Landowner Incentive Program
Forecasted
Landowner Incentive Program supports landowners and conservation groups restoring habitat on private land in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area to benefit at-risk species and connect complementary habitats.
Funder: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Fall pre-proposal) | April 2027 (Spring pre-proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000; most projects receive $3,000–$8,000 and run for one year
Summary: Supports habitat restoration for at-risk species on privately owned land in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area.
Key Information: Funded landowners must sign a recorded agreement maintaining the project area for 10 years.
Description
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) helps landowners create and manage habitat for rare or declining plants and animals in the Driftless Area. It offers technical assistance with identifying habitats and species, setting management priorities, developing plans, and finding other sources of assistance.
LIP funding supports active habitat restoration and enhancement, particularly of fire-dependent prairie, oak savanna, barrens, and oak woodland. Projects should benefit at-risk species, especially Species of Greatest Conservation Need, and provide connectivity to similar or complementary habitats. Work may include prescribed burns, native planting, and invasive or woody species removal; research and monitoring are not fundable project activities.
