Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program
Friends Groups

The Wisconsin Legislature has allocated $60 million annually through 2010 to provide outdoor recreational opportunities, protect sensitive lands, and conserve and restore wildlife habitat. Each year, $250,000 will be set aside in a special grant program for Friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations (NCOs) to improve facilities, build new recreation projects and restore habitat on state properties. The program recognizes the important role these groups play in meeting the development and restoration needs of state properties.

Who May Apply - Eligible Friends groups must be nonstock, nonprofit corporations described under Section 501(c)(3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501(a). In addition, the group must have formed to raise funds for a state property and also have a written Friends agreement with the Department of Natural Resources.

Eligible NCOs must be nonprofit corporations, charitable trusts or other nonprofit associations described in Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and exempt from taxation under section 501 (a). In addition, the purpose of the organization must include the acquisition of property for conservation purposes.

How Much Money is Available - A total of $250,000 is available each year for grants under this program, with a limit of $20,000 per property. Depending on the number of applicants, there may be competition for available funds. Funding for large projects may be applied for in phases, with a limit of $20,000 per year, or $60,000 total to qualify. There must be a usable component of the project at the end of each phase.

Grants Awarded - Grants are awarded for up to 50% of project costs. The other 50% of project costs shall be provided by the project sponsor. Up to 50% of the sponsor’s share of project costs may be non-cash donations such of materials, equipment use, services, and labor.

What Projects Are Eligible? - Grants are awarded to qualified Friends groups and NCOs for development projects and habitat restoration on state property. The following requirements must be met for projects to be eligible:

• Project must be for “nature-based outdoor recreation,” meaning those activities where the primary focus is the appreciation or enjoyment of nature, including support facilities for those activities such as parking areas, shelter buildings and trails but excluding facilities for activities such as sports fields, tennis courts, and swimming pools.
• Project addresses unmet needs consistent with the property master plan, or if no master plan is available, DNR approved plans for the property, unless the project is for a cooperative trail.
• Project must be identified in a property’s 6 year facilities plan, except for habitat restoration projects and projects for cooperative trails.

What Expenses Are Eligible

Grant funds may be spent on:

• Materials, supplies, services, labor
• Salaries, fringe benefits, if directly related to the project
• Rental or lease of equipment to perform the project
• Building and land restoration, if project adds to the permanent inventory or resources of the property
• Furnishings (e.g. furniture) - only if part of a larger development project and amounts to 6% or less of total project costs. Contact the Bureau of Parks and Recreation early in your planning process to verify that your furnishings will qualify.

Grant funds may not be spent on:

• Administrative overhead
• Equipment such as computers, AV equipment, tools, and shop equipment
• Educational materials such as brochures, videos, and books
• Playground equipment

Because program funds originate from bonded money, a development project must be a permanent improvement, having a life expectancy of 20 years or more.

Project Selection Priorities - In accordance with state statute, priority shall be given to projects submitted by Friends groups over NCOs. Additionally, priority will be given to projects that do any of the following:

• Leverage Stewardship grant against other funding in addition to the 50% sponsor match
• Expand recreation opportunities
• Address visitor/public health, environmental, safety or security problems
• Expand or improve environmental education and interpretation programs and outdoor skills development
• Restore habitat in a manner consistent with approved management plans

Additional factors that may be considered:

• Whether the project enhances or is cooperative with a department capital improvement
• Whether the project supports volunteer-based user services

How to Apply - Start planning your project early and communicate with your property manager often about your project goals. To apply for a grant, complete a Stewardship Application for State Property Development Projects Form 2500-112 (PDF, 80KB) and send it to the manager of your state property prior to the application deadline. The Board of Directors of the group must authorize the proposal by completing and signing a resolution of authorization. Your application will be approved by the property manager and regional director and then forwarded to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation in Madison where it will be evaluated and ranked with other applications from around the state. To be considered, the application, including all required attachments and signatures must be received in the Bureau of Parks and Recreation by November 15.

Groups that are awarded grants will receive a grant agreement that they must sign and return to the Department along with documentation that they have their required project match. The Department may then advance up to 100% of the grant amount to the group.

Application Deadline - November 15th.

Project Timelines - Projects should not be started until you receive your signed grant contract and should be completed within 2 years. Any costs that are incurred for a project prior to the signed grant contract will not be eligible for reimbursement except planning, contracting, and engineering (with the provision that if the grant is not approved or completed funds will not be issued toward these costs).

For More Information and Application Forms - Please contact your property manager or Marissa DeGroot, Bureau Parks and Recreation, WDNR, Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707. Telephone number 608-266-7617; E-mail Marissa.DeGroot@wisconsin.gov

For more information on becoming an official friend of a particular state park, forest, or trail, go to the Bureau of Parks and Recreation. There is a Frequently Asked Question Page also where you can find out more information.

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