Wetland Restoration Grants Available

Conservation groups, private landowners and government organizations are encouraged to apply for a share of $2.5 million available to fund wetland restoration and mitigation projects. Proposals for the current round of funding, available from the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, are due Feb. 28 and can be used to cover all aspects of restoration including land purchases, site construction and long-term maintenance and monitoring. Created in 2014, the Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust program allows for the purchase of wetland mitigation credits specified by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wisconsin DNR wetland permits. The funds generated from credit sales then help offset the cost of wetland restoration projects. Funds are awarded to applicants through a competitive request for proposal process. The trust is currently funding wetland restoration projects on more than 450 acres statewide with work on these projects continuing this year. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact Josh Brown at 608.266.1902 or [email protected], to discuss prospective projects. Additional information can be found by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for “Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust.”