Central Wisconsin Wind WInshed reports 10.6 miles planted, describes self‑funding model

Shannon Britton, project manager for the Central Wisconsin Wind WInshed program, told the Marquette County Land and Water Conservation Committee that the program planted about 10.6 new miles — a little over 56,000 linear feet — this year and continues to operate without ongoing grant funding.

“We planted 10.6 new miles,” Britton said, describing a program that counts a project when the black fabric and the three‑year maintenance package are installed. He said the program charges landowners based on linear feet or miles of planted windbreak where fabric and maintenance are included; that revenue supports staff, equipment and a multi‑year maintenance guarantee.

Britton said he has managed the program for roughly 23 years and that it was originally supported by a five‑year staffing grant (about $85,000) that began in 2001 and ended in 2006. After that grant lapsed the program adjusted its fee schedule and moved to a self‑funding model, he said. The program does not, he said, receive regular outside grants: “We don’t get any grants… it’s literally every project is based on how much linear feet or miles of trees that I plant every year.”

The program maintains plantings for three years — hand‑weeding, replacing dead or missing trees and mowing around fabric — after which Britton said a roughly 95% survival rate is typically achieved. He reported counting just over 1,400 trees that will need replanting next spring, which he described as the lowest three‑year replant total in his tenure after several wetter growing seasons.

Britton described a mix of customers: private landowners, county highway departments and the state Department of Transportation. He said the program often works as an independent contractor for DOT projects and collaborates with county conservation and highway offices for cost‑share funding. In counties where the program secures cost‑share dollars, he said the usual split has been about 70% public support and 30% paid by the landowner.

He also recounted two projects that affected this year’s numbers: a roughly $20,000, ~7,000‑foot Portage County project that a landowner postponed and removed from the program’s budget, and a Waseca County project where county cost‑share adjustments reduced his take (he said he received 30% instead of the originally discussed full share). Britton said reserve funds cover occasional shortfalls and that he has several projects lined up for the coming year, including a nearly five‑mile screening planting on a large private parcel.

The committee’s discussion included operational items — staffing (one long‑term crew member and seasonal interns), equipment replacement funded from reserve accounts, and early tree ordering because nursery stock sells out. Staff and members also noted the program sells trees directly through an annual tree sale (estimated 45,000–50,000 trees this season) that helps fund operations.

The committee did not take formal action on the report; Britton concluded the update by inviting questions and saying he will continue coordinating projects with county offices.