The Environmental Reserve Fund, administered by the Douglas County Land Conservation Committee (LCC), provides small-scale funding for environmental initiatives undertaken by local entities in Douglas County, Wisconsin. The fund was created following a 2006 agreement between Douglas County and the American Transmission Company (ATC) to mitigate environmental impacts caused by the Arrowhead-Weston Transmission Line. Funding originates from a combination of ATC’s donation and additional sources, with accrued interest reinvested to maintain the fund’s sustainability.
Designed to support environmental projects with demonstrable public benefits, the fund emphasizes initiatives that align with county-adopted conservation goals. These include protecting surface and groundwater, enhancing natural habitats, reducing chemical use in invasive species management, promoting environmental education, recycling efforts, ecological restoration, alternative energy, and conservation practices. Proposals must include multiple funding partners unless deemed an emergency, and the projects must be completed within the calendar year following the award, though exceptions may be granted by the LCC.
The application process involves submitting a completed Project Request Form to the County Conservationist. Applications are due by October 1 annually for consideration during the November LCC meeting. However, urgent proposals may be submitted year-round for consideration at the next LCC meeting, provided they are received at least two weeks in advance. Selected applicants must sign a contract, and fund disbursement occurs per the LCC’s ranking process.
Applicants are encouraged to present their proposals at committee meetings, and awarded recipients are required to provide final project and expenditure reports. If a project exceeds $10,000 or reduces the fund corpus below $300,000, approval from the Administration Committee and County Board is required. Projects consistent with the county’s environmental priorities are more likely to receive funding.
The fund does not provide full project financing; instead, it supports leveraging other sources. Projects must exhibit community value and must meet strict criteria to ensure public environmental benefit. For further details or to apply, applicants can contact Elijah Hoffman, County Conservationist, at elijah.hoffman@douglascountywi.gov or 715-395-1266.
Emphasize projects with co-funding and alignment with county environmental priorities.
