New FWSP

2019 FWSP Awards

Admin / October 01, 2019

Welcome to the online registration for Celebrating 30 Years of Friends Groups & 2019 FWSP Awards.

Space is limited to the first 100 guests

All FWSP members, Friends group members, State Park, and Trail visitors, and Park System staff are invited.

Please complete a form for EACH guest attending the celebration before October 28, 2019.
After the online payment has been processed, you will receive two(2) emails. Please bring printed copies of each email with you to the celebration.

WHEN: Saturday - November 9, 2019, 3:00pm - 6:30pm

WHERE: Mosinee Brewing Company (Map Link)
401 Fourth Street, Mosinee, WI 54455

Schedule:

3:00 - 4:30pm | Open House, Beer Tasting, Networking & Friends Displays
4:30 - 6:30pm | Light Meal, Social Time & 2019 Awards Presentation

Cost: $20/ person. Includes a light meal and 2 beer tasting tickets.

Registration Deadline is October 28, 2019, or until the limit has been reached.

Questions: Call (608) 294-0810

Click here to register

Welcome to the online registration for Celebrating 30 Years of Friends Groups & 2019 FWSP Awards.

Space is limited to the first 100 guests

All FWSP members, Friends group members, State Park, and Trail visitors, and Park System staff are invited.

WHEN: Saturday - November 9, 2019, 3:00pm - 6:30pm

WHERE: Mosinee Brewing Company (Map Link)
401 Fourth Street, Mosinee, WI 54455

Schedule:

3:00 - 4:30pm | Open House, Beer Tasting, Networking & Friends Displays
4:30 - 6:30pm | Light Meal, Social Time & 2019 Awards Presentation

Cost: $20/ person. Includes a light meal and 2 beer tasting tickets.

Registration Deadline is October 28, 2019, or until the limit has been reached.

Questions: Call (608) 294-0810

Click here to register

The 2019 Close-out report is due Nov 1, 2019.

In March 2019, The Friends of Wisconsin State Park offered two grants to our Friends Groups.
They were:

2019 Incentive Grant Friends groups were invited to apply for up to $1,000 for the 2019 Incentive Grant, with an equal amount in Friends match. This grant could be used for things such as Naturalist programs, exhibits, interpretive signage, or for naturalist time at the park system property during the spring, summer, and fall of 2019.

Click on this link for the Incentive Grant closeout report form.

2019 New User Grant: Friends groups were also invited to apply for a limited number of 2019 New User Grants. Up to $1,000 was awarded for projects that were designed to bring new users to your state park system property, above and beyond any programs that might already be in place. Friends groups were expected to match any funds received under the New User Grant as well.

Click on this link for the New User Grant closeout report form.

Grant Closeout Report

by Admin on September 07, 2019

The 2019 Close-out report is due Nov 1, 2019 . In March 2019, The Friends of Wisconsin State Park offered two grants to our Friends...

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks(FWSP) fundraising campaign will seek to increase the support that FWSP can provide in order to preserve, promote, protect and enhance Wisconsin’s beautiful state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.
Friends of Wisconsin State Parks have been providing project grants to local park property Friends groups for 10 years, in order to provide a better experience for state park and trail visitors around the state.
FWSP is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization and we have set out to broaden what we do and increase our impact around the state.
The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks fund educational programs throughout the park season, provide funding for workshops, the planting of trees and flowers at parks and trails, and projects that will enhance the Wisconsin state park and trail experience for visitors and campers to enjoy: campground fire rings, playgrounds, and building improvements. FWSP is looking forward to expanding programs that bring children to state parks and trails to learn and experience nature.
The organization’s mission and values have defined FWSP for two decades, and the tax-deductible donations of the public and state park visitors and supporters of this fundraising effort will help ensure that FWSP will continue to meet its challenges and commitments in order to keep state parks vibrant and to allow for park and trail users enjoyment.
The FWSP fundraising campaign will sustain our commitment to outdoor education and nature program excellence and will advance our position as a steward of funds to enhance, educate and promote the beautiful Wisconsin state park properties.
This campaign is about supporting the Wisconsin state parks that we love and for the people who come to the Wisconsin state parks, the experiences that they have here and the memories that they leave with.” (Read More...)

FWSP Fundraising Campaign

by Admin on September 07, 2019

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks(FWSP) fundraising campaign will seek to increase the support that FWSP can provide in or...

November 15: Application Deadline for State Property Friends Groups Grant Program

Through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship State Property Development Grant program, the DNR partners with friends groups and nonprofit conservation organizations to develop recreational facilities and restore habitat on state properties. Application information and program staff contacts for 2019 can be found at the following web link:

http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/stewardship/grants/applyFriends.html

Friends grant applications are due November 15, 2019. The DNR Property Manager must approve proposed grant projects before the application is submitted to the DNR. Applicants should contact the DNR Property Manager as early as possible when preparing a grant application. It is highly recommended that applications are submitted to property managers by October 15 to allow time for program approvals.

Please contact your DNR Property Manager or the Friends Grant Manager with any questions.

Thank you!

Knowles-Nelson Stewardship State Property Development Grant program

by Admin on September 06, 2019

November 15: Application Deadline for State Property Friends Groups Grant Program Through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship State Proper...

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks mission is:
Preserving, Promoting, Protecting, and Enhancing Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. (Click to view video)

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks supports the work of 87 local Friends chapters around the state and the work that they do at the park, forest, trail or recreation area that they are associated with. 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.

About FWSP

by Admin on August 26, 2019

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks mission is: Preserving, Promoting, Protecting, and Enhancing Wisconsin state parks, forests, t...

Since its inception in 1996, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks has worked with state park, forest, trail and recreation area 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.

Click the map to enlarge. (Courtesy of WI DNR)

Believing that each generation is responsible for leaving behind a better legacy of conservation, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks was created to preserve, protect, promote and enhance Wisconsin’s state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.
Friends of Wisconsin State Parks is a non-profit umbrella organization supporting over 80+ friends groups around the state. FWSP provides technical support, sponsors events such as Work*Play*Earth Day, an annual Volunteer Jamboree, photography contest, and Gold Seal and HERO awards. It also provides grant opportunities for the state parks.

Every year friends groups provide thousands of volunteer hours to help support the mission and activities of more than 70 Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. Friends members: serve as campground hosts, visitor center hosts, naturalists and nature center hosts, adopt a trail volunteers, and assist with other special projects at the property;
raise money to purchase playground equipment, interpretive displays, signs, shelters, kiosks, educational materials, and more;
organize annual park cleanups and regular trail work days;
plan and help with special events including Candlelight nights, Community campfires, festivals/concerts, educational programs, and other special events;
provide and assist with concessions; and assist with the construction of trails, shelters and accessible cabins, birdhouses, and more.

Other Links:

Read our Strategic Plan

The Friends of FWSP

by Admin on August 25, 2019

Since its inception in 1996, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks has worked with state park, forest, trail and recreation area Friends Gr...

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks are working on behalf of Friends Groups and state land users. Key priorities and action items are listed below. Please share with your Friends Group, legislators and other decision-makers. Find your legislator here https://legis.wisconsin.gov/. Consider contacting members of the powerful Joint Finance Committee. Read More about our positions.

Legislative Issues

by Admin on August 25, 2019

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks are working on behalf of Friends Groups and state land users. Key priorities and action items ar...

For over 20 years, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) has been dedicated to preserving, protecting, promoting and enhancing Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas
Working in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and local Friends groups, FWSP has coordinated thousands of hours of volunteer efforts, raised funds for vital state park programs and causes, and provided a public voice for our state's outdoor treasures in the legislative process.
Each year more than 17 million people visit Wisconsin state parks. State financial support for parks has diminished and FWSP continues to work with local Friends groups to fill in the gaps, provide outdoor education and improve the state park experience for the millions of people who visit each year.
It is imperative to FWSP and the Wisconsin DNR that each organization continues to work in collaboration with the other in the service of their mutual constituencies. Both organizations are rooted in deep and trusting relationships with park users and Wisconsin citizens, positioning themselves to serve and mobilize individuals around the issues of protecting, preserving, promoting and enhancing state parks.
To be effective, both organizations must share and combine resources, skills, and experiences that will enable them to engage with, and adapt to, the changing political and societal landscapes around them. FWSP Strategic Plan....

FWSP and WDNR Work Together

by Admin on August 25, 2019

For over 20 years, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) has been dedicated to preserving, protecting, promoting and enhancing Wisc...

The 2019 online store is closed for renovations. 2020 FWSP sticker store will open on Friday 11-29-19.

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks is thankful for all of the visitors in our 2019 store. We are temporarily closed for the remainder of the 2019 season. The 2020 store will feature a new, fresh look and many more items featuring the 2020 Parks Admission sticker.