Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust Restoration Grants (In-Lieu Fee)

DNR's Wisconsin Wetland Conservation Trust pays for wetland restoration projects that generate in-lieu fee mitigation credits. Public agencies, municipalities, private landowners, consultants, nonprofits, tribes and registered entities can propose projects. Every project site must be protected by a conservation easement and stay a mitigation site in perpetuity. The Sept. 1 - Oct. 31, 2026 RFP funds only the SW Lake Michigan service area.

• Standard subprogram: open to public agencies, municipalities, private landowners, environmental consultants, nonprofit conservation organizations, Wisconsin tribes, or any entity registered with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

• The project site must be in a service area with available funding and be protected by a conservation easement or comparable legal instrument in perpetuity.

• The applicant, or its contractor, must provide qualifications and a list of wetland mitigation or restoration projects completed in the last 10 years.

The project site needs a perpetual conservation easement. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers review generally comes before a WWCT contract is signed.

Published amounts: Funding available as of September 1, 2026: SW Lake Michigan service area (HUC 040400), preferred credit generation 20, available project funds $1,600,000.

Talk to WWCT coordinator Josh Brown before applying. Submit the WI Wetland Conservation Trust Grant Application (Form 8700-363) using the form's 'Submit by email' button. Proposals are reviewed each quarter; submission deadlines are Jan. 31, Apr. 30, Jul. 31 and Oct. 31.

Deadline text on the page: The current Request for Proposal (RFP) is open on September 1, 2026, with a deadline on October 31, 2026. Applicants will be notified of their proposal status November 30, 2026.