Federal data is complete from 1998-2017. State and local data is complete from 1998-2011. In the tables and charts below, acres are allocated to each program proportionate to the size of the contributions to each acquisition. For example, if an acquisition had two contributions, and each program contributed equal dollar amounts, each program receives 50% of the acres. If you have questions or want to provide updated information, please contact Jessica Welch at jessica.welch@tpl.org.
Profile of State Program(s)
Wisconsin Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program: Wisconsin’s Stewardship Program uses general obligation bonds to fund land conservation. When the program was first established in 1989, it was funded at $23.1 million per year. In 1993, the Stewardship Program was renamed the Warren Knowles-Gaylord Nelson Stewardship Program. In 2000, it was re-authorized to be funded at $46 million per year, and in 2002, funding was increased to $60 million per year.
In 2007, Governor Doyle re-authorized the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund through 2020. Beginning July 1, 2010 program funding was to increase from $60 million to $86 million per year in general bonding authority to support and ensure continued conservation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), nonprofit conservation organizations, and local governments. Starting in 2010, DNR was required to use $12 million a year in matching grants to non-profit organizations, and local governments became eligible to receive up to $11.5 million annually. In 2011, the state budget reduced funding back to $60 million. About 1.5 million acres are currently in stewardship. Until May 2015, the program was limited to funding property development, including repair and maintenance of roads and boat access sites, and the renovation of a fish hatchery, as the governor had placed a moratorium on land acquisition. After much lobbying from local conservation organizations, the Joint Committee on Finance voted to restore funding for land acquisition in May 2015. The 2015-2017 funding for the Stewardship program was set at $33.5 million per year, including $9 million for Department of Natural Resources land acquisition, $7 million for Nonprofit Conservation Organizations (land trusts), and $6 million for Local Governments.
Fifty percent of the funds available in the Local Assistance Program are set aside for projects that improve community recreation areas and acquire land for public outdoor recreation. Twenty percent of the funds available in the Local Assistance Program are set aside for the Urban Rivers Program. Grants to local governments and nonprofit conservation organizations are generally grouped into two categories: grants to purchase land or conservation easements or grants to purchase land or fund recreational development on public lands.
Grants to purchase land or conservation easements:
The Natural Areas Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of land or conservation easements to be included in the State Natural Area Program. Each fiscal year, $4.8 million is available for Natural Areas grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The Habitat Areas Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of land or conservation easements that protect wildlife-based recreation and wildlife habitat. Each fiscal year, $4.8 million is available for Habitat Areas grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The Streambank Protection Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of land or conservation easements that protect water quality and fish habitat. Each fiscal year, $1.2 million is available for Streambank Protection grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The State Trails Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations for the acquisition of land or conservation easements that expand designated state trails. Each fiscal year, $1.2 million is available for State Trails grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The Acquisition and Development of Local Parks Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations, towns, villages, cities, counties, and tribal governments for land acquisition projects and development projects that provide nature-based outdoor recreation. Nonprofit conservation organizations may only apply for funds for land acquisition. Each fiscal year, $4.0 million is available for Local Park grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources. Funds are allocated on a regional basis with 70 percent distributed based on each county’s proportionate share of the state population, and 30 percent distributed equally to each county.
The County Forest Land Acquisition Program makes grants to counties who have lands in the County Forest Program. Funding allocated each year to this grant program varies, but grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, with counties matching at least 50 percent of project costs with non-state funds.
Grants to purchase land or fund recreational development on public lands:
The Urban Green Space Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations, towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governments, lake sanitary districts, and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts to provide open natural space within or in proximity to urban areas, protect scenic or ecological urban areas from development, and provide land for urban agriculture. Each fiscal year, $1.2 million is available for Urban Green Space grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The Urban Rivers Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations, towns, villages, cities, counties, and tribal governments to restore or preserve the character of urban river ways through the acquisition or development of land adjacent to rivers. Each fiscal year, $1.6 million is available for Urban Rivers grants. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources. Funds are allocated statewide so applicants complete against other applicants statewide. No sponsor can receive more than 20 percent of the funds allocated in any fiscal year.
