The History & Mission of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin

Anticipating budget cuts in the mid 1980's, the Natural Resources Board of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) decided a foundation was needed to secure private contributions for the conservation of public natural resources. In 1986, the Natural Resources Board authorized the creation of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) to support public conservation priorities throughtout Wisconsin.

NRF's first board meeting took place on September 19, 1986. In attendance were the six initial board of directors: Don Anderson, Collins Ferris, Dan Flaherty, Chairman Paul Hassett, Bob Pohl and Nash Williams; two ex-officio directors: John Lawton and C.D. Besadny; and NRF staff David Hanson, Martin Henert, Holly Kuusinen, Craig Karr, Ron Semmann, Dan Weizenicker and Jerilyn Dahmen. In just a few months time, the board of directors increased to twelve members with the additions of John Brasch, Dave Ladd, Cliff Messinger, Sally Runge, D.James Stewart and Quenton Williams.

Today NRF has evolved into an organization with over 2000 members. Our mission is to create opportunities for people who care about Wisconsin's lands, waters and wildlife to deepen their understanding and appreciation for these natural resources, to support state and local conservation programs, and to establish conservation endowments. NRF accomplishes that mission by raising funds for: Rare and Endangered Species, Habitat Protection & Restoration, Community-Based Conservation, Environmental Education & Outreach and General Support for the DNR. Many endangered resources, habitats, conservation organizations and government agencies have benefited, and will continue to benefit, from Foundation support.

The following are a sample of projects that have been made possible through our work:

Rare and Endangerd Species Protection

• Reintroduction of a self-sustaining, breeding population of trumpeter swans in Wisconsin
  
• Reintroduction of the federally endangered whooping crane into Wisconsin
  
• Surveying and management of raptors on the Species of Greatest Conservation Need List 
• Support for bat, wood turtle, and American Marten protection projects

Habitat Protection & Restoration

• Provision of over $400,000 for the preservation and management of Wisconsin's State Natural Areas
  
• Formation of Friends of State Natural Areas and the Adopt-a-Natural Area Program

Community-Based Conservation

• Provision of hundreds of small, matching grants to local conservation groups through the C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program

Environmental Education & Outreach

• Over 100 field trips offered annually to Wisconsin's unique places
  
• Support for the Minority Internship Program in Milwaukee
  
• Construction of the Sandhill Outdoors Skills Center at Sandhill Wildlife Area
  
• Publication of DNR field guides on the flora and fauna of Wisconsin
• Support of Statewide education programs including Junior Ranger, Project Learning Tree and Project WET 

General Support for DNR

• Distribution of nearly 2 million dollars to the WDNR for environmental education, wildlife and endangered resource protection programs
  
• Construction of handicap accessible trails and cabins in state parks and nature preserves
  
• Development of the Natural Heritage Inventory Portal
  
• Publication of the Land Legacy Report