Opportunities For Involvement

Getting Involved with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) offers diverse opportunities for you to participate in our conservation mission, in addition to making an annual membership gift or special campaign contribution for Rare and Endangered Species Protection, State Natural Areas and Invasive Species Management, Education and Outreach, and the Wisconsin Conservation Endowment. For more information on the following opportunities, please visit www.wisconservation.org, call (866) 264-4096 or email info@wisconservation.org.

Conservation Explorations

Join NRF on one of over 90 domestic field trips, and two international excursions offered annually. Wisconsin-based trips are led by Department of Natural Resources staff and include nature hikes, river trips, wildlife monitoring, birding, biking and fishing trips to unique places throughout the state. International trips bring you to exotic destinations with diverse natural and cultural resources, and are limited to 15 persons per trip in order to provide you with an intimate travel experience. Domestic and international trip information can be found at Get Involved, Travel Opportunities. 

Volunteer Opportunities

NRF welcomes volunteer help for general office assistance in our Madison office, restoration and management of State Natural Areas statewide, or help with educating others about NRF’s mission and programs by inviting an NRF staff person to give a presentation to a civic or professional association in your community. If you are interested in volunteering or helping with community outreach, please call (866) 264-4096 or email info@wisconservation.org.

Adopt-a-Natural Area

NRF invites individuals, businesses and organizations to become directly involved in the protection and stewardship of Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas (SNA) through our Adopt-a-Natural Area Program.  You can adopt an individual natural area by providing financial and/or volunteer support for the property’s upkeep. A three-year commitment is generally requested, but annual adoptions are also welcome. You can adopt an SNA for $1,000, $5,000, or $10,000 per year, depending on the management needs at a given property, or provide in-kind volunteer support. To request more information on our Adopt-a-Natural Area Program, call (866) 264-4096 or email info@wisconservation.org.

Monthly Giving

You can make your annual donation to NRF in monthly installments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This convenient method of support allows you to have a set amount transferred each month directly from your checking account.  EFT provides NRF with a steady, predictable source of support and may allow you to enhance your annual giving level.  Furthermore, you’ll save both paper and time by eliminating regular membership renewal reminders. Please use the attached response card to sign up for Electronic Funds Transfer.

Matching Gifts

Check with your employer or any professional associations that you belong to and ask if they will match your gift to NRF. If your employer (either current or former) has a match gift program, simply request an application and return it with your donation. Having your gift matched is a creative way to strengthen the impact of your contribution.

Non-Cash Gifts

You can make a gift of appreciated securities or real estate to NRF, and enjoy unique tax benefits while making a charitable contribution. By giving a gift of appreciated securities, you may avoid capital gains tax while enjoying an income tax deduction for the current fair market value of your gift. A gift of real estate yields a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the property, and can help you avoid capital gains tax. For more information on non-cash gifts and instructions on how to transfer a gift of securities, see our Gift Acceptance Policy, or request a copy by calling (866) 264-4096.

Conservation Steward Society

The Conservation Steward Society recognizes individuals who choose to contribute an annual unrestricted gift to the Natural Resources Foundation of $1,000 or more to help sustain our conservation mission. Conservation Steward Society members provide the invaluable operational support NRF relies on to continue its core functions and activities. Members are given special recognition in NRF publications, listed as honorary sponsors of all NRF events, provided with in depth updates on NRF’s conservation activities, and invited to an annual reception honoring them for their leadership and support. For more information on becoming a member, call (866) 264-4096 or email info@wisconservation.org.

Wisconsin Conservation Endowment

NRF provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to create a named, endowed fund for the conservation issue they care most about: be it a particular region of the state; a specific species of wildlife; a favorite landscape; public conservation program, or nonprofit conservation organization. Individuals can also create a general conservation fund to provide a perpetual source of general funding to wherever Wisconsin needs it most. Named, endowed funds require a minimum gift of $10,000 and can be created incrementally through an acorn fund or designated through a future estate gift. For more information, visit What We Do.

Natural Heritage Circle

By making a planned gift to NRF, you will join others who have made a future commitment to safeguard Wisconsin’s precious natural resources for future generations and become a member of our Natural Heritage Circle. Planned gifts include a bequest through a will or trust, or gifts from retirement accounts or life insurance policies, as well as life-income gifts such as Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts which allow you to make a charitable gift while living and receive a predictable source of annual income. Planned gifts can be made through cash or non-cash gifts such as appreciated securities or real estate. For more information on Planned Giving with NRF, or to view suggested language on how to include NRF in your will or estate plans, visit How to Give.