The Acquisition of Development Rights Program makes grants to nonprofit conservation organizations, towns, villages, cities, counties, and tribal governments to fund the acquisition of conservation easements to protect natural, agricultural or forestlands that enhance and/or provide nature-based outdoor recreation. Each fiscal year, $800,000 is available for the acquisition of development rights. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs. The other portion must come from non-state sources.
The Friends Groups Program makes grants to friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to fund development projects and habitat restoration on state property. Each fiscal year, $250,000 is available for friends groups. Grants are awarded for up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.
Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative: The Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative (WLI) was signed into law in 2009 as part of the 2009 – 2011 state budget. The program has three main components: updates to the state’s current Farmland Preservation planning and zoning policy; the ability for farmers and local governments to establish voluntary Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEA); and a state program to aid farmland conservation through the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE).
The PACE program is the land acquisition arm of the WLI. Funding for PACE funding comes through the state’s bond-funded Stewardship Fund, and provides up to 50% of the cost of the easement. A total of $5.2 million was allocated for the program. Of this, approximately $4.82 million was spent to acquire 18 conservation easements and the balance returned to the WI DNR. At present, no further funding is available for further PACE acquisitions.
Substantial State Investment
Wisconsin’s Stewardship Program uses general obligation bonds to fund land conservation. The 2015-2017 funding for the Stewardship program was set at $33.5 million per year, including $9 million for Department of Natural Resources land acquisition, $7 million for Nonprofit Conservation Organizations (land trusts), and $6 million for Local Governments. Fifty percent of the funds available in the Local Assistance Program are set aside for projects that improve community recreation areas and acquire land for public outdoor recreation. Twenty percent of the funds available in the Local Assistance Program are set aside for the Urban Rivers Program. Grants to local governments and nonprofit conservation organizations are generally grouped into two categories: grants to purchase land or conservation easements or grants to purchase land or fund recreational development on public lands. For more information about this program, see the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund section.
The Wisconsin Working Lands Initiative (WLI) was signed into law in 2009 as part of the 2009 – 2011 state budget. The program has three main components: updates to the state’s current Farmland Preservation planning and zoning policy; the ability for farmers and local governments to establish voluntary Agricultural Enterprise Areas (AEA); and a state program to aid farmland conservation through the Purchase of Agricultural Conservation Easements (PACE).
The PACE program is the land acquisition arm of the WLI. Funding for PACE funding comes through the state’s bond-funded Stewardship Fund, and provides up to 50% of the cost of the easement. A total of $5.2 million was allocated for the program. Of this, approximately $4.82 million was spent to acquire 18 conservation easements and the balance returned to the WI DNR. At present, no further funding is available for further PACE acquisitions.
State Incentive for Local Conservation Funding
Part of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund is available each year in the form of grants to local units of government and nonprofit conservation organizations. These grants help fund land acquisition and recreational development statewide (please see Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, above). The grants to local governments are generally over-subscribed, thus the application process is very competitive. Grant applications from nonprofit organizations are much more likely to be funded, as funding for nonprofits is more politically tenable.
Local Financing Enabled
Local governments in Wisconsin have the authority to issue general obligation bonds, a sales tax or property taxes for land conservation.
Local Programs Included
Local conservation programs include:
- Dane County, WI
Visit www.landvote.org for detailed information on this program.
Federal Partnerships
Federal agencies and programs that have conserved land in Wisconsin include:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Migratory Bird Conservation Fund (MBCF)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA)
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Section 6 Grant
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Forest Service – Forest Legacy Program (FLP)
- U.S. Forest Service – Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
- U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP)
- U.S. National Park Service
- U.S. National Park Service – LWCF Stateside
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Grassland Reserve Program (GRP)
- U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service – Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP)