The Gratitude for Wisconsin's Greatest Gifts

Newsletter Archive
Happy_Holidays
Happy_Holidays

Greetings, Friend.

Without a doubt, it's that time of year where we all strive to showcase gratitude while reminiscing on the past year. As I find the time to sneak away and enjoy some fine cross-country skiing, whether under moonlight during an evening at Fern Dell Trail in Mirror Lake State Park or taking the routes through the prairie at Governor Nelson State Park, it's always a good time to let the thoughts flow.

I want to draw attention to this month alone December. I've been continuing to travel and meet with more Friends' groups as an opportunity to listen, learn, and enhance our relationships.

In the last week alone, I have had the pleasure to meet with:

  • Friends of Governor Nelson State Park
  • Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy
  • Friends of Havenwood State Forest
  • Friends of Lakeshore State Park
  • Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail
Seth Peterson Cottage
Seth Peterson Cottage

Seth Peterson Cottage. Designed by Architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

These meetings put faces to names, addressed goals, challenges, and forward thinking. We came to discuss what Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) does for individual groups, and how to reciprocate in resources and action items.

Most importantly, it continued to hone on the core value we all have in common:

We love our Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreational areas.

Havenwood State Forest Nature Center
Havenwood State Forest Nature Center

Havenwood State Forest Nature Center

A recent meeting among a cohort comprised of Friends of Havenwood, Lakeshore, and Hank Aaron was full of passion and incredible information, particularly towards community engagement.

In particular, I was in awe learning how much Havenwood does to provide accessibility and outdoor learning for student in Milwaukee. During each school year, 4,600 1st Graders from the Milwaukee School District get to explore and understand nature. And with this being Milwaukee's only urban state forest, it makes the field trips even more significant.

I plan to divulge more about what we have accomplished this past year, as well as goals ahead in 2026 (where we celebrate 30 years!), but right now, I just want to say

"Thank You."

Your donation, voice, messages, purchases, help Friends of Wisconsin State Parks in so many ways. Supporting advocacy to our state legislators, creating engaging materials to enhance these conversations. Moreover, your contributions aid annual incentive grants that bolster individual friends' groups in getting to accomplish their projects and support for their associated property.

Your support has established something profound. The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks grows stronger, bolder, and louder as a voice because we are doing this together.

We will continue our work with partners like Gathering Waters, Groundswell Conservancy, and others to advocate for the reauthorization of Knowles Nelson Stewardship Program. We will stand to display the economic benefits of 118-plus properties throughout Wisconsin and the 65 friends that do so much to support many of them.

As we reach year's end, please consider the gift of giving to support our mission: Being the core that creates a profound splash and ripple effect that enhances individuals friends and properties with tools and resources to fulfill their own mission.

Growing our voices to advocate for better funding for parks, forests, trails.

Donate Here

Because of you, we are doing more than ever before. Let's continue to grow our resources, capabilities, and much more to ensure that there will be more generations to enjoy these beautiful, vibrant spaces that define Wisconsin.

Wishing you a happy holidays to you, your family, and friends.

Warm Regards,

Seth_Taft_Signature
Seth_Taft_Signature

Seth Taft
Executive Director, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
E: execdir@fwsp.org
P: (608) 294-0810
www.fwsp.org

Seth and Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail
Seth and Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail

Seth with Board Members of the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail.

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