LWCF Funded Units in Wisconsin

Federal Program
Apostle Islands NL
Chequamegon-Nicolet NF
Fairfield Marsh WPA
Ice Age NST
Iron River Fish Hatchery
Lower St Croix NSR
North Country NST
St Croix NSR
Whittlesey Creek NWR
Wolf WSR
*Upper Mississippi River NWR
Approximate Federal Total	$98,000,000
State Program
Approximate Total Stateside Grants	$73,000,000
Approximate Total Federal and State	$171,000,000
*Multi-state project

LWCF Success in Wisconsin

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Wisconsin’s most treasured places. Wisconsin has received approximately $171 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Lower St. Croix National Scenic River.

Ice Age National Scenic Trail

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a dynamic public/private partnership among the National Park Service, the State of Wisconsin, local governments, and the nonprofit Ice Age Trail Alliance. During the past decade more than $12 million of Land & Water Conservation Fund money has been matched by $22 million of Wisconsin Stewardship Fund and local money to preserve 57 additional miles of the Ice Age Trail. This partnership is prepared to continue this important conservation work in America’s heartland if LWCF money continues to be provided by Congress.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Wisconsin economy. The Outdoor Industry Association has found that active outdoor recreation contributes over $9.7 billion to Wisconsin’s economy, supports 129,000 jobs across the state, generates $570 million in annual state tax revenue and produces $7.5 billion annually in retail sales and services across Wisconsin - accounting for nearly 4 percent of gross state product. The U.S. Census reports that over 2.9 million people hunt, fish or watch wildlife in Wisconsin each year, spending over $3.9 billion on wildlife-related recreation.

Download "The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report for Wisconsin"