Other Wisconsin Grants, Scholarships & Awards

Contact: Community Foundation of Portage County, 1608 W. River Drive, PO Box 968, Stevens Point, WI 54481 (715) 342-4454
 

The Fertilizer Research Fund
is derived from a tonnage assessment on fertilizer and soil amendments sold in the state.  As directed by State Statutes, proposals should outline an applied research study that address a component of a problem in the areas of soil management, soil fertility, or plant nutrition; or that addresses groundwater and surface water problems that may be related to fertilizer usage.

 Approximately $100,000 is available to support research projects each year.  Average funding for new proposals in 2004 was $10,000.>

Application materials can also be downloaded from the Fertilizer Research Council web site at:  http://www.soils.wisc.edu/frc/.

Deadline: September 10, 2004 to the Fertilizer Research Fund Program Manager.
 

Students participating in the Wisconsin ICE Challenge are encouraged to submit original and creative work that demonstrates the contest�s theme, Igniting Creative Energy, by exhibiting smart energy and environmental options for home, school or the community. Students may express their ideas on energy conservation and the environment in the form of science projects, essays, stories, artwork, photographs, music, video, web site projects, or recent service projects.  The Wisconsin ICE Challenge is open to all Wisconsin students in grades K-12.

A total of four prizes will be awarded to Wisconsin ICE winners. Three students, one each from grade clusters K-5, 6-8, and 9-12, whose work best exemplifies the Challenge criteria, will receive their choice of a $1500 savings bond or a $1500 Dell gift card.  In addition, one teacher with the highest average score of student work will receive $750 to be used in the school.

Johnson Controls will forward all Wisconsin entries to the national Igniting Creative Energy contest.

Winners will be notified in late February. A recognition breakfast and program in honor of the Wisconsin ICE Challenge winners will be held on March 24, 2007.

More information at: http://www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org/wisconsin/index.html

Deadline: Wisconsin Entries must be postmarked on or before February 3, 2007

Small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, or other educational organizations whose efforts best reflect the message of creating natural landscapes using native plants such as a prairie, woodland or wetland.
http://www.for-wild.org/seedmony.htm
 

The grants will be awarded to local and tribal governments, state agencies and non-profit organizations working in the 15 Great Lakes coastal counties. The grants may be used for land acquisition, wetland protection, habitat restoration, run-off pollution control, community planning, Great Lakes education, public access to the Great Lakes and preserving historic and archaeological resources. The projects require local matching contributions. $1.6 million in federal funds is available 

Applications are due November 8, 2004 For additional information, call the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program staff at (608) 266-0288 or see website at http://coastal.wisconsin.gov.
 

Bureau of Community Financial Assistance

The Bureau of Community Financial Assistance administers a number of  programs, each with its own goals and criteria. The Bureau may be reached at (608) 266-7555. Program descriptions and links may be viewed at   http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cfa/bureau/programs.html  or view select summary program descriptions below.

Application forms, instructions, and other related forms can be found at: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/cfa/EF/forms/forms.html

Acquisition of Local Parks
Funds are available to assist local communities acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas as per s. 23.09 (20), Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages and Indian Tribes with an approved Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan are eligible to apply by May 1 of each year on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Awards are granted on a competitive basis. Acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation areas are eligible projects. Priority is given to the acquisition of land where a scarcity of outdoor recreation land exists. Link to Land & Recreation Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page. Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist 
Deadline is May 1

Funds are available to carry out program of fish or wildlife management projects as per s.23.09 (12), Wis. Stats. and NR 50, Wis. Adm. Code. Counties and recognized Indian Tribes are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match. Projects related to providing improved fish or wildlife habitat or projects related to hunter/angler facilities are eligible. Projects which enhance fish and wildlife habitat or fishing and hunting facilities have priority. Link to Statutes Page. Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist

Funds are available to encourage the long-term stewardship of non-industrial private forest lands by assisting owners of such lands to more actively manage their forest and related resources utilizing existing State, Federal, and private sector resource management expertise and assistance programs as per U.S. Public Law 101-624, Title XII, and NR 47, Wis. Adm. Code. Natural resource agencies, organizations, and others interested in promoting the stewardship management of private non-industrial forest lands are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Bureau of Forestry. A 50% local match is preferred, but not necessary to qualify.  Projects that are directed toward one or more of the following are eligible (this is not a priority ranking): 1) providing direct technical resource management assistance to landowners; 2) developing information and educational materials and programs on multi-resource stewardship for the general public and especially landowners; and 3) providing training and education materials to resource professionals that assist private landowners. Eligible types of projects include landowner workshops, management plan writing, field days, training sessions, direct landowner assistance and research. Link to Statutes Page.Contact Linda DePaul at (608) 266-2388 Applications are due November 1 each year.

