The mission of the funder, established by the voters of Sheboygan County, is to develop recreation opportunities and help conserve the county's natural resources through a County Stewardship Fund.
The Sheboygan County Stewardship Fund aims to support a variety of conservation and recreational projects including project development, land acquisition, purchase of development rights, and restoration. Eligible applicants include governmental entities and nonprofit groups within Sheboygan County. The fund’s goals include fostering environmental stewardship, supporting projects that maintain and enhance the county's natural resources and recreational amenities, matching funds for leveraging additional conservation funding, and ensuring that preservation efforts harmonize with local economic and developmental goals. Priority is given to projects that align with the Sheboygan County Outdoor Recreation & Open Space Plan and other relevant plans, and to municipalities with Smart Growth-compliant comprehensive plans.
Projects That Will Not Qualify for Funding:
Any project that has already been completed before the application was submitted will not be eligible for funding. The only exception applies to certain real estate expenditures required for acquisition, such as appraisals, surveys, title insurance, and assessments related to history, culture, or the environment.
The purchase of playground equipment is not eligible for funding.
Reimbursements for wages will not be covered by funding.
The removal of invasive species must be integrated into a broader restoration project. Stand-alone projects focused solely on the removal of invasive species are not eligible for funding.
Routine maintenance activities, including tree clearing, stump grinding, and brush cutting, must also be part of a larger restoration initiative to qualify for funding. Projects limited to such maintenance tasks will not be considered eligible.