FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:?Oct. 4, 2022
Contact:?Cheryl Housley, DNR Regional Grant Project Manager
[email protected] or 608-516-9560

Groundswell Conservancy Seeks Grant
For Acquisition Of Land

Grant Requested For Stewardship Project In Town Of Dunkirk

?

DUNKIRK, Wis.?? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that Groundswell Conservancy has applied for a 50% matching grant from the Urban Green Space subprogram of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

The grant will assist with the purchase of 1.64 acres of land in the town of Dunkirk in Dane County. Groundswell Conservancy will provide the matching funds to the grant award.

Groundswell Conservancy plans to acquire the approximately 1.64 acres, then donate it to the town of Dunkirk to expand Lyons Park along the Yahara River. Along with the Dunkirk Dam Lake District, the town plans to develop a public access point on the river with an accessible canoe and kayak launch.

The property includes approximately 390 feet of frontage on the east bank of Yahara River?and offers opportunities for fishing, trapping, hiking, cross-country skiing?and picnicking.?The DNR has determined that prohibiting gun hunting is necessary to protect public safety because of the parcel's proximity to residential dwellings.

The DNR's initial assessment of the allowed Nature Based Outdoor Activities for the project is available to the public on the Stewardship Public Notice webpage or via email from Cheryl Housley at [email protected].?

The public is encouraged to submit written comments on the proposed acquisition by Oct. 24, 2022 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Cheryl Housley, DNR Regional Grant Project Manager
3911 Fish Hatchery Rd
Fitchburg, WI 53711
[email protected] or 608-516-9560

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund was created in 1989 to preserve important natural resources, protect water quality and fisheries and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation for all Wisconsinites to enjoy. On Stewardship-purchased land, nature-based outdoor activities such as hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking or cross-country skiing cannot be prohibited unless the DNR has determined that prohibiting one or more of those activities is justified to protect public safety.

In accordance with s. NR 52.04 (2) (b), Wis. Adm. Code, objections about the hunting activities on this property must show the proposed prohibition to be inconsistent with s. 23.0916 (2) (b), Stats., and s. NR 52.05, Wis. Adm. Code.

To learn more about the program, visit the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant webpage. To receive Stewardship Grant project news releases and updates,?sign up for the DNR stewardship news email updates here.?