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.
This program is funded by the state DNR and administered by the county.
The application checklist
How to apply for the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program
These are the steps this application actually takes.
- 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.
Get help applying
Want a hand with the application?
A 30-minute call with Stephen, the founder. He reads the Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program rules with you, tells you what to photograph and file first, and answers anything this page does not cover.
Confirm your project ZIP first. If this program does not serve your address, do not buy; check your city or utility on the rebates page instead.
One-time $29.99. Guidance, not filing: you submit to the program yourself. Not legal or financial advice. Rebate amounts and approval are decided by the program.
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.
What people report after they apply
We ask people who filed Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program whether it was approved, what they were paid, and how many days it took. A public payout time appears here only after 5 reports include a day count. Your dollar amount is stored and is not published on this page.