Wisconsin DNR Forest Landowner Grant: How It Helps Pay for Land Clearing

If you own a chunk of woods in Northeast Wisconsin, you’ve probably looked at the buckthorn creeping in, the overgrown trails or the old field turning to brush and thought, “I’d like to fix that, but it’s not cheap.” Here’s something a lot of landowners don’t know: the Wisconsin DNR has a program that can pay back up to half the cost of certain forestry work on your land.

It’s called the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Program, or WFLGP. This guide walks through how it works in plain terms, who qualifies, and the one mistake that can cost you the money.

What the Forest Landowner Grant actually is

The WFLGP is a cost-share program run by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It reimburses private landowners for up to 50% of the eligible cost of approved forestry practices. It’s a reimbursement, not a check up front: you get the work done, pay for it, and the DNR pays you back its share based on the completed work and your paid invoices.

The goal of the program is healthier private forests, so the practices it covers are things that improve the woods, the soil, the water or the wildlife habitat on your property.

Who qualifies

According to the DNR, you’re generally eligible if:

• You own at least 10 and no more than 500 contiguous acres of non-industrial private forest land in Wisconsin.
• You have a forest stewardship plan for the property, or you apply to have one written. (Writing the plan itself is one of the practices the grant can help pay for.)
• Your project is approved by your local DNR forester before the work starts.

If you have a small woodlot under 10 acres, this particular program isn’t a fit, but other options may be. Your county conservation office is a good place to ask.

What kind of work it can cover

The DNR sorts eligible practices into two priority levels.

Priority 1 practices

• Writing a forest stewardship plan
• Tree planting and the site preparation that comes before it
• Forest health improvements, such as dealing with invasive plants crowding out native trees
• Soil and water protection

Priority 2 practices

• Wetland and riparian (streamside) protection
• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Endangered resource management

For a lot of landowners in Manitowoc, Brown, Kewaunee and Calumet counties, the practical projects look like this: clearing buckthorn and honeysuckle out of a woodlot, preparing an old field for a red pine or hardwood planting, or opening overgrown areas to improve wildlife habitat. Forestry mulching is often a good tool for this kind of work because it grinds brush in place, leaves a mulch layer that protects the soil, and doesn’t create burn piles. Whether a specific practice qualifies is always your DNR forester’s call, so talk to them before you plan around it.

How to apply, step by step

1. Call your local DNR forester. If you don’t know who that is, use the DNR’s Forestry Assistance Locator online or call the DNR at 1-888-936-7463. They’ll talk through your goals and whether the grant fits.
2. Get a stewardship plan in place. If you don’t have one, the forester can point you to a consulting forester who writes them.
3. Get a quote for the work. Your forester will want to know what the project involves and roughly what it will cost.
4. Fill out the application. It’s the Wisconsin Forest Landowner Grant Application (Form 2400-126). Send it with a W-9 form to your local DNR forester for approval.
5. Wait for your award letter. This step matters more than any other (see below).
6. Do the work, pay the bill, and submit for reimbursement. Keep your paid invoices. The DNR pays its share based on what was actually completed.

The one mistake that costs people the money

Don’t start the work before you have your award letter. Work done before the award is not reimbursed. It’s tempting to get going, especially when the ground conditions are right, but if the mulcher is in the woods before the letter is in your hand, you’ll likely be paying the full cost yourself.

A good contractor will understand this and work around your timeline. Get your quote early, get the paperwork moving, and schedule the work for after approval.

When are grants awarded?

The DNR accepts applications at any time, and funding is handed out on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards can be made on August 1, November 1, February 1 and May 1, depending on how much money is available. In other words, the sooner your application is in, the better your odds.

Timing also lines up well with the seasons here. If you apply this fall, you could be approved in time for winter work, when frozen ground lets a machine work in soft or wet areas without rutting. Just remember that in our area you shouldn’t cut or wound oak trees from April 1 to July 15, because of oak wilt. Plan any work near oaks outside that window.

Frequently asked questions

Does the grant pay the contractor directly?

No. You pay for the work, and the DNR reimburses you for its share based on your paid invoices and the completed practice.

Can I use it on land that’s mostly field, not woods?

The program is for forest land, but tree planting and site prep are eligible practices. If you want to turn an open or overgrown field into forest, ask your DNR forester whether your project fits.

How much can I get?

Up to 50% of the eligible cost of approved practices. The exact amount depends on your project and what the DNR approves.

I have 8 acres of woods. Am I out of luck?

For this program, the minimum is 10 contiguous acres. Your county land conservation department may know about other local programs that fit smaller properties.

Do I need a stewardship plan first?

You need one in place, or you need to apply to have one developed. Your DNR forester can explain the options.

Ready to plan your project?

J. Schleis Services is a locally owned forestry mulching and land clearing business based in Manitowoc, serving Manitowoc, Brown, Kewaunee, Calumet, Sheboygan, Door and Outagamie counties. We’re insured and owner-operated, most jobs start within 1-2 weeks, and our work comes with a 2-year workmanship warranty. If you’re working with your DNR forester on a grant, we’re happy to walk your property, give you a quote for your application, and schedule the work after your award letter comes in.

Call or text (920) 362-1569, or reach us through our contact page.

Program details are from the Wisconsin DNR’s Forest Landowner Grant Program page. Program rules and funding can change, so always confirm with your DNR forester before you start.