Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund Supporting Habitat Projects in Wood County

Wednesday, November 12th, 2025 -- 10:01 AM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin (NRF) are pleased to announce that over $100,000 from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund will be supporting six habitat projects on public lands this year in Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Ozaukee and Wood counties.

The DNR and NRF invite hunters purchasing their licenses this fall to consider donating to the Cherish Fund, which helps fund critical conservation projects in Wisconsin each year.

Established to protect, restore and improve habitat for Wisconsin's plants and animals, the fund allows the public to invest in the public lands and waters where they recreate.

The Cherish Fund is primarily built through voluntary contributions from the public when they purchase their hunting and fishing licenses through Go Wild or directly on the NRF's Cherish Fund webpage.

"Our state's public lands are really something special. We're glad to give the public an easy way to help protect them so they can be enjoyed forever," said David Clutter, executive director at the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. "This year, funding will be used to restore habitat in some key locations for Wisconsin's biodiversity."

This year's projects represent high-priority habitat restoration work from across the state. The selected projects enhance wildlife-dependent recreation and support conservation of rare species.

"Protecting and preserving critical habitat in Wisconsin helps ensure that these locations will remain accessible to hunters, anglers and outdoor enthusiasts for generations to come," said DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. "We're proud to continue seeing the benefits of such a powerful, public-led effort to fund conservation."

The projects were selected through a grant application process and reviewed by an engaged stakeholder group, which included Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Ruffed Grouse Society, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership, Wisconsin Conservation Congress and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

The DNR and the NRF are grateful for the participation of these organizations in selecting the following Cherish projects. Wood County will receive $24,000. At Sandhill, Wood County and Meadow Valley wildlife areas, project funds will enhance habitat for Karner blue butterflies by expanding and connecting their existing habitat.

Seeding native species and controlling the encroaching woody species will improve oak barrens in Wisconsin's biologically important Central Sands region. This work will also provide better brooding habitat for upland game birds and improved hunting areas for deer and turkey hunters.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.