Volunteers working at the Groundswell Conservancy, photo via Roberta Herschleb
Did you know that spending time in nature is proven to reduce negative emotions, increase attention spans, and increase empathy? [1] The Natural Resources Foundation is working to make sure these benefits are available to all—and that future Wisconsinites will be able to enjoy the beauty and natural heritage of Wisconsin 5, 50, or 150 years from now!  

Established in 1990, our C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund supports conservation and education projects that benefits every part of Wisconsin—lands, waters, and wildlife—and connect Wisconsinites to natural resources through education and outreach. Every year the fund awards grants to new and original projects that engage underserved communities, connect with local resources and partnerships, and demonstrate real outcomes.

Grants range anywhere from $500 to $2,000. This year’s awards totaling $25,448 will fund 19 different projects across Wisconsin.

The 2019 awardees are working on several projects throughout the state including: making sure our parks and playgrounds are accessible to all, bringing high-quality educational programs to underserved communities, removing invasive species from natural areas, as well as critical monitoring and research for our lands and wildlife.

Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited volunteers working, photo via CWTU

Lands & Waters

  • Catholic Multicultural Center (Dane County)
    • Restore and convert the CMC’s food pantry garden with native plants.
  • Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited (Winnebago County)
    • Pilot a new field monitoring technique to improve water quality data in Wisconsin.
  • Friends of Lapham Peak Unit (Waukesha County)
    • Remove invasive species in several locations and trails.
  • Groundswell Conservancy (Dane County)
    • Purchase two new chainsaws for land restoration and management activities.
  • Neighborhood House of Milwaukee (Dodge County)
    • Restore and care for forests and prairies at the Nature Center, as well as fund educational programming.
  • Riveredge Nature Center (Ozaukee County)
    • Install rainwater barrels at 23 local schools.
  • Upper Sugar River Watershed Association (Dane and Vernon Counties)
    • Purchase equipment and tools for volunteers.
Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center Education Class, photo via Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center

Wildlife

  • Bayfield County Adopt-A-Dumpster Program (Bayfield County)
    • Provide disposal sites for deer hunters to support efforts to reduce the spread of chronic wasting disease.
  • City of Janesville (Rock County)
    • Install bat houses at a local park in Janesville.
  • Friends of the Mead-McMillan (Portage, Wood, and Marathon Counties)
    • Build a new waterfowl blind and boardwalk that is ADA accessible.
  • Hoo’s Woods Raptor Center (Statewide)
    • Fund raptor education programs for schools, low-income organizations, and seniors.
Schulte Garden Volunteers, Catholic Multicultural Center, photo via Schulte Gardens

Education & Outreach

  • Friends of High Cliff State Park (Calumet County)
    • Build an ADA accessible playground and recreation area.
  • Friends of the North Pikes Creek Wetlands (Bayfield County)
    • Build a new information kiosk at the Badger Hollow Outdoor Education area.
  • Golden Sands Research Conservation & Development Council (Waushara and Waupaca Counties)
    • Create new groundwater lesson programming.
  • Harbor District (Milwaukee County)
    • Fund environmental education both in the classroom and on field trips.
  • Mississippi Valley Conservancy (Crawford County)
    • Convert the Kickapoo Caverns cave entrance building to an educational center.
  • Friends of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (Milwaukee County)
    • Engage 175 young students from the area in an ephemeral wetland monitoring citizen science project.
  • Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (multiple counties)
    • Redesign SEWISC’s invasive species website for better education and accessibility.
  • UW-Madison Arboretum (Dane County)
    • Engage citizen scientists in a Mycoflora fungal monitoring citizen science project.

To learn more about the C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund or to apply next year, visit our webpage.

Written by Katie Herrick, Communications Assistant

A Conversation with Damian Vraniak

Damian Vraniak shares how 40 years of restoration on his family’s land has allowed humans, wildlife, and land to sustain each other.

Welcoming the 2023 Diversity in Conservation Internship Cohort

We are thrilled to announce our 2023 Cohort of the Diversity in Conservation Internship Program. This year, we are welcoming ten new interns!

How do birds respond to land restoration?

A collaborative research effort is answering an important question: how are Wisconsin’s birds using restored grasslands?

Private Land, Public Good

Private land restoration can make a huge impact on the conservation landscape, with 82% of land in Wisconsin being privately owned.

Diversity in the Outdoors

NRF is committed to improving diversity in the outdoors in Wisconsin because everyone deserves an opportunity to get outside.

30 Years of Field Trips

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Field Trip Program! Let’s take a look back at the success of this program throughout the years.

Welcome to the Foundation, Soumi!

We’re thrilled to welcome our new Donor & Relations Coordinator, Soumika Gaddameedi.

2022 Photo Contest Winners

Every year you send us your best photos that capture incredible moments in nature. Take a look at our 2022 Photo Contest winners!

Slimy but Sweet – Searching for Mudpuppies in Wisconsin

New funding is supporting a state-wide effort to learn more about mudpuppies in Wisconsin, our state’s only fully aquatic salamander.

Making A Difference in Wisconsin: NRF’s 2022 Grants for Conservation and Environmental Education

In 2022, NRF invested more than $1 million in grants for conservation and environmental education projects across the state.