Mornin' to everyone worried about the snow deficit (our snow shovels certainly aren’t). 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.

*Correction for last week’s email: If this bill passes, WI residents would have a 14-day window to reserve campsites at our state parks ahead of non-residents. Also, some were asking what ‘FIB’ meant (and others were not “happy campers” that we used the term). Wisconsin Life has a nice piece on it, as well as The Badger Herald - check ‘em out to learn more.

This week’s weekly:

• WI trails adopted by NPS 🥾 

• Golf course shot down ⛳️

• $1B anti-carp development 🐟

  

  Photo courtesy of the Wisconsin DNR

Two WI Trails Adopted By The National Park System

HUGE NEWS for Wiscampsin Weekly readers (or anyone who enjoys hiking in Wisconsin’s splendor):

The Ice Age Trail (IAT) and North Country Trail are officially part of the National Park System!

That’s correct, the 1,200 mile-long IAT and 4,800 mile-long North Country Trail (the longest National Scenic Trail in the country), which are traveled by millions of hikers every year, have gone pro and are part of the NPS.

And since only half of the IAT is actually finished, could this help accelerate its completion (head nodding)???

The meat ‘n’ potatoes:

• Benefits include more resources, funding, and maintenance

• Doubles the amount of National Park System units in WI

• Resulted partly because the boisterous volunteer effort on the IAT

How it happened

Since 2014, Tammy Baldwin has advocated for this adoption via legislation, as well as refraining from washing her hiking socks in protest (ok, we made that last part up).

But what really helped the cause was the astounding volunteer efforts on the IAT.

While other trails sought NPS unit status, IAT volunteers logged a record 100,666 hours this year, which would rank the IAT in the top 10 for volunteer hours for NPS units. Woah.

And by golly it worked—the IAT and North Country Trail will join the 426 other “units” managed by the National Park System, a total of 85 million acres (if you want to nerd out on the “units” verbiage designations, click here).

This doubles the amount of NPS units in Wisconsin, as the The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway are also managed by the NPS.

Benefits

Besides making others aware of the beauty in our state, this adoption will provide a few important benefits:

1. Updated trail maps and brochures

2. Better funding for maintenance, construction, etc

While the first benefit will help us from getting lost mid hike, the second benefit is really where the money is (literally).

According to the latest estimates, the Ice Age Trail has nearly $2M worth of projects currently on backlog. And for the North Country Trail, 1,600 miles have yet to be completed.

So yea, the extra funding would be very beneficial, Uncle Sam!

"Unit status will help progress the trail, enabling us to close gaps and get closer to the goal: a continuous completed Ice Age National Scenic Trail,” said Ice Age Trail Alliance Executive Director and CEO Luke Kloberdanz.

Gettin’ out der

Interested?

Check out how to hike the Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail (yes, winter hiking is a thing!).

Or, check out how you can volunteer for the Ice Age Trail or North Country Trail. 

Don’t feel like picking up a shovel? You can help