Friends of Wisconsin State Parks

Together WE Thrive

Admin / September 15, 2023

Arrival time: 10:30 am
Breakout groups for Friends: 11:00 -12:15
Lunch and awards: 12:15 -1:30 pm
General session: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Event concludes: 3:00 pm

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Board of Directors and Executive Director are most pleased to announce a Friends Gathering for Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton. Together WE Thrive aims to bring local Friends Group members together to share resources, information, best practices, and successes and to recognize people who have contributed so much over the years to support the Wisconsin State Park system. The day will open at 10:30 a.m. with arrival and check-in. Then we will have everyone invited to join a breakout session beginning at 11:00. The workshop session is designed to share ideas on things such as fundraising, Friends/volunteer recruitment and retention, working with our legislators to support the park system, and communications/social media. Each breakout group will report their findings and recommendations back to the full group so that all of the knowledge and ideas can be shared with everyone! We will have a lunch break and the FWSP annual awards presentation, as well as time set aside for the WI State Parks and Recreation Bureau to speak to the group. The day will conclude at 3:00 p.m. Please watch for the online registration for this event to be available on the FWSP website (FWSP.org) beginning on Sept. 18, 2023. Registration for this event will close on Oct. 20, 2023. The cost to attend is $25 per person. We are excited to bring people together to network, learn, and get new ideas!

Click here to register for the event

Arrival time: 10:30 am
Breakout groups for Friends: 11:00 -12:15
Lunch and awards: 12:15 -1:30 pm
General session: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Event concludes: 3:00 pm

Click here to register for the event

Explore your Wisconsin State Parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas in a new way. Each season will highlight activities you can participate in and opportunities to win prizes. Share the adventure with a selfie OR snapshot of having fun in Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails, or recreation areas! With many activities to choose from, this year-round activity will be fun for the entire family!
Over 100 new fun ways to explore Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

Join in the fun - Click here for more information

The FWSP Challenge!

by Admin on September 05, 2023

Explore your Wisconsin State Parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas in a new way. Each season will highlight activities you can partic...

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) has shown their commitment to promoting outdoor recreation and access to state parks with a recent donation of $10,000 to a new program that allows residents to check out a state park at their local Wisconsin library.

Starting this spring, over 75 libraries across the state will participate in the program, offering visitors the chance to experience Wisconsin's natural beauty and state parks. The program works by allowing library patrons to check out a day-use pass for a state park, just like they would a book.

According to FWSP Executive Director, Patricia Loosen, "We are thrilled to support this innovative program that makes it easier for families and individuals to enjoy our beautiful state parks. By bringing the parks to local libraries, we hope to inspire more people to get outside, connect with nature, and explore the beauty of Wisconsin."

The new program is a collaboration between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Library Association, and local libraries. The FWSP's generous donation will go toward purchasing the necessary equipment and materials, such as park passes and informational brochures, to make the program a success.

This is just the latest effort by the FWSP to support and enhance the Wisconsin state park system. The organization's mission is to promote and preserve state parks and to ensure they remain accessible and affordable for future generations.

So mark your calendars, Wisconsin residents! Get ready to check out a state park at your local library and experience all that Wisconsin has to offer.

FWSP Boosts Access to State Parks with $10,000 Library Program Donation

by Admin on September 04, 2023

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) has shown their commitment to promoting outdoor recreation and access to state parks with a rece...

Since its inception in 1996, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks has worked with state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas Friends Groups to improve state lands experience for the millions of people who visit each year and to ensure that millions more will be able to enjoy Wisconsin’s natural beauty in the future.

Your Individual or Family membership continues to help:

the FWSP work to protect and enhance the natural qualities, biodiversity, and ecological integrity of our state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas (the state park system) for future generations
the FWSP serves as an umbrella organization, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) and local member Friends groups.
the FWSP establish a central information base for local member Friends groups to exchange, share, and improve activities and provide training
the FWSP establish endowments and/or other funds, utilizing individual, nonprofit, and corporate memberships/donations, with separate control from state park budgets to support and provide grants for local member Friends groups and state park enhancement projects
the FWSP improve existing public education/interpretive programs and coordinate their distribution to all state parks.
the FWSP increase public awareness of the variety of Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas and support provided by local member Friends groups
the FWSP actively encourages public participation/membership in state and local member Friends groups, emphasizing the accomplishments and support provided by these groups and the advantages/benefits of a state friends group and supporting, and coordinating local efforts to ensure the future of our state park.

Individual or Family Memberships

Pay Online (Preferred)

Download, print, fill out, and mail the a membership form

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Individual/Family and Group Membership

by Admin on September 03, 2023

Since its inception in 1996, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks has worked with state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas Friends...

FWSP depends on the generosity of donors for the funds required to carry out its mission of preserving, protecting, promoting, and enhancing Wisconsin State Parks, Trails, Forests, and Recreation Areas.

In 2023 FWSP funded $83,000 in project requests and the local Friends groups added over $141,000 for a total of $224,000 in state park system improvements and Naturalist program funding.

