DNR Parks And Recreation News
What’s Happening In Wisconsin's State Parks,
Forests, Trails And Recreation Areas
 Volunteer at a park to celebrate Public Lands Day! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Volunteer For Public Lands Day
Public Lands Day is coming up on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024. This annual event occurs on the fourth Saturday of September every year and is the nation's largest volunteer effort over a single day. Wondering how to get involved in Wisconsin? Try volunteering!
Volunteers may donate their time as their schedule allows. Whether you're volunteering for a few hours at a property work day, or for a couple of weeks as a campground host, your service makes a world of difference.
To see all our volunteer openings and to apply online, please see our Volunteer Impact System website.
Apply to volunteer: If you are interested in volunteering with the Wisconsin State Park System, you can apply anytime. Volunteers are encouraged to apply online with the Volunteer Impact System. You may also complete and mail a Volunteer Application Form (2500-106) to the location where you wish to volunteer. You can find more information about all our properties and mailing addresses through our Find a Park webpage.
Volunteer At A Workday:
- Clean up park grounds, picnic areas, campgrounds and facilities.
- Plant trees, remove invasive species and do prairie and habitat restoration.
- Build and maintain new and existing trails.
- Enhance pollinator and rain gardens.
- Assist staff in building picnic shelters, kiosks and other property facilities.
- Do carpentry, remodeling or other construction projects.
Volunteer As A Campground Host:
- Stay at a campsite at the campground and volunteer a few hours a day.
- Greet and assist campers with information about the park and facilities.
- Assist in daily campground operations and set an example by being a model camper.
- Clean campsites, bathrooms and facilities and assist with light maintenance.
- Dispense park information and assist with campground programs.
- Enjoy the company of other campers and make sure that they enjoy their stay.
Volunteer As A Naturalist Or Nature Center Host:
- Present property-interpretive and educational programs such as campfire talks, nature walks, multi-media shows, living history programs and evening programs.
- Lead school group programs on-site.
- Conduct public workshops or classes.
- Conduct nature events in campgrounds, on park trails and at park facilities.
- Support park staff in educational programming.
- Greet visitors arriving at the Nature Center.
- Answer questions about the environment, exhibits and the property.
Volunteer In A Visitor Center:
- Greet visitors and provide brochures, maps, program schedules and answer questions.
- Assist park visitors with vehicle admission stickers, campsite registration and state trail passes.
- Staff a visitor center information desk or gift shop.
- Help coordinate special events.
- Help design and prepare exhibits, displays and bulletin boards.
- Help market and advertise park programs.
- Provide newsletters, brochures, fact sheets and information about the local area.
Adopt-A-Trail:
- Take part in the Adopt-A-Trail program by officially adopting a trail in a state park system property.
- Provide trail support and clean-up.
- Perform as crew members on trail construction, renovation and maintenance.
- Assist with the control of invasive species and the planting of native species.
- Report any trail obstructions or hazards.
Sponsors are recognized for their support with a sign posted at the trailhead.
Schedule A Service Project:
Have a group? Contact one of our properties to schedule a service project for your group, organization or business.
Property Highlight: Coulee State Forest
 Coulee combines research and recreation. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
The Coulee Experimental State Forest is a unique property in Wisconsin. This 3,000-acre forest is used for long-term forest watershed research studies to develop land management practices. The property is managed for forest production and wildlife habitat, and offers recreation opportunities for hunting, cross-country skiing, hiking and horseback riding.
The forest is characteristic of southwestern Wisconsin's Driftless Area, the unglaciated portions. The name Coulee comes from an old French word meaning ravine. The name accurately describes the area, as the forest has many of these deep gulches or ravines formed by water erosion.
The 12-mile ski trail can be used for hiking when not snow-covered. The primitive forest roads are also open to several day-use activities such as hiking, snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and nature study.
The forest provides some horseback riding opportunities. While no trails are designated for riding, all primitive roads are open to horses unless posted closed. Horseback riding is prohibited in Native Community Management Areas, on the ski trails when snow-covered and on any trail in the spring when the ground is soft.
Upcoming Events
Jersey Flats Prairie Workday
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
9 a.m. – noon
We will remove unwanted trees and shrubs. Since the southern portion of the prairie has not been burned for many years, woody species have been encroaching. Birds, mammals and insects move the seed as they feed in the area. We will cut them with a chainsaw, handsaw or pruners and a few of us will treat the stumps to prevent them from resprouting.
Meet at the parking lot on SS a quarter mile from G on the left.
Know Your Wisconsin Trees
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, High Cliff State Park
10 a.m. – noon
Join a park ranger and learn about Wisconsin trees – their forms, bark, leaves and fruit – along with basic forestry practices implemented by the park.
All ages are welcome. Dress for the weather. Meet at the Observation Tower.
Fascinating Fungi
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, Hartman Creek State Park
1 – 2:30 p.m.
We'll hike to look for and identify fungi, lichen and slime mold. Then, let's get creative by making leaf art mushrooms.
Meet at the Enclosed Picnic Shelter.
Aquatic Invasives
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, High Cliff State Park
1 – 3 p.m.
Learn about the invasive species that plague Lake Winnebago and find out what you can do to help stop them. Pleas meet Chris Acy at the marina shelter.
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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