Early Detection & Response
Early Detection & Response supports organizations and landholders with education, prevention, monitoring, and planning to address newly introduced aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates: Rolling (Applications accepted year-round)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per project, covering up to 75% of total project costs; maximum term four years
Summary: Supports education, pathway prevention, population monitoring, and early planning for prohibited or pioneering restricted aquatic invasive species in Wisconsin.
Key Information: Projects must be developed and conducted in coordination with DNR, without an existing management plan guiding the work.
Description
Early Detection & Response is part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Surface Water Grant Program. It helps eligible applicants begin planning and management when aquatic invasive species are newly introduced, without waiting for the annual grant cycle. Projects focus on education, pathway prevention, population monitoring, and early planning for species classified as prohibited under Wisconsin Administrative Code chapter NR 40, or pioneering populations of restricted species.
The program supports early-stage work conducted without the guidance of a management plan. Control actions may also be appropriate when they are likely to remove a population or limit it to a small size, but must be developed with and approved by DNR. The department determines whether restricted-species populations qualify as pioneering and may specify control measures, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
