Waubesa Wetlands State Natural Area is one of the highest quality and most diverse wetlands in Wisconsin. As one of NRF’s priority conservation sites, we supported the restoration and management of this site in 2024. We were also proud to support the production of a documentary short film highlighting the wonders of this hidden wetland. Photo by Ben Albert
Connecting People, Protecting Nature: NRF’s 2024 Conservation Highlights
In 2024, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin granted $1,000,676 to support 228 conservation and environmental education projects to 133 unique organizations across the state. NRF’s three primary impact areas are lands and waters conservation, wildlife conservation, and environmental education. We also support projects that build climate resiliency for Wisconsin’s natural resources. Simultaneously, we support projects that help make the field of conservation and access to the outdoors more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
2024 Grants for Conservation StoryMap
Our 2024 Grants for Conservation StoryMap shows all the grants made throughout the year. The different colored pins represent our three impact areas. Lands and waters conservation projects are green, wildlife conservation projects are yellow, and environmental education projects are blue. Zoom in on different counties for a full view of projects supported in the area and click on pins to learn more about individual projects.
Grant Highlight: Rocks Above, Rocks Below: Merrimac Community School
Students while hiking Flint Rock Trail at Blue Mounds State Park to observe rock formations and nature highlights. Photo by Jenna McCann
In 2024, NRF helped provide transportation for over 100 students from Merrimac Community School to visit Blue Mounds State Park and Cave of the Mounds. Thanks to our supporters, we were able to support this through our Teachers’ Outdoor Environmental Education Fund. The fund’s goal is to ensure all Wisconsin students have access to meaningful outdoor education.
Students from Merrimac Community School hiked the Flint Rock Trail at Blue Mounds State Park, checking out the rocks, plants, and animals. Many students expressed an interest in returning to the trail in the spring to see the differences. Then, the students went to Cave of the Mounds and learned about the underground geology of the area. Throughout the tour of the cave, students learned about the forces that shaped the cave and how the formations continue to change.
Students on a tour of Cave of the Mounds learn about underground rock formations. Photo by Jenna McCann
From the Classroom to the Cave
During their Earth Science unit in school, the students had learned about Wisconsin geology and the rocks in their backyards. While hiking the Flint Rock Trail at Blue Mounds State Park, classroom learning was brought to life as the students discovered limestone, dolomite, and chert rocks. During the tour of Cave of the Mounds, students saw cave formations like stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. They also learned about the history of the cave.
In class, students had watched water move in a groundwater model. In the cave, students saw and felt the water drops and made connections far stronger than the classroom alone.
This field trip gave the students a hands-on, eyes-on, and brains-on experience that directly related to what they were learning in the classroom. Afterwards, students had a better understanding of Wisconsin’s rich geological history, better use of earth science vocabulary, and could visually identify rocks and formations. Back in the classroom, students created models of caves. Using accurate terminology, they also labeled features of the model caves that they saw firsthand during the field trip.
Students on the cave tour connecting what they learned in the classroom to the real world. Photo by Jenna McCann
More Featured Grants
The Prairie Enthusiasts - Building Bridges to Nature in Iowa County
The Prairie Enthusiasts received a grant from the C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund to support the repair of a bridge connecting the two parts of the Sylvan Road Conservation Area, ensuring safe access for visitors. This area is a rare, high quality wetland/stream habitat and is home to over 340 native plant species.
We recently announced our 2024 C.D. Besadny Conservation Fund grant recipients! Check out the full list of projects funded.
Photo by Janet Moredock
Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance – Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative
We supported the purchase of stickers and other marketing materials for the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative to be used as outreach materials at events. The goal? Inspiring people in Wisconsin to take action to help save the monarch butterfly. NRF is proud to have supported the founding of the collaborative, which is a network of over 50 organizations and agencies working together to increase monarch butterfly habitat throughout Wisconsin.
Photo by Emma Schatz
Zablocki Elementary Nature Experience in Milwaukee County
Through the Go Outside Fund, we supported a field trip for 24 students from Zablocki Elementary School to visit the Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center. The students spent the day exploring the forests, meadows and wetlands – learning while engaging with the natural environment in a fun and active way. For many of the students, this was their first time visiting a nature center!
Photo by Ludys Ebratt
Kirtland’s Warbler Conservation in Adams County
Thanks to a grant from the Bird Protection Fund, the Wisconsin DNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation team continued population recovery and conservation of the state endangered Kirtland’s warbler, specifically through nest monitoring. Our state is a critical area for the expansion of the population beyond its core breeding range in Michigan.
Check out the full list of projects supported by the 2024 Bird Protection Fund. In April, join us for this year’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon to raise funds for the Bird Protection Fund!
Photo by Maia Persche
Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area management in Florence County
Through the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund, we supported the removal of invasive species at Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area. This will help restore open areas and clear the way for prescribed burning, improving habitat for both rare species and wild game. Spread Eagle Barrens is home to globally important bracken grasslands and pine barrens habitats.
Since 2007, NRF has supported the restoration of 8,000 acres of globally rare pine barrens at Spread Eagle Barrens. Read more on our blog.
Photo by Caitlin Williamson
Thank you
NRF’s grantmaking is made possible through the support of our donors, supporters, and members. We are grateful to everyone who supports our work to conserve Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and connect generations to nature. Last but not least, thank you to our grant recipients for the important work that you do for Wisconsin!