The Sheboygan County Planning & Conservation Department is accepting applications for the Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund Grant. The purpose of the fund is to create and enhance recreational opportunities, and also to conserve valuable natural resources.

Projects must fit into one of three categories: project development, land acquisition, or discretionary, which are considered for applicability on a case-by-case basis. Stewardship Grant funds cannot exceed 50 percent of the total project or acquisition cost.

Eligible Projects:

Land acquisition – examples include the following (this list is not all-inclusive):

o Easement acquisition (such as conservation easements)

o Property acquisition of sensitive or significant lands

o Fee title acquisition of lands for future recreational purposes or to restrict development

o Purchase of development rights (PDR) (before beginning Narrative (Attachment D) for a PDR project, please remember to always contact the Planning & Conservation Department first)

Project development – examples include the following (this list is not all-inclusive):

o Park or trail development or restoration (playground equipment is NOT an eligible expense)

o Creation or restoration of public access to significant water resources

o Vegetative buffers along surface water resources

o Fish and wildlife habitat restoration

o Forest, prairie, and flora restoration

o Wetland restoration

o Lake Michigan bluff protection

Discretionary – these projects will be considered on a case-by-case basis where the project has significant merit to promote the goals of the Stewardship program 

Eligible Applicants:

* Towns, villages, or cities in Sheboygan County

* Non-profit organizations as reported in federal form 501(c)(3)

* Other government units (such as school districts)

Interested non-profits or municipalities are encouraged to contact the Department prior to applying.

Grant award amounts are not to exceed 50% of the total acquisition or project development costs (or both). The applicant is responsible for obtaining funding matches, sources of which might include state or federal grants, contributions from the municipality in which the project lays, or private donations.