First Annual State Park Poll

Mornin' to everyone busting out the grills, brats, and bag toss in honor of all this warm weather. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here. 

What we're wondering about this week:

• What's your most beloved state park? 🤔

• The next class of conservation wardens 💪

• You're invited... Work, Play, Earth Day 🌎

Wiscampsin "Most Beloved" State Park Poll 

Criminy cripes, can you believe this weather!? We'll probably eat these words, but what they hey--Winter is over! 

And with all the sunshine, we got two things on our minds: 

1. Where the hell did Sheryl put our favorite pair of jorts (the ones with the mustard stain from last fall's tailgate)

2. Our favorite State Parks

So this week's newsletter is gonna be a bit different. In fact, we need your help to make this work (don't worry - there won't be any yard work involved). 

Introducing the 1st Annual Wiscampsin "Most Beloved" State Park Poll

Essentially, we wanna know what your fav state park is. Here's how it'll work:

• Co-founder Kevin used various parameters on the internet to find Wisconsin's top 9 state parks

• We listed 'em below with a few bullet points to jog your memory - read 'em

• At the bottom, vote for your absolute favorite state park, and we'll announce the results next week

Let's get crackin'. 

The top State Parks (via the Interweb)

Copper Falls State Park | NW | Mellen, WI | Established 1929 | 3,068 acres | Best known for its two stunning waterfalls: Copper Falls and Brownstone Falls

Devil’s Lake State Park | SW | Baraboo, WI | Established 1911 | 9,217 acres | Best known for its 360 acre namesake lake surrounded by "honey would ya look at that..." bluffs

Governor Dodge State Park | SW | Dodgeville, WI | Established 1948 | 5,270 acres | "Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive and Dodge." Best known for its beautiful and rugged terrain, which includes steep hills, deep valleys, and rocky outcroppings

High Cliff State Park | NE | Sherwood, WI | Established 1956 | 1,187 acres | Best known for its stunning limestone cliffs that are, well, high. They rise over 200 feet above the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago!

Kohler-Andrae State Park | NE | Sheboygan, WI | Established 1927 | 988 acres | Best known for its beautiful beach and sand dunes along the shore of Lake Michigan. Pairs well with a couple two-three beers 

Mirror Lake State Park | SW | Baraboo, WI | Established 1962 | 2,179 acres | Best known for its calm and serene lake, which is surrounded by beautiful sandstone bluffs and forested hillsides

Peninsula State Park | NE | Fish Creek, WI | Established 1909 | 3,776 acres | Best known for its stunning views of Green Bay. You'll probably see Kevin romping about as well. 

Willow River State Park | NW | Hudson, WI | Established 1967 | 2,891 acres | Best known for its picturesque waterfall, Willow Falls, which is located on the Willow River

Wyalusing State Park | SW | Bagley, WI | Established 1917 | 2,628 acres | Best known for its stunning views of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers

Ope! Did we forget one? Feel free to write in your favorite, otherwise take your vote below!!!

There ya have it folks! Now go lace up your hiking boots and get out der!

🖼 WI State Bird: American Robin Artwork! 

When it came to our childhood art projects, mom always said: Keep your day job. 

And criminy was she right. That's why we brought aboard a local 'Scon, Kayley Hackett, to design our latest piece of Wiscampsin merch - the State Bird print!

Picture this hanging above your bed, your tool shelf, your toilet... anywhere really, it's that darn pretty.

For every purchase, 20% will be donated to The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

• 3 Options: 5" x 7", 8" x 10", and 11" x 14"

• 100lb. Matte Cardstock

• Ships in a Rigid Envelope

• Made in the USA

• Printed in Janesville, WI

• Artist: Kayley Hackett

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

We got ourselves a crane-educated audience! 42% of you got it right - more than half a million Sandhill Cranes make a stop at the Platte River on their journey north! (There will be no Crane Hats awarded to the winners, apologies to those who asked.)

NEW: Wisconsin Events

Butt glued to the couch? Here are some great Wisconsin events to get you out 'der:

SANDHILL DRUMMERS NRF TOUR - Join our resident Wildlife Biologist, Darren Ladwig, as we search for our local rock stars, the ruffed grouse.

Location: Sandhill Wildlife Area - Babcock, WI

Date & Time: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 7:00 - 10:30 a.m.

KIDS' SPRING FISHING CLINICS FOR MILWAUKEE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES - Kids' Spring Fishing Clinics are being held at various parks in Milwaukee and Washington Counties on Saturday, April 15.

Location: Various locations in Milwaukee and Washington County

Date & Time: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

SATURDAY EXPLORERS – FOR THE BIRDS - Join the naturalist for this family-friendly bird hike. We will give you some tips for identifying the birds we see on our hike.

Location: Devil’s Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI

Date & Time: Saturday, April 15, 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Know a WI Outdoors-related event happening? Reply to this email with the details and we will share the week before the event!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🌲  Show us the money: ...Says several tourism leaders to lawmakers, pitching for a permanent staff and funding for an Office of Outdoor Recreation (we don't have that already?). In 2021, outdoor rec added a whopping $8.7 billion to the state's GDP - a 14% increase from the year before. More than 20 million people visited 'Scon State Parks, a 26% increase from 2019. 

🥾 DNR recruiting new class of game wardens: Do you enjoy being outdoors? Does conservation tickle your fancy? Can you wrestle a full-grown cougar with your bare hands, if asked? Then DNR game warden might be the job for you. The DNR is recruiting a new class of wardens, apply here. 

🛶 Earth Day Heroes wanted: Sign up as a group or an individual - either way, you're invited to Work Play Earth Day events across the state. You can plant trees, pick up trash, maintain trails, and tons more. Guaranteed to buy you some good karma next time you're camping and you hear a rustle in the bushes...

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... Thanks for going in-depth into our in-depth info!