DNR awards $6.5M to help protect Wisconsin’s surface water

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource (DNR)’s Surface Water Grant Program has awarded over $6.5 million in grant funding to nonprofit organizations, lake associations, and municipalities throughout Wisconsin. Funding will be used to help restore and protect the state’s surface water resources in 2023 and beyond.

This year, the program received 446 applications from eligible applicants requesting over $7.2 million. The projects include work on outreach and education, management planning, habitat restoration, runoff and pollution reduction, and aquatic invasive species control.

Healthy Lakes and Rivers grants were awarded to 28 organizations. Additionally, 163 groups will receive support to participate in the Clean Boats, Clean Waters program. Local advocates will focus on education and outreach to empower watercraft users to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species between waterbodies.