New updates to WI State Parks

Wisconsin's State Parks are getting a major upgrade PLUS Elk tag winners, ribbon cutting ceremony, and fish consumption study

Author

Forrest Koslowski
July 13, 2022

Mornin' to everyone eating squeaky cheese today. 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.

Today's technological itinerary:

  • State Parks face lift 🌳 

  • Mendota Trail ribbon cutting ceremony 🚴 

  • Elk season winners announced 🦌 

New State Parks Director to give WI state parks a digital face lift

Well folks, we're officially in the prime time to visit Wisconsin's State Parks.

Whether it's a sunrise over Devil's Lake or cruising the National Lakeshore in a canoe, our state parks' beauty is pretty hard to beat.

But there is one area that could use a major upgrade, and you know it if you've ever tried to search the Brewer's score while out on a hike: the parks' technological infrastructure.

That's the motivation for new State Parks Director Steve Schmelzer to make some pretty major (and needed) technology updates to the parks' system.

Mapping and WiFi woes

Though a hefty task, Director Schmelzer plans to roll out these updates to the 49 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state bike trails, and more than 5,000 campsites during his tenure:

  • GPS mapping: no more guessing based off that paper map you spilled your custard on in the parking lot.

  • Park-wide WiFi: Though we're fans of digital detoxes, sometimes you need to Google what poison ivy looks like when "duty calls" on the trail, if you catch our drift...

  • A Wiscampsin TikTok funded purely to explore all the state parks (alright, wishful thinking but not a bad idea if you ask us...)

Show me the money

To take our state parks from the Stone Age and into the 21st century, it's gonna take a little bit of dough.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin is nearly in dead last when it comes to tax funding for our state parks, just beating out Arizona and Texas for 48th place. Oh criminy, they don't even have brats there..

It's frankly a bit embarrassing as we actually rank 19th in the nation for park visitation. Alas, we spend just $1.20 per park visitor and just $134/acre (the national average is $154/acre).

'Scons to the rescue

Since the 2015-2017 budget cut out state tax funding, parks have been completely self-reliant on camp reservations and park pass sales to keep afloat.

Fortunately, while some folks melded into their couch cushions during the pandemic, us 'Scons took up outdoor pursuits to pass the time.

From 2019 to 2020, state park pass sales rose by more than 42%, and we're tracking for a 19% increase in 2021.

But it's not just leaf peepers and hikers - fishing and deer hunting license sales skyrocketed as well, helping to bolster state conservation efforts.

The increased engagement bodes well for Wisconsin outdoor recreation, and will help fund projects like Schmelzer's above.

What can we do?

Get out 'der and support your local state park! You can buy a a day pass or annual pass, which helps fund the folks maintaining the parks for all of us to enjoy.

Fun fact: The 2022 sticker was designed by contest winner Kaylee Goodman of Slinger (Forrest's hometown). Rock on, Kaylee!

This week's Wiscampsin Weekly is brought to you by White Bridge Coffee Co.

Someone asked me recently if I've ever been in love... and the answer is absolutely.

It happened one perfect morning on a camping trip. I woke up in my tent, surprised at the full-night's rest I'd had.

I opened the door to birds, singing hello in the canopy above me. What's more, there wasn't a mosquito to be found. Was this a dream?!

Then I smelled it:

White Bridge Coffee. Kevin, bless his sweet heart, brought a steaming mug over to me. My lips, quivering, touched the delicious treat that was this dark roast, and the rest was history...

Based out of Madison, WI, White Bridge Coffee Co. offers specialty roasts that absolutely knock your socks off (still looking for mine).

What's more, they're 1% For The Planet and donate another 1%+ of revenue to environmental non-profits.

The "Holy Cripes" Moment of the Week❗️

It must be a full moon, 'cause this video of a wolf mother and her pups has us howling! A trail cam captured the furry family up in Northern Wisconsin. (See if you can spot the pup chasing its tail!)

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🚲 Mendota trail unveiled: We almost - almost - have a fully functioning Lake Mendota trail. Join the DNR for a ribbon cutting ceremony, which will reveal a new half-mile segment of the North Mendota Trail.

🦌 Elk hunters announced: Bingo! The DNR selected three winners from more than 25,000 applicants. Those who applied had their $10 application fee go directly to conserving Wisconsin's elk population. The lucky winners hail from Fort Atkinson, New Richmond, and Hudson. Just be sure to invite us over for venison steaks!

🐠 Too much fish: A new study found that only half of Great Lakes residents know about fish consumption warnings. Women, young folks, and people of color were less likely to know about the EPA's recommendations of limiting fish consumption to two meals a week. Just don't take away Friday Fish Fry's...

See you next week!

A Review from the Trail...

Well, how'd we do this week?

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