The Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund

Creating and maintaining nature trails in Wisconsin

The Norma and Stanley DeBoer Quiet Trails Fund provides funding to support the creation and maintenance of quiet trails (e.g., walking, hiking, or skiing) in Wisconsin. Grants range from $500 to $1,000.

Grantmaking Priorities:

• The primary purpose is to create and maintain walking, hiking, or skiing trails open to the public in Wisconsin. This includes, but is not limited to: increasing access for people with disabilities; identification of trail locations; surveying; purchase of materials; construction; clean-up activities; repairs of trail surfaces, railings, or existing signage; and fees for necessary professional services.
• The secondary purpose is to enhance and promote quiet trails through activities including: habitat improvement adjacent to the trail; development, creation and installation of directional or explanatory signage and trail guide booklets; and modest costs of events designed to increase awareness and/or use of quiet trails.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be one of the following: a public charity with approved 501(c)(3) exempt status (under section 509(a)(1), 509(a)(2), or 509(a)(3) Type I and Type II status); a federal, state, or local governmental unit, an American Indian nation or tribal community; or an accredited school, college, or university. The following types of organizations are not eligible for funding: individuals; businesses; section 509(a)(3) Type III supporting organizations; section 501(c)(4) organizations; section 501(c)(7) organizations; private foundations; and private operating foundations.
• Projects must support trails in Wisconsin that are open to the public.
• Projects must support walking, hiking, or skiing trails.
• Funding may not be used to support projects associated with trails open to motorized vehicles (e.g., snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles) or mountain bikes.
• Project expenses may not have been incurred prior to submitting the application.

How to Apply:

1. Determine if your project addresses our grantmaking priorities and meets our eligibility requirements.
2. Complete the application (paper copies of applications are not accepted).
3. Submit all materials to NRFgrants@WisConservation.org by March 1st.
4. Applicants will be notified within six weeks.

Questions about your application?

If you have questions, please reach out to Marie Jensen, our Conservation Program Specialist, at Marie.Jensen@WisConservation.org. 

Congratulations to our 2026 Quiet Trails recipients

1. Tamarack Trail Restoration

A degraded and unsafe hiking trail in a high use area of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center will be restored and the habitat adjacent to the path will be improved, including a stand of tamarack trees along a wetland. Partner: Aldo Leopold Nature Center

2. Lyman Dayton Trail Project

This project will restore the Lyman Dayton Trail by removing invasive species, improving habitat quality, and enhancing safety and accessibility. This work encourages and enhances community trail access, while deepening connections to nature and fostering ongoing stewardship. Partner: Dayton Community Connection Inc.

3. Resurfacing main trail walkway

This project will resurface the main walkway at Eagle Nature Trail to stop erosion and improve the quality and safety of the walkway. Partner: Eagle Nature Trail

4. Maywood Park Trail Maintenance and Habitat Improvement

This project will maintain, and enhance quiet walking, hiking, and skiing trails at Ellwood H. May Environmental Park (Maywood) by controlling invasive species to improve access and planting native replacement plants to diversify wildlife habitat. Partner: Environmental Park Trust of Sheboygan County

5. Wheelchair Ramp for Turtle Trail Shelter and Barrens Trail Tower Maintenance

Friends of Buckhorn State Park will add a wheelchair ramp for Turtle Trail Shelter and maintenance of Barrens Trail Tower including railings. Partner: Friends of Buckhorn State Park

6. Safety First: Horicon Marsh Trekking Pole Procurement

12 trekking poles will be purchased to provide hikers with stability and aid along the paths no matter the weather, trail conditions or ability. Partner: Friends of Horicon Marsh International Education Center

7. Accessible Trail Enhancement

Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks will replace decaying wooden benches with new level, resistant to vandalism, and readily accessible benches, clear surrounding brush, and level bench areas adjacent to paved trail. Partner: Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks

8. Snowshoe Trail Kiosks and Wayfinding Information

This project will support construction of a snowshoe map kiosk and the purchase of trail signs for navigating newly created snowshoe trails at the Iola Winter Sports Club. Partner: Iola Winter Sports Club

9. Side Boardwalk Construction for Wet Mesic Forest Trail

Neighborhood House of Milwaukee will construct a 150-foot by 6-foot sustainable mini boardwalk trail within its 90-acre Nature Center. Partner: Neighborhood House of Milwaukee Inc.

10. Public Access Improvements to Ulao Creek Nature Preserve

This project will develop walking/hiking trails and a boardwalk at Ulao Creek Nature Preserve County Park in the Village of Grafton to provide public access throughout the Preserve and to Ulao Creek, which is largely within private ownership outside of the Preserve. The new trails and boardwalk will refine, connect to and expand the Preserve’s developing trail system and will be used for nature and wildlife viewing and critical connections to picnic areas, Ulao Creek access and designated parking areas. Partner: Ozaukee County Planning & Parks Department

11. Chickadee Interactive Trail improvements

River Bend Nature Center will repair and expand the interpretive portion on the Chickadee interactive trail by improving trail surface and trailside flora, and adding a rotation of seven interpretive exhibits on the trail over the spring, summer and fall months. Partner: River Bend Nature Center

12. Trail Maintenance in Urban Parks

The Urban Ecology Center will preserve the trails in their three urban Milwaukee parks, Riverside Park, Washington Park, and Three Bridges Park, to improve access to nature for people in the city. Partner: Urban Ecology Center