Lands and Waters

Protecting Wisconsin’s most ecologically important landscapes

Wisconsin’s public lands protect many ecologically significant and rare landscapes. State Forests provide habitat for large wildlife such as elk, wolves, and bears, while State Natural Areas protect the last remaining examples of globally-imperiled ecological communities, such as savannas, wetlands, and barrens.

Wisconsin’s public lands and waters are also part of our state’s natural heritage, and provide unparalleled opportunities for people to connect with nature. Whether you love hiking, paddling, fishing, hunting, birding, camping, biking, or simply find comfort in the beauty and tranquility of the outdoors, Wisconsin’s public lands and waters are here for all of us to enjoy.

Our public lands are under threat

Invasive species, climate change, and significant cuts to state funding for natural resource management threaten to permanently alter our landscapes and diminish habitat for rare and threatened wildlife species. The Natural Resources Foundation works to address Wisconsin’s most important conservation needs, by bridging support from thousands of people across Wisconsin to our conservation partners and projects across our state.

Acres restored

grants for lands and waters

in funding for lands and waters

Our strategy for conserving lands and waters

Partnerships

We support and partner with a wide range of conservation organizations who are already doing important research and on-the-ground work. Their knowledge and experience guides our strategy and by strengthening their efforts, we all reach our goals of conserving Wisconsin’s natural resources.

Big Picture

We emphasize a landscape-level approach, targeting multiple properties within an important landscape like the Lower Wisconsin Riverway. By focusing our efforts within specific landscapes we create efficiencies, leverage resources, and create an impact that is both broad and deep.

Public Trust

Every conservation project we fund benefits lands that are open to the public. From beloved places like Devil’s Lake State Park and the Lower Chippewa River Basin to little-known gems nestled in far flung corners of the state, we are dedicated to caring for our shared natural heritage.

Sustainability

Lasting and meaningful improvements don’t happen quickly, which is why we focus on finding ways to provide permanent, sustainable funding for land and water conservation efforts. Through smart financial investments like endowment funds we are ensuring Wisconsin’s future.

Help us make a meaningful impact on Wisconsin’s lands and waters.

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Impact in Action

2021 C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund Awarded to 14 Organizations Across Wisconsin

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin awarded the C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to 14 organizations across Wisconsin working to support grassroots conservation and education projects.

Sweet, sweet habitat: Restoring the Sugar River Wetlands

Thanks to a grant from the Alliant Energy Foundation, we were able to create and restore habitat for pollinators and wildlife species at the Sugar River Wetlands State Natural Area

The Kirtland’s warbler is here to stay

There is now permanent funding to support Kirtland’s warbler conservation efforts in Wisconsin! The American Bird Conservancy Kirtland’s Warbler Fund, held by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, was established to provide a sustainable funding source for conservation efforts for the state-endangered Kirtland’s warbler in Wisconsin.