Funds are available to private forest landowners to implement practices that protect, maintain, and enhance forest resources including wetlands, lakes and streams as per U.S. Public Law 101-624, Title XII, and NR 47, Wis. Adm. Code. Private non-industrial forest owners of at least ten acres, but not more than 1,000 acres who have an approved forest stewardship management plan are eligible to apply. Eligible landowners include: individuals, foreign owners, joint owners, American Indian Tribes or other native American groups, groups and associations, corporations without publicly traded stock and other private legal entities. There is a local match of up to 35% of the project costs with a maximum level stipulated in each specific practice.  Applications are available either from the Consolidated Farm Services Agency Office serving their county or the local DNR Forester's Office. Priorities are set by local DNR offices. The available practices are: 1) preparation of landowner Forest Stewardship plans; 2) tree planting; 3) forest stand improvement; 4) windbreak and shelterbelt planting; 5) soil and water protection and improvement; 6) riparian and wetland protection and improvement; 7) fisheries habitat improvement; and 8) wildlife habitat enhancement. Link to Statutes Page. Contact your county DNR Forester, or Linda DePaul at (608) 266-2388 Application may be made at any time but are subject to a two month batching period for prioritization and funding of the highest priorities.

Green and Healthy Schools Grant Program
Schools that have met the criteria for Green & Healthy School recognition and have submitted a completed grant application prior to May 1, 2005 will be reimbursed for some of the expenditures for the time and/or resources they may have incurred in the first year of the implementation of the program. Eligible expenditures may include, but are not limited to, team work, personal protection equipment, pedestrian and/or parking signs, record keeping supplies, the purchase of monitoring equipment, and recycling signs, decals and/or containers.

A total of $20,000 will be available, however, the awards will be pro-rated dependent upon the number of schools that apply for the grant. The maximum a school could receive is $1,000. Grant awards will be distributed by May 31, 2005. For more information see http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/greenschools/pdf/grantinfofordistricts.pdf
Deadline: Prior to May 1, 2004

 

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grant (Clean Sweep)
Funds are available to municipalities to create and operate local "clean sweep" programs for the collection and disposal of household hazardous waste as per s. 144.75, Wis. Stats., and NR 187, Wis. Adm. Code. County utility districts, town sanitary districts, public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, metropolitan sewerage districts, federally recognized tribal governments are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state provides 75% cost sharing, not to exceed $15,000.  Any type of program for the collection and disposal of household hazardous wastes, including permanent collection programs, are eligible. For more information see Household Hazardous Waste Collection Grant (Clean Sweep) or Link to Land & Recreation Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page. Contact Janet F. Libby or Eileen Trainor Applications must be submitted after July 1 and before August 2 of each year, with grants being awarded after September 1. A second grant cycle is possible if all monies are not awarded during the first cycle. The second cycle application period is after December 1 and before January 1, with grants being awarded by March 1.

Funds are available for maintenance of the Ice Age Trail as per s. 20.370(1)(kb), Wis. Stats. and NR 51.74(6), Wis. Adm. Code. Counties, towns, cities, villages, and private non-profit groups are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Priorities include projects that provide for significant public use, protect the resource or public safety or comfort, or portions of the trail owned by a local government or nonprofit conservation organization.

