DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 There are plenty of ways to give the gift of the outdoors this holiday season. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Want to get your holiday gift buying done with seasonal items? This year, give the gift of the outdoors to those on your list.
Wisconsin State Park Admission Stickers
Buy admission stickers for those on your list who like to explore – this one sticker gets them access to spending all 365 days of 2024 finding adventures at Wisconsin's beautiful state parks. And even better, they're valid from the time of purchase, so your loved ones can start exploring right away.
It's quick and easy to purchase online. We recommend sending the sticker to yourself if you plan to give as a gift.
In charge of purchasing the holiday gifts for staff at your workplace? Why not give them the gift of the outdoors as well? To place bulk orders of less than 20 stickers, stop by your local park or order from them via phone. To order 20 or more stickers, email DNRFWPPRWIParksStore@wisconsin.gov.
Wisconsin State Trail Passes
Trail passes are another great gift idea for this time of year. At this time, trail passes are not available online. State trail passes can be purchased in person at DNR service centers, individual properties via drive-up window service and at designated trail pass vendors across the state. Annual trail passes can also be purchased through self-registration kiosks at trailheads and will be mailed.
Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine
Wisconsin Natural Resources keeps the public informed about DNR programs, recreational opportunities, partner news and the state’s bountiful and beautiful natural resources. The DNR's magazine is published quarterly in spring, summer, fall and winter and follows in the footsteps of agency publications dating as far back as the early 1900s.
Take advantage of our holiday sale through Jan. 2, 2024 by getting five issues for $5 (normally $8.97 for four issues). Subscribe yourself or give a gift in just a few minutes online or by calling 1-800-678-9472.
Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund
Trying to avoid giving those you love more stuff? Try making a donation in their honor to a cause that makes a positive change. The Endangered Resources Fund is a great way to contribute toward protecting Wisconsin's special species and spaces.
With a donation to the Endangered Resources Fund, you can help provide critical support for many of Wisconsin's rarest plant and animal species. The fund has helped protect and restore some of the last remaining populations of declining species and special habitats like remnant prairies and oak savannas found in Wisconsin's state natural areas.
Learn more about donations to the Endangered Resources Fund and make one today on our website.
Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Contest
The 2024 Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is now open. Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades enrolled in public, private, parochial or home schools in Wisconsin are eligible to participate.
The Keep Wildlife Wild program began in 2014 to spread the word about our shared role in keeping all wildlife healthy in its natural habitat. The contest's goal is to create a poster that teaches the importance of enjoying and observing wildlife in the wild and not keeping wildlife in homes or as pets.
During the warmer months of spring and summer, the frequency of human and wildlife encounters increases, especially those involving young wild animals.
While most of these encounters are harmless, there are times when well-intentioned people disrupt wildlife because they mistake a lone baby animal for an orphan.
The Keep Wildlife Wild poster contest is a fun way for kids to help spread the important message to keep wildlife wild. The DNR encourages students to learn how they can help keep wild animals in Wisconsin safe and healthy by visiting the Keep Wildlife Wild webpage.
Judging will take place in February. Those who submitted designs will be notified by email of winners in March. The DNR will also announce winners in a statewide news release and Facebook post during the sixth annual Keep Wildlife Wild Week in April.
For inspiration to help design your poster and learn about Wisconsin critters, visit EEK! Critter Corner or check out the DNR’s Keep Wildlife Wild webpage.
Contest Deadline And Submission Options
All submissions must be received electronically via email or by mail and must include the student’s entry form and artwork by 5 p.m. on Feb. 16, 2024. Submit entries to:
Wisconsin Keep Wildlife Wild Poster Design Contest
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Taylor Czyscon
PO Box 100 Friendship, WI 53934
Email: KeepWildlifeWild@wisconsin.gov
Poster Contest Rules:
- The poster entry must contain the words: "Keep Wildlife Wild 2024" and follow the theme of: “Safe in their home.” Whether it is a rabbit nest in a garden, a robin nest in the branches of a tree, or a fawn’s hiding spot in the long grass of a field, each of their homes is unique and helps keep them safe. Young artists are encouraged to design their poster with this idea in mind.
- All posters must consist of original artwork of Wisconsin native wildlife.
- Posters must fit an 8 ½" x 11" sheet of paper.
- Posters must be submitted individually; No team creations.
To see the complete list of rules and requirements, please visit the DNR’s Keep Wildlife Wild 2024 Poster Design Contest webpage.
Photo Credit: iStock/lavin photography
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 Make plans to celebrate the new year at a First Day Hike like this group at Newport State Park. Find details on the DNR's Events Calendar. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Newport State Park
Newport State Park's wilderness experience offers over 2,300 acres of forest on 11 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, 30 miles of hiking trails, and backpack camping as a quiet alternative to bustling Door County. At the far end of the Door Peninsula, Newport is also designated as a Dark Sky Park, a perfect destination for winter stargazing.
Newport State Park offers an array of accessible opportunities, including an accessible picnic shelter, a paved walkway to the beach and a beach wheelchair. For more information on the beach wheelchair, contact the park office. Fern/Europe Bay Trail is a flat and wide universal trail paved with crushed limestone and segmented with the boardwalk. The Discovery Pen located at the park office is filled with auditory and tactile messages created for the Fern/Europe Bay Trail.
Over 26 miles of trails are open for cross-country skiing. There are 12 miles of groomed and tracked trails for classical skiing, and two miles are groomed for skate skiing. About five miles of trails are open for snowshoeing.
Newport has 17 backpack (hike-in) campsites, including one group site. All sites can be reserved. Campers must hike or bike in all gear and supplies. There are no carts available at the park. There are a few amenities at the sites, including a pit toilet, fire ring with flip-up grill, a lock box for food and a bench or two. Water is available at the park office or at a solar pump near the picnic shelter by Lot 3 (seasonally). There are no shower facilities at the park. All garbage must be carried out of all campsites.
Many park beaches along the Great Lakes provide a rare opportunity to view open lake water during the winter months. To find a property near you, view the DNR's Find a Park page.
Winter Greenery Classes
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
8:30 a.m. – noon
Use natural greenery at Richard Bong State Recreation Area to create beautiful door decoration, porch pots, and more! This class will have a fee in addition to park entrance fees.
Find full event details and timing on the DNR's Events Calendar.
Door Decoration “Swags” will be $20 each. Porch Pots and Gnomes will be $30 each.
You must register for this event by calling 262-878-5609.
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Learn To Hunt Pheasants
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
This is a single-day event at the MacKenzie Center where participants will learn the biology and the techniques to hunt pheasants. There will be an instructional portion in the morning and a pheasant hunt in the afternoon.
Cost: $10 to be paid the day of the event.
To sign up, contact the Friends of the Poynette Game Learn to Hunt Coordinator: Jerry Schenk, emma121801@gmail.com or 608-279-5840.
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Twilight Winter Walk
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023
3 – 6 p.m.
Join us for hot cocoa and a candlelit walk around Beckman Lake in Cadiz Springs State Park on Saturday, Dec. 2. You can stroll on your own or join one of the guided walks scheduled between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Registration for the event is not required but appreciated. The event is free but donations are happily accepted for future park improvements.
Photo Credits: Wisconsin DNR
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Love this newsletter? Forward it to a friend! Help your friends and family stay up-to-date with news, highlights and events from the Wisconsin State Park System with our weekly OutWiGo Newsletter. To sign-up for weekly newsletters, visit the OutWiGo webpage.
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