places and hosts The Great Wisconsin Birdathon, the state’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation.

Learn more and get involved at wisconservation.org.

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.