My Friend,
The following words come not only from the heart, but convey much weight.
As we settle into this season of gratitude, we’re reminded just how much Wisconsin’s state parks, forests, and trails give us every single day. This year, those places have faced more challenges than ever before.
In the new state biennial budget, only $12 million was allocated for capital maintenance improvements across the entire Wisconsin State Park System for the next two years—a fraction of the $400 million that was requested to meet even the most urgent needs. Meanwhile, Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program faces uncertainty to be renewed. A bipartisan program that has provided millions of dollars of grant funding to our groups. Even more, the backlog of repairs and improvements has climbed past $1 billion, and visitor numbers are expected to top 20 million before the year ends.
And while the demand for safe, welcoming, well-maintained public lands continues to grow—funding does not.
No one feels that strain more than the 60-plus Friends groups across Wisconsin who provide vital volunteer hours, fundraising, education, and stewardship. That’s why your support this Friendsgiving truly matters. When you contribute to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, your gift goes directly to the front lines of care: - It fuels our Incentive Grant Program, helping Friends groups complete trail repairs, build accessible features, update educational materials, and improve nature centers.
- It strengthens our statewide efforts to educate legislators about the importance of these cherished places. Places that define Wisconsin’s identity, bolster local economies, attract tourists, and anchor community well-being.
It ensures that our parks, forests, and trails remain places where every person can find adventure, connection, restoration, and belonging. Why wait for Giving Tuesday on December 2nd? You can be a friend today.
Your generosity this Friendsgiving helps protect the places we love—just as much as we love our own homes. Because for so many of us, these lands are home. They are where our families explore, where memories take root, where traditions begin, and where future generations deserve the same beauty we’ve been blessed with.
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