Program Name: Healthy Lakes & Rivers
Funding Organization: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Contact Information: Pamela Toshner, Healthy Lakes & Rivers Team Leader, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Email: Pamela.Toshner@wisconsin.gov

Grant Details: Healthy Lakes & Rivers is a subprogram of the Surface Water Management grant program that aims to improve habitat and water quality in shoreland properties. The grants provide funding for five best practices that can be installed in the littoral, transition/buffer, and upland zones of shoreland properties. The grants offer up to $1,000 per Best Practice and up to $25,000 for an eligible applicant applying on behalf of multiple property owners. The grant is renewed every year and has two application deadlines - September 15th for the first applicant (pre-application) and November 15th for all other applicants.

Eligibility: Any eligible applicant can apply for the Healthy Lakes & Rivers grants. However, it's important to note that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources cannot provide funding directly to individual shoreland property owners. It is recommended to review the grant application on the Wisconsin DNR's Surface Water Grants Website and consult with a local DNR Environmental Grant Specialist and Lake Biologist to ensure eligibility and receive guidance on next steps.

Other Information: To successfully apply for the grant, it is suggested to recruit shoreland property owners who are interested in implementing Healthy Lakes & Rivers practices on their property. Various resources are available to assist with project implementation, including local citizen champions, landscapers, native plant nurseries, restoration contractors, county Land and Water Conservation Departments, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources professionals, University of Wisconsin-Extension professionals, and members of the Healthy Lakes & Rivers Team. Extensive design work is not necessary or expected for grant application purposes as projects should be relatively simple and low-cost.

Please refer to the provided contact information for further details or inquiries.