Dear Friends of Wisconsin State Parks: Good afternoon. As a person that has demonstrated their 💚 for the Wisconsin State Parks in the past, via a calendar contestant, Challenge participant, or having an individual or family membership, we are reaching out for a helping 🤚. We have the opportunity to make a significant impact during the upcoming state budget process to protect, preserve, and enhance our State Park System. We want to ensure our voices and concerns are heard, so can we count on you to be a part of our efforts? Facts: - Wisconsin State Park System is self-funded through vehicle admission stickers, trail passes, camping fees and other fees. The system receives ZERO tax dollars for daily operations. Last year’s budget was $34 million.
- By legislative action only 85% of that revenue generated is returned to manage individual properties.
- Of those funds, most is spent according to state statues created by elected officials, not based upon individual property needs or staffing levels.
- Currently, there is a $1.4 BILLION back log of infrastructure needs within the State Park System.
- Wisconsin ranks 50th in the nation for amount of money spent on each visitor in our parks, less than $1.71 per person.
- Last year the State Park System welcomed more than 20 MILLION
- In 2023, outdoor recreation contributed $11.2 BILLION in tourism dollars and employed over 96,000 people in Wisconsin.
- In 2000, 19 full time naturalists worked within the State Park System and today there are only three! That staffing level was reduced by 84 percent.
- We have properties with failing septic systems, roads, and bridges and worn-out shower buildings built in the 1970s.
What can YOU do to help? - Attend listening sessions with your elected officials and let your voice be heard. https://legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments/
- Share a picture of a park building, shelter, shower building, pit toilet, bridge, or roadway that needs some assistance. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, this will help us make our case in Madison on what is required for the health and well-being of our State Park System properties. Send to admin@fwsp.org along with location of picture and details of your story.
- Write an editorial to your local paper advocating for more State Park System funds and the re-authorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program. This link provides a template for your use. https://fwsp.org/educating/
- Support the re-authorization of the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship program for $1 BILLION over the next 10 years. It is as easy as going to this Knowles-Nelson website (https://knowlesnelson.org/take-action/) where Gathering Waters will send a postcard on your behalf.
- Share the above link with your friends and family that LOVE the Wisconsin State Park System.
- Follow us on Facebook for updates, future live video sessions…Friends of Wisconsin State Parks group.
We appreciate your support of the Wisconsin State Parks by participating in our programs and visiting our beautiful natural wonders. Together, we can make a difference for our cherished State Park System. Please feel to reach out via email or phone call if you have questions, suggestions, or ideas. Education and Advocacy Committee Bill Pennoyer, Cindy Cseri, Randy Paske, Jackie Scharfenberg, Seth Taft 608-294-0810. admin@fwsp.org https://fwsp.org/ |
