Opportunity Information: Apply for F16AS00393
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) - Chiwaukee Prairie Land Acquisition opportunity is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designed to address major environmental challenges in the Great Lakes ecosystem through targeted, on-the-ground action. In this case, the action is very specific: the grant funds the fee title acquisition of a parcel of land from a willing seller within the Chiwaukee Prairie Preserve area in southeastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin. The underlying idea is straightforward: securing ownership of strategically located land is a practical way to prevent incompatible development, protect habitat, and safeguard the water conditions that sensitive coastal wetlands depend on.
This opportunity centers on Chiwaukee Prairie because it is widely recognized as one of the Upper Midwest's highest-value coastal wetland complexes. The preserve is designated as a National Natural Landmark and has also been recognized as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, reflecting its ecological significance at both national and global levels. The site is known for its distinctive ridge-and-swale landscape, a glacial legacy formed as Lake Michigan's levels receded. That topography supports a rare mix of habitats, including tallgrass prairie and groundwater-dependent fen communities, and it contains one of Wisconsin's largest and most diverse examples of wet-mesic prairie. Immediately adjacent areas, including high-quality wetlands in the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area to the east, include globally rare lake plain wet-mesic prairie that depends on intact hydrology coming from the west.
The tract targeted for acquisition does not include Lake Michigan frontage, and portions of its wetland hydrology have been significantly altered over time by ditching and drainage for agriculture, along with impacts from invasive species. Even so, the parcel matters because it historically formed part of the same ridge-and-swale system that makes Chiwaukee Prairie unique, and it sits in what is described as the "bluff" area of the broader preserve landscape. This location is important for water protection: groundwater modeling by the U.S. Geological Survey (prepared for the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission) suggests that if development were allowed to extend up to and along the bluff, groundwater levels in sensitive fen areas could drop by more than two feet. A decline of that magnitude could severely degrade or even eliminate the fens and the rare species they support. By acquiring land in this bluff zone, the project aims to prevent future commercial or residential development from changing the preserve's water regime and to establish a protective buffer for nearby State Natural Area lands with significant rare-species populations.
Administratively, the opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.662, which lists the authorizing statutes for GLRI awards. The funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is natural resources, and the eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education). The funding opportunity number is F16AS00393, with an original closing date of 2016-08-12. The agency anticipated making one award, with an award ceiling of $315,000, reflecting the narrow, acquisition-focused scope of the project.Apply for F16AS00393
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Great Lakes Restoration Initiative â¿¿ Chiwaukee Prairie Land Acquisition" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.662.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2016-08-08.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2016-08-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $315,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
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Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) - Chiwaukee Prairie Land Acquisition: FAQs
What is this grant opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI). It is designed to support targeted, on-the-ground action to address environmental challenges in the Great Lakes ecosystem. For this specific opportunity, the funded action is the fee title acquisition of a land parcel from a willing seller within the Chiwaukee Prairie Preserve area in southeastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
What is the primary purpose of the funded project?
The purpose is to secure ownership of strategically located land to prevent incompatible development, protect habitat, and safeguard the water conditions that sensitive coastal wetlands (including fen communities) depend on.
What specific activity will the grant fund?
The grant funds the fee title acquisition (outright purchase/ownership) of a parcel of land from a willing seller within the Chiwaukee Prairie Preserve area.
Where is the project located?
The project is located within the Chiwaukee Prairie Preserve area in southeastern Kenosha County, Wisconsin.
Is the targeted parcel on the Lake Michigan shoreline?
No. The targeted tract does not include Lake Michigan frontage.
Why is Chiwaukee Prairie considered important?
Chiwaukee Prairie is described as one of the Upper Midwest's highest-value coastal wetland complexes. It is designated as a National Natural Landmark and has been recognized as a RAMSAR Wetland of International Importance, reflecting ecological significance at national and global levels.
What kinds of habitats make Chiwaukee Prairie unique?
The preserve contains a distinctive ridge-and-swale landscape formed as Lake Michigan's levels receded. This topography supports a rare mix of habitats, including tallgrass prairie, groundwater-dependent fen communities, and one of Wisconsin's largest and most diverse examples of wet-mesic prairie.
What is the ridge-and-swale system, and why does it matter here?
The ridge-and-swale system is a glacial landform pattern created as lake levels changed over time, producing alternating higher ridges and lower wet swales. At Chiwaukee Prairie, this pattern underpins the hydrology and habitat diversity that support rare wetland and prairie communities.
Why does this particular parcel matter if it has been altered?
Even though portions of the tract's wetland hydrology have been significantly altered by ditching and drainage for agriculture and impacted by invasive species, the parcel is still considered important because it historically formed part of the same ridge-and-swale system and is located in the "bluff" area of the broader preserve landscape.
What threats is the land acquisition meant to prevent?
The acquisition is intended to prevent future commercial or residential development in the bluff zone that could change groundwater conditions and negatively affect sensitive fen areas and other nearby habitats.
How could development affect the preserve's wetlands and fens?
Groundwater modeling by the U.S. Geological Survey (prepared for the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission) suggests that if development were allowed to extend up to and along the bluff, groundwater levels in sensitive fen areas could drop by more than two feet. Such a decline could severely degrade or even eliminate the fens and the rare species they support.
What is the role of the "bluff" area in protecting water conditions?
The bluff zone is presented as a key area for protecting the preserve's water regime. Acquiring land there is intended to help maintain groundwater conditions needed for groundwater-dependent wetlands, including fens.
How does this project relate to nearby protected lands?
The acquisition is intended to establish a protective buffer for nearby State Natural Area lands, including high-quality wetlands in the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area to the east that include globally rare lake plain wet-mesic prairie dependent on intact hydrology from the west.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?
It is a discretionary grant.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is natural resources.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are universities eligible to apply if they are nonprofits?
No. The eligibility statement specifically excludes institutions of higher education.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is tied to CFDA number 15.662, which lists the authorizing statutes for GLRI awards.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is F16AS00393.
How many awards were anticipated?
The agency anticipated making one award.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $315,000.
Why is the award scope described as narrow?
The opportunity is described as narrow because it is acquisition-focused and targets a specific parcel within a defined area, rather than funding a broad set of activities across multiple sites.
What was the original closing date for applications?
The original closing date was 2016-08-12.
Does the opportunity require a willing seller?
Yes. The grant funds acquisition from a willing seller.
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