In addition, in 2022, The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks purchased two accessible kayaks for over $6600 and ten bike repair stations for $20,000. YOUR DONATIONS COUNT!

Make a monetary donation via PayPal

Monetary Donation - Download PDF (Print, fill out, and mail form)

Memorial Donation

Support an FWSP program

Stock Donations

Corporate Sponsor

ln collaboration with over 80 local Friend's chapters, we seek to enrich the park experience for the millions of people who visit each year and to ensure that millions more will be able to enjoy Wisconsin's natural treasures in the future.

Join a local friend's group

We also educate lawmakers and citizens on issues that impact their parks. And each year, we support local Friends groups by providing funds for education-related activities such as hiring park naturalists, developing interpretive exhibits, hosting wildlife demonstrations and outdoor skill training sessions, and improving key infrastructure in our parks.
We are continually seeking to grow our capacity to positively impact Wisconsin parks. If you or your business would be interested in partnering with FWSP, please contact us.

Patricia Loosen

Executive Director Friends of Wisconsin State Parks

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks

23 S. Main St. Suite O

Hartford, WI 53027

patricia.loosen@fwsp.org

608-264-8994

Support Your Parks

by Admin on September 03, 2023

FWSP depends on the generosity of donors for the funds required to carry out its mission of preserving, protecting, promoting, and enhancing...

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks are passionate about Wisconsin’s State Parks, Trails, Forests, and Recreation Areas. It's not only about today but to have the vision to be effective stewards of our public lands so future generations will be able to enjoy these outdoor resources. The mission of the FWSP is to preserve, promote, protect and enhance the Wisconsin State Park System. The board members, all volunteers, serve on various committees such as policy, outreach, membership, fundraising, and finance. At times, the responsibilities seem overwhelming, however, the benefits of being able to “make a difference” on statewide issues are extremely rewarding. The FWSP supports the work of 87 local Friends Groups around the state and the work they do at their respective recreation properties.

Just by being involved, you’re sure to learn more about Wisconsin state parks, all of the friends' groups that are represented by the FWSP, interact with DNR officials and community members, and much more.
You can make a difference by being a part of a greater mission and enjoy these benefits:

The personal satisfaction that comes with giving of time and talent to further the mission of The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
Community Enrichment
Volunteer expertise and experience
Personal growth and satisfaction
Opportunities to meet new people
Resumé potential

Board members bring a vast array of skills and experiences to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks. Having board members with diverse backgrounds professionally and geographically is the strength of the organization.. Key qualities of board members are: Possessing a Passion - deep interest in the mission of the FWSP; Vision and Leadership - the ability to see the big picture and the courage to set direction to achieve the organization’s mission; Stewardship - the integrity to serve the interests of the organization as well as the citizens of the State of Wisconsin. A successful board is where the team acts and works as one.

“Test Drive” a board position by attending a couple of quarterly meetings. Currently, these meetings are conducted via teleconferencing. This will allow you to become familiar with current board members and the organization’s operating procedures along with current projects and challenges. The FWSP would like you to consider becoming part of the team, an opportunity awaits you.

WE WANT YOU

Click here to express your interest

Join the FWSP Team

by Admin on September 02, 2023

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks are passionate about Wisconsin’s State Parks, Trails, Forests, and Recreation Areas. It's not only ...

The Friends of Wisconsin State Park's mission is:

Preserving, Promoting, Protecting, and Enhancing Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

Wisconsin’s parks system boasts 50 state parks and 39 state trails, plus additional properties such as eight southern forests, that provide recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, swimming, and cycling. Friends of Wisconsin State Parks supports the work of 89 local Friends chapters around the state representing over 3750 individual members and the work that they do at the park, forest, trail, or recreation areas that they are associated with.

Our organization is made up of volunteers and people like you who have a love of our state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas and a desire to support their recreational, environmental, and economic value. Members of our organization promote the mission of the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks to preserve and protect our parks’ natural resources and to provide recreational opportunities for all.

The FWSP and the local groups encompass 2,064 volunteers who have volunteered over 21,348 hours in 2021, to work on projects and events at the state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas around the state that enhance the property and provide enjoyment for the many visitors each year. Our friends work to protect our natural resources and preserve Wisconsin's unique natural treasures for future generations.

In addition, FWSP carries out its mission through these examples:

Preserve
FWSP sponsors the annual Work*Play*Earth Day projects around the state in April each year — volunteers and Friends members complete projects and clean up at state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

Protect
FWSP advocates on state park system issues in an effort to protect Wisconsin’s beautiful state park, forest, trail, and recreation area properties. FWSP also hosts Friends Summit meetings around the state so that local Friends chapters are informed and supported in their local area.

Promote
FWSP funds projects and issues grants to local Friends chapters for educational programs and interpretive projects around the state at parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas for visitors to enjoy. FWSP hosts an annual Photo contest to promote recreation at state park system properties.

Enhance
FWSP funds Tree and Flower projects at park offices and high-visibility areas for the enjoyment of park visitors around the state. Friends chapters also use grant funding for projects that enhance parks, forests, and trails.