Eligible activities include brush clearing, mowing, signs, bridge and boardwalk replacement and repairs, surface repairs, winter grooming, etc. on Ice Age Trail segments owned or managed by the DNR, dedicated to the DNR and managed under contract with DNR or recognized by DNR and certified by the National Park Service. Funds are for maintenance and development of the trail. Matching funds of up to 50% for purchase or lease of equipment and materials are available. Labor is not an eligible expense and in-kind contributions are not eligible for match. Link to Statutes Page. Contact Janet Beach Hanson

Lake Planning Grant
Funds are available to collect and analyze information needed to protect and restore lakes and their watersheds as per s. 281.68, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified lake associations, as defined in s.30.92(1)(br) and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% up to a maximum of $10,000 per grant.  Types of projects include physical, chemical, biological, and sociological data collection, water quality assessment, and watershed evaluation including county-wide or regional initiatives. For more information see Lake Planning Grant website or Link to Environmental Financial Assistance Section Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.Contact your Regional Lakes Program Coordinator Applications due in region offices by February 1 and August 1 of each year.

Funds are available to protect and improve the water quality of lakes and their ecosystems as per s. 281.69, Wis. Stats. Grants are available for purchasing land or easements, restoration of wetlands, development of local regulations to protect water quality, lake improvement activities called for in a Department approved plan, and countywide lake classification. Counties, towns, cities, villages, public authorities and qualified lake associations as defined in s. 30.92(1)(br), Wis. Stats., public inland lake districts, non-profit groups, and other local governmental units established for lake management are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. The state cost shares up to 75% of project costs not to exceed $200,000. 

Priorities are set on a statewide basis (see ch. NR 191.08, Wis. Adm. Code) and consider the following factors: 1) lakes which have not previously received a lake protection grant; 2) the degree to which the project provides for the protection or improvement of water quality; 3) the degree to which the project provides for protection or improvement of other aspects of the natural ecosystem such as fish, wildlife or natural beauty; 4) the availability of public access to, and public use of the lakes; 5) the degree to which the proposed project complements other lake and watershed management efforts; 6) the level of support for the project from other affected management units; and 7) the level of financial support provided by the sponsor. Link to Environmental Financial Assistance Section Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.Contact your Regional Lakes Program Coordinator Applications are due in the Regional offices by May 1 of each year.

Recreational Trails Program
The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds to local units of government through the transfer of federal gas excise taxes paid on fuel used in off-highway vehicles. Eligible sponsors may receive a grant for up to 80% of the total project costs of a recreational trail project. Eligible projects include maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, construction of new trails (with certain restrictions on Federal lands), and acquisition of easement or property for trails. Application forms are available from the Department. Form more information see Recreational Trails Program  website. Funding priorities for motorized, non-motorized or compatible/multiple use trails is (in order of descending priority): rehabilitation of existing trails, trail maintenance, trail development, and trail acquisition. Link to Land & Recreation Forms Page. Link to Statutes Page.Contact your Regional Community Services Specialist

River Management Grants
River Protection Management grants provide state cost sharing assistance to eligible sponsors for implementing a specific activity or set of activities, other than planning activities, to protect or improve a river ecosystem as per s. 181.70 Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified river management organizations, and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0131, Wis. Stats., are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. For more information see the River Management Grants website. The state cost shares up to 75% of project costs not to exceed $50,000. Activities eligible for funding include: 1) purchase of land or of an easement subject to certain requirements, 2) development of local ordinances, and 3) restoration of in-stream or shoreland habitat.  Link to Environmental Financial Assistance Section Forms Page. Contact your Regional River Coordinator Applications are due in the Regional offices by May 1 of each year

River Planning
River Planning grants provide state cost sharing assistance to eligible sponsors for the collection, assessment and dissemination of information on riverine ecosystems, to assist in developing organizations to help manage rivers, to assist the public in understanding riverine ecosystems and to create management plans for the long term protection and improvement of riverine ecosystems as per s. 281.70, Wis. Stats. Counties, towns, cities, villages, non-profit groups and qualified river management organizations, and other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.0131, Wis. Stats., are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. For more information see the River Planning website. The state cost shares up to 75% up to a maximum of $10,000 per grant. Some eligible activities include (in priority order): 1) river organization development, 2) information and education, 3) assessments of water quality, fish, and aquatic life, and 4) nonpoint source evaluations.  Link to Environmental Financial Assistance Section Forms Page. Contact your Regional River Coordinator. Applications due in region offices by May 1 of each year

