New fund will help our state's publicly owned lands and waters
Natural Resources Board Approves Endowment to Benefit Wisconsin
[EDITOR’S ADVISORY: A video accompanies this news release on the DNR website.]
PEMBINE, Wis—The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board formally approved the creation of the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund at its meeting today.
The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund is an endowment fortified by investments from citizens and businesses. Investing in the Fund will help ensure that the 1.5 million acres of publicly owned forests, barrens, grasslands, wetlands, brush land, streams and lakes in Wisconsin are cared for today and for future generations to enjoy.
The purpose of the fund is to protect, restore and improve habitat to benefit Wisconsin’s plants and animals and the people who enjoy and use these resources.
From enhancing forest health to restoring wetlands and combating invasive species, the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund was created to last lifetimes because the state’s lands, waters, and wildlife must last lifetimes.
“We believe the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund is a critical means for everyone to support the places that are so important to Wisconsin. Caring for the lands and waters that belong to all of us means we’re investing in our state’s ability to thrive both economically and biologically,” says Preston Cole, Chair of the Natural Resources Board. “We invite people to donate to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund online at CherishWisconsin.org.”
Hunters, anglers, and other Department of Natural Resources license purchasers can also donate at their local vendor when they purchase a service from DNR; this new service debuted this week.
“I strongly support the need for private funding sources to properly maintain our precious state lands and resources, and I’m proud to donate to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund,” says Cole.
“The DNR takes very seriously our role to manage our state’s publicly owned lands and waters,” says DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp. “The responsibility is akin to home ownership, and that means investing in maintenance. In the case of our forests and streams, those investments must continue forever, which means the funding must also be available forever.”
Individuals in Wisconsin spend approximately $3 billion annually on hunting, fishing and wildlife related recreation. Tourism provides $16 billion in spending. Forestry is a $22 billion industry. All of these are tied to having access and the opportunity to enjoy and use our healthy and robust lands and waters.
“The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund provides a means for all citizens, not just our sportsmen but our birdwatchers, our hikers, and our kayakers, to give back to the places that provide them so much joy,” says Ruth Oppedahl, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, which will manage and distribute the endowment. “Part of our role as a partner is to market the fund to audiences other than DNR’s traditional users.”
The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund was created through unanimous legislation signed into law by Governor Walker in 2012. The law enables the DNR to request over-the-counter voluntary contributions from the four million citizens who currently purchase annual “services” such as licenses.
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin will hold and manage the Fund. The Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) organization established in 1986, which currently manages more than 60 endowment funds with a value of over $7 million. For more information visit www.wisconservation.org (exit DNR).
Eligible areas for funding include state owned or managed lands such as State Wildlife Areas, State Fishing Areas, State Parks, and State Natural Areas. Set criteria will be used to apply to each potential project to determine conservation priority. Every $1 million in the Fund endowment will distribute approximately $50,000 per year for habitat management in Wisconsin.