Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Volunteers sought to help Wisconsin State Parks prepare for the summer season

MADISON – People looking for ways to celebrate Earth Day by helping to improve Wisconsin’s environment can participate in volunteer work days that are scheduled at 10 state parks across Wisconsin.

“With a tight economy, state park officials are anticipating more people will be looking for recreational opportunities close to home, and they expect state parks will be especially busy this summer,” said Luthien Niland, Wisconsin State Parks liaison to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, which is sponsoring and coordinating the volunteer work days.

Volunteers will help local Friends groups and Department of Natural Resources parks staff to prepare the parks for the summer season by clearing debris from trails and campgrounds, making minor repairs to park structures, cleaning up beaches and waterfronts, controlling invasive species, and a variety of other tasks.

“This is an opportunity for visitors to give back to the favorite park or explore a new park they have never been to before,” Niland said. “There will also be time set aside for people to appreciate and enjoy the park where they volunteer.”

The volunteer work days kick off on Saturday, April 25 in honor of Earth Day on April 22, and will continue on the following two Saturdays. The rain date for each event will be the following Sunday. Lunch and snacks, donated by area businesses, will be served at each location. Advanced registration is free, but required. People can find more information or register through the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Web site at [http://www.fwsp.org/] (exit DNR).

The work days will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the following dates at the parks listed:

Saturday, April 25:
  • Mirror Lake State Park, Baraboo
  • Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville
  • Lake Kegonsa State Park, Madison
  • Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien  
Saturday, May 2:
  • Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca
  • Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls
  • Kettle Moraine State Forest- Northern Unit, Fond du Lac
Saturday, May 9:
  • Perrot State Park, Trempealau
  • Buckhorn State Park, Necedah
  • Copper Falls State Park, Mellen
The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks is a nonprofit organization that works to support local Friends groups around the state and assists them in enhancing, preserving, and protecting Wisconsin State parks, forests, and trails.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Luthien Niland - (608) 264-8994 or luthien.niland@wi.gov.

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