Funds are available to provide open natural space in proximity to urban development, to protect from development land with scenic, ecological or natural values in urban areas, and to provide land for noncommercial gardening in urban areas as per s. 23.09(19) Wis. Stats. Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, lake districts, Indian tribes and nonprofit conservation organizations under s. 23.096 Wis. Stats. are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required.  Link to Statutes PageContact your Regional Community Services Specialist Applications are due in the appropriate Region office by May 1 of each year

Funds are available to improve outdoor recreation opportunities by increasing access to urban rivers for a variety of public uses, economic revitalization through the improvement of the environmental quality in urban river corridors, and preserving and revitalizing historical, cultural, or natural areas as per s. 30.277, Wis. Stats. Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, and Tribal units of government are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. There is a 50% local match required. Eligible projects include acquisition of urban riverfront land that is part of an outdoor recreation plan adopted by the local unit of government. Land which is specifically identified in a river corridor plan for economic revitalization and outdoor recreation. Link to Statutes PageContact your Regional Community Services Specialist Applications are due in the Region office by May 1 of each year.

Waste Reducation and Recycling Demonstration Grants
Funds are available under s. 287.25, Wis. Stats., to implement the demonstration of innovative waste reduction, reuse and recycling ideas which could potentially be expanded to have a major impact on reducing the amount of solid waste being landfilled or treated. Wisconsin businesses, counties, municipalities, public entities, non-profit organizations and schools are eligible to apply on forms provided by the Department. For more information see the Waste Reduction and Recycling Demonstration Grants  website. The maximum grant amount is $150,000, or 50% of the total eligible costs of a project, whichever is less (exception: a special category, community wide waste reduction projects, can now receive 75% of total eligible costs). The applicant must match the grant in cash or in-kind contributions.  Applicants must provide evidence of having the technical ability, experience and financial support necessary to carry out the project. Under the Request for Proposal component of the program, projects may be submitted that, although not innovative, target special and hard-to-recycle wastes that may significantly impact the reduction or reuse of Wisconsin solid waste. Contact Sheila Henneger  Applications are due August 1 each year with grants being awarded by November 1.

Wetland Restoration Incentive Grant
The 2002-2003 state budget bill created a special wetland restoration grant opportunity. The law requires DNR to fund up to 25 grants of $10,000 each in each year of the biennium for wetland restoration or enhancement activities that are included in a comprehensive land use plan completed by an eligible sponsor.  All counties, cities, towns, villages, tribes, qualified lake associations as defined in s.281.68(1), Wis. Stats., town sanitary districts, other local governmental units as defined in s. 66.299(1)(a), Wis. Stats., which are established for the purpose of lake management, and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts are eligible to apply. For more information see the Wetland Restoration Incentive Grantwebsite. Application deadline is May 1 of each year. However, the department is required by statute to award the grants in the order in which they are received by the department, so the sponsor should submit the application as soon as it is complete.
 

Green and Healthy Schools Grant Program
Schools that have met the criteria for Green & Healthy School recognition and have submitted a completed grant application prior to May 1, 2005 will be reimbursed for some of the expenditures for the time and/or resources they may have incurred in the first year of the implementation of the program. Eligible expenditures may include, but are not limited to, team work, personal protection equipment, pedestrian and/or parking signs, record keeping supplies, the purchase of monitoring equipment, and recycling signs, decals and/or containers.

A total of $20,000 will be available, however, the awards will be pro-rated dependent upon the number of schools that apply for the grant. The maximum a school could receive is $1,000. Grant awards will be distributed by May 31, 2005. For more information see the Green and Healthy Schools Grant Program website
Deadline: Prior to May 1, 2004
 

Caroll D. Besadny  Scholarship

The $2,000 Carroll D. Besadny Scholarhsip, created by WEWG, established the University of Wisconsin Foundation scholarship in the name of the late Carroll D. "Buzz" Besadny, who passed away in March 1999. Besadny served as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources from 1980 to 1992, and is credited with facilitating many task forces and serving as a mediator between industry and environmental groups.
 

The WSO requires a written summary of your project or activity to be submitted to the WSO Board of Directors within two months after completion. This summary will appear in The Badger Birder (WSO monthly newsletter). 

Application form at the WSO website www.uwgb.edu/birds/wso/

Proposals must be received by the WSO Youth Education Coordinator by April 1 and/or October 1 of the calendar year.