Daybreak Fund

We’re proud to support the Land Restoration School with $43,320 to train non-traditional participants in the art of ecological restoration! Through a hands-on, paid program, participants will restore degraded lands and develop restoration plans for their communities—addressing climate change and promoting biodiversity. With 85% of alumni now working in the field, the program opens doors for those passionate about conservation.

With $17,500 from the Daybreak Fund, Midwest Renewable Energy Association is launching a pilot project to combine solar power with managed grazing. This project will integrate solar panels with native vegetation and grazing animals, offering a model for small farms to benefit from renewable energy while promoting soil health and water quality. Together, we’re shaping a sustainable future for rural communities!

The Brothertown Indian Nation is leading the way in restoring Mayom (Wild Rice) to the Lake Winnebago watershed! Shown here reseeding by canoe, this 2-year project received $55,868 in funding from the Daybreak Fund. It combines Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and modern science to rebuild resilience in this vital cultural and ecological resource. This project is restoring 60 acres of Wild Rice, enhancing biodiversity, improving Water quality, and building a brighter future for communities and the environment.

Root Pike Watershed Initiative Network (Root-Pike WIN) has been awarded $56,465 to kickstart the transformation of Washington Park in Kenosha! This project will turn unused turf grass into native prairie plants, boosting stormwater management, supporting endangered pollinators, and reducing pollution. This is a rendering of what it might look like when the work is complete.

With our grant, Nearby Nature Milwaukee is leading the charge to bring green infrastructure and habitat restoration to the six-mile Lincoln Creek corridor! From planting 100+ trees to stabilizing streambanks, this project aims to reduce heat islands and flood risks while helping residents to become environmental stewards.

We’re excited to support Midwest Renewable Energy Association’s agrivoltaics pilot project with $17,500! This innovative study will explore the benefits of combining solar energy with managed grazing at their Custer, WI property. When successful, this project could pave the way for more solar alongside farming in rural areas, improving soil health, protecting water quality, and boosting farm profitability.

Wild Rice is a vital resource that supports aquatic life, Water quality, and Tribal traditions. With our grant, the Brothertown Indian Nation is working to restore Wild Rice in Lake Winnebago. They’re blending Traditional Ecological Knowledge with scientific research to foster resilience in the face of climate change. Community engagement is at the heart of this project – from Wild Rice planting to cultural events that honor the land.

The Land Restoration School is receiving $43,320 to train the next generation of ecological restorationists! This 10-week paid program is designed to diversify the field by creating opportunities for people who’ve been historically excluded from conservation work. Participants will gain hands-on experience restoring 50 acres of land, while learning how to tackle climate resilience, biodiversity, and water quality issues.

The Climate Change Coalition of Door County (CCCDC) is making headlines! We're thrilled to see their Boreal and Temperate Mesic Forest Climate Survivability Project featured in the Peninsula Pulse. With support from a $120,150 grant from the Daybreak Fund, CCCDC is partnering with The Ridges Sanctuary and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership to tackle climate change head-on. Over the next three years, this project will plant 3,400 trees across five experimental plots, exploring which species can thrive under changing climate conditions. By combining science with community-driven initiatives like the Big Plant, CCCDC is paving the way for smarter, more effective reforestation efforts in Door County and beyond.

The Climate Change Coalition of Door County is leading a 3-year project to determine which tree species can survive and thrive as climate conditions shift. With our grant, CCCDC is partnering with the University of Minnesota Forest Ecology Center to plant test plots across Door County and gather crucial data. This research will guide reforestation efforts not only locally but across coastal Wisconsin, ensuring that forests can store carbon and build climate resilience for decades to come.