GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Green Bay has launched an expansion of its Conservation Corps with a new Roving Crew Program, designed to partner with organizations throughout northeast Wisconsin on habitat restoration as well as conservation.
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The crew offers professional conservation services to eligible partners within a 60-mile radius of the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
This initiative strives to enable habitat restoration and work on the ecological and watershed level, beyond traditional boundaries, to make a more lasting environmental impact.
“The goal of this expansion is to complete habitat restoration on an ecological/watershed level instead of being bound by property lines,” Conservation Corps Coordinator Maria Otto said. “This is also a critical funding stream due to reduced grant funding and will help offset the burden on the city’s budget.”
Each Green Bay Conservation Corps crew consists of five crew members as well as an assigned City staff member. The program sets out to reach a minimum of 10 weeks of contracted work in 2026.
Eligible project types would include:
- Habitat Restoration
- Trail Maintenance
- Native planting and reforestation
- Forest thinning and fuel reduction
- Removal and treatment of invasive species
The Conservation Corps may provide:
- Basic herbicides, hand tools, and brush saws
- Crew transportation, vehicle, and gasoline
- Liability and workers’ compensation coverage
- Professional technical expertise
Partner organizations must provide:
- Project supplies
- Technical oversight and support
- Project guidance with a minimum of two visits per week
- Proper project permitting
- Funding to cover crew costs
The cost-shares for the program can range from $6,000 to $7,500 per week of fieldwork, which shall include pre-project staff site visits, crew time and services, vehicle and trailer, equipment and tools, insurance, and administrative support.
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Any organizations interested in partnering with the Green Bay Conservation Corps Roving Crew can access program information and request project proposal forms through the city’s website. Application processes require detailed project information, funding verification, as well as permit compliance.
Click here for information on the Green Bay Conservation Corps Roving Crew Program.
