DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Trails, Forests And Recreation Areas
 Women have always contributed to Wisconsin's conservation efforts. This month, we honor those who came before us and those still working. From top left working clockwise: Milly Zantow (photo credit: Women Making History), Frances Hamerstrom (photo credit: Wisconsin Conservation Department, now DNR), and women currently work for the Wisconsin DNR: Krista Lutzke (photo credit: Krista Lutzke), Mia Noel (photo credit: Mia Noel), Janet Hutchens (photo credit: Wisconsin DNR), Jessica Fossell (photo credit: Jessica Fossell).
This month, Americans honor Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made throughout American history in various fields.
While many women have contributed significantly to the many natural resources fields in Wisconsin in large and small ways, we'd like to highlight a few for their contributions to Wisconsin's natural resources and conservation management programs.
“Recycling Revolutionary” Milly Zantow pioneered Wisconsin’s mandatory recycling law and developed the system that is now used worldwide to identify and separate the seven different types of plastic for recycling. Milly died in 2014, leaving an inspiring legacy that includes her well-known saying, “Waste is not waste until it is wasted.” She was inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame in April 2017.
Frances Hamerstrom, an ornithologist who helped save the prairie chicken population in Wisconsin, was the first woman in the U.S. to earn a master’s degree in wildlife management and one of the first women to work professionally in wildlife. She directed the Raptor Research Foundation and worked on Wisconsin DNR projects. She remained active as a scientist and writer until her death at age 90.
Wisconsin's first professional female biologist, Ruth Hine, was also UW-Madison's first female Ph.D. recipient (1949), studying wildlife management and zoology. She was key to developing Wisconsin's endangered species program. Her efforts led to the Legislature’s establishment of the Bureau of Endangered Resources. She then worked to establish a foundation to support the endangered species program.
Native landscaping, reducing pesticides and the benefits of prairie planting were all important for Lorrie Otto. A nationally recognized speaker and author, Otto influenced the re-establishment of native roadsides in areas of Wisconsin. She planted environmental gardens at local schools and worked to control foreign invasive plants and whitetail deer, threats to biodiversity and native vegetation in the Milwaukee area. Thanks to Lorrie Otto, hundreds of schools, businesses and private yards across the country are naturally landscaped.
Pearl Pohl's resume features a long list of conservation-focused roles. Her nomination to the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame highlights just a few:
- Pioneering the concept of outdoor field trips
- Studying soil conservation on farms
- Planting trees in the Kettle Moraine
- Securing legislation in 1936 to make environmental education mandatory in Wisconsin schools
- Fighting to preserve the Flambeau River State Forest and Namekagon River
- Lobbying to keep “wild and scenic” designations for the Namekagon and Wolf rivers
Learn more about these women and their roles in conservation on the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame website. Here's to the next generation of female conservationists!
Photo: Lorrie Otto, who led the charge to ban the pesticide DDT. Photo credit: Ney Tait Fraser
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 At Richard Bong State Recreation Area, there is no shortage of activities to pursue! Located in southeast Wisconsin and named for a native Wisconsin army pilot, this 4,000-acre state recreation area is a getaway with something for everyone.
Plan your family reunion or get the kids and parents together at one of four picnic areas at the property. All picnic areas have accessible picnic tables. Near the swimming beach, there is playground equipment and volleyball nets.
Six reservable shelters and an amphitheater are available for reservation at Richard Bong State Recreation Area. All shelters are reservable from May through October.
The property has nearly 6.5 miles of ATV trails and nearly 8 miles of off-highway motorcycle trails. The availability of the trails is determined on a daily basis. Off-road biking trails are available on the trails north of Highway 142.
In the summer, consider a trip to the beach, which includes a nearby boat launch for electric motors, canoes and kayaks. There are also almost 500 campsites at the property, for families or groups, electrified and non-electric.
Richard Bong offers an area where visitors may fly model airplanes, rockets, hang gliders and hot air balloons. Richard Bong also has space to train both hunting and sled dogs, train falcons, ride all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles and horses on trails, and hunt in season. All such activities take place in the Special Use Zone (SUZ) or managed hunt areas.
Activities in the SUZ area are closely managed to ensure compatibility. Please call ahead at least a week before your planned event for permission to use the area. Check with management if you are planning an activity (rocket launches, free flight airplanes, rubber-band airplanes, etc.) in the special use zone.
The Nature Explore Classroom, an open-air classroom, is a free-play space that welcomes visitors of all ages, abilities and sensitivities. The trail is wheelchair friendly, and activities throughout the summer provide hands-on fun for different learners.
The park also offers accessible campsites with an accessible cabin and an accessible fishing pier and wildlife blind. It also provides an adaptive Mobi beach mat.
If you've never been to Richard Bong State Recreation Area, make 2023 the year to check it out!
Richard Bong State Recreation Area is located in Kansasville. Learn more about it here.
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
Knit And Crochet Clinic
Richard Bong State Recreation Area
Saturday, March 11
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Get assistance in learning new stitches or techniques, solving a problem, and correcting mistakes! Bring your yarn/string, needles/hooks, and patterns! Meet in the Visitor Center Auditorium. This clinic is best for ages 8+. Please bring an adult to help children.
Geocaching In The Park
Willow River State Park
Saturday, March 11
1 - 3 p.m.
Get out in the fresh air and have fun with this treasure hunting activity. Bring an item to place any caches you find if you wish to take any items out. We will have a limited number of GPS units available. Feel free to bring your own GPS unit or smartphone with the free geocaching APP if you have one.
This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required. $5-$10 donations are welcome and make our programming possible. All outdoor events are weather dependent.
Questions? Email naturecenter@willowkinnifriends.org
Location: Meet at The Willow River Nature Center
Big Foot Beach Candlelight Hike
Big Foot Beach State Park
Saturday, March 11
6 - 8 p.m.
The Friends of Big Foot Beach would like to invite you to join us for an illuminated hike through the paths of Big Foot Beach State Park lit by over 300 candles.
A bonfire will follow the hike, weather permitting. This event is free, however, park admission is $5 or a 2023 annual state park sticker is required. You may also make a donation that supports the Friends of Big Foot Beach State Park.
Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Work For Wisconsin State Parks
You can join the team working at Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas this summer. Seasonal positions are now open across the state. Interviews for some positions are starting soon - apply today!
We are now hiring for:
- Park Rangers
- Visitor Services Associates
- Parks and Recreation Specialists
- Facilities Repair Workers
Pay, hours and more information are available online. Applications are only accepted online at wisc.jobs. Search by entering the keyword "parks" or by agency, Dept. of Natural Resources.
Photo credit: Justin Blindert, Wisconsin DNR
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