How to Get the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program
Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department · Jefferson County, Wisconsin, WI
What you get
Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department reimburses 75% of total project costs up to $1,000 for native plant gardens adjacent to water, rain gardens, runoff diversions, and rock infiltration trenches. Eligible on properties within 1,000 feet of lakes and 300 feet of rivers or streams (Jefferson County LWCD Programs and Services page; last verified July 2026).
- Residential: 75% of total costs, up to $1,000
Are you eligible?
- Be a Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department customer
- Property located in: Jefferson County
- Property within 1,000 feet of a lake or 300 feet of a river or stream in Jefferson County
- Application to the county Land and Water Conservation Department before installation
- Practice installed to Healthy Lakes and Rivers design standards
Before you start
Do not remove turf or begin work before you have written approval. This program requires pre-approval. Starting early can disqualify the project even if everything else is correct.
County-administered delivery of a state DNR-funded program. The homeowner applies to the county and the county publishes the residential rate, the same structure as the existing Oneida County WI entry and the NC CCAP county rows. Found during the 2026-07-31 discovery sweep.
What applying usually looks like
A general guide. Always confirm the exact steps on the official program page, since each provider runs its process a little differently.
- 1
Apply and get written approval first
Submit your application to Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department and wait for written approval before you remove any turf or start work. Starting early is the most common reason a rebate is denied.
- 2
Do the conversion
Replace your lawn with the qualifying landscaping, following the eligibility requirements above.
- 3
Submit your claim
After the work is done, submit your claim on the official program page. Confirm the exact forms, receipts, and any photos they require there, since those vary by program.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program
These are the steps this application actually takes. The Pollinator Patch app walks you through each one free, with reminders and a photo locker.
- 1
Check eligibility
Make sure you qualify with Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department before you start.
- 2
Get pre-approval if required
Some programs require approval before any work begins. Check with Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department and take before photos of the existing yard first.
- 3
Do the work
Complete the project, take before and after photos, and save every receipt.
- 4
Submit your application
Send Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department the completed application with your photos and receipts, then watch for the confirmation.
In the app
Track this rebate free in the Pollinator Patch app
Free step-by-step guidance for the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program, warnings before the mistakes that disqualify applications, and a photo locker that keeps your before and after photos, receipts, and notes together for the months a rebate takes.
Every program listed cites its official source, and each program page shows the date we last verified it against that source. Program details change throughout the year, so always confirm requirements, amounts, and eligibility directly with the program before starting work. Pollinator Patch is not affiliated with any rebate program and does not guarantee approval.
See a problem with a program? Report it
Programs change throughout the year. If something here is out of date or wrong, tell us and we'll check it against the provider.