Madison Reporter

The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund, a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF), has reached $3 million in assets, according to an announcement made by both organizations. The milestone coincides with National Public Lands Day.

The fund was established to support conservation efforts across Wisconsin’s public lands, which total over 1.5 million acres. These lands include forests, prairies, streams, lakes, parks, trails, wildlife and fisheries areas, and state forests. Active stewardship is required for their management—this includes addressing invasive species, restoring native ecosystems, enhancing habitats for wildlife, and improving public access.

The endowment provides ongoing financial resources for habitat improvement and ecological restoration on state-owned or managed properties. According to the DNR and NRF, the fund distributes approximately $50,000 per year for every $1 million held in its endowment. Since its first disbursement in 2017—which funded projects in Walworth and Dunn counties—the fund has continued to support land stewardship activities throughout the state.

Last year alone saw five major habitat projects implemented in Calumet, Dane, Florence, Sauk and Vilas counties. In Vilas County specifically, grant money supported mowing brush, applying herbicides and removing excess trees to reclaim forest openings—work that benefits game species such as ruffed grouse and elk as well as several Species of Greatest Conservation Need like the American woodcock and golden-winged warbler.

Eric Lobner, Fish, Wildlife and Parks Division Administrator at DNR said: "The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund presents an exceptional opportunity for all who enjoy and appreciate the outdoors to help support the stewardship of our public lands, which are a critical fabric to what makes Wisconsin great. With the continued support of public land conservation through this endowment, our management efforts will continue to grow along with the fund as we work together to support Wisconsin's wild spaces and everything that depends on them."

Data provided by DNR indicates that about 5% of license purchasers choose to donate when renewing their hunting or fishing licenses via Go Wild; these donations make up 88% of all contributions received by the fund. The average donation is $4.27 per transaction.

Created by legislation in 2013 as a public-private partnership between DNR (state agency) and NRF (a nonprofit conservation group), the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund aims to provide a permanent funding source dedicated solely to caring for publicly owned natural areas across Wisconsin.

David Clutter—executive director at NRF—noted: "This milestone is exciting but the truth is that it isn't enough when you consider all the challenges nature faces in Wisconsin. If everyone renewing their hunting or fishing licenses gave just $2 we could put $3 million into the fund every year. Then we would make some amazing headway."

Those interested can learn more about donating directly on the NRF's Cherish Wisconsin webpage or contribute during license renewals through Go Wild.