ATC Environmental Stewardship Fund

In December 2005, American Transmission Company (ATC) and NRF entered into an Agreement creating the “ATC Environmental Stewardship Fund” through the Foundation. The Fund was created in late January 2006 with a $300,000 contribution from ATC. This Fund infuses significant long-term financial support into public conservation needs throughout the state. 

The Fund supports the restoration and management of public lands, endangered species protection, public education and outreach, and community-based conservation projects.  Fund recipients include conservation organizations, state and federal agencies and other non-taxed entities. 

An Advisory Team of five individuals, including several representatives from the private conservation community, advises the Foundation’s board of directors on the use of the Fund. The ultimate decision on the use of the Fund resides with the NRF’s board of directors. As established in the Agreement, a large portion of the Fund (approximately 40%) supports the active restoration and management of State Natural Areas, or SNAs. SNAs represent the “best of the best” landscapes in Wisconsin, housing some of our most threatened and endangered plant and animal species and remnant landscapes. 


Other conservation support is allocated to endangered species (ca. 10%), public education (ca. 10%) and community-based conservation (ca. 10%).  The remaining 30% of the Fund is undesignated, allowing the Team to propose creative uses of the Fund’s balance for innovative and effective conservation priorities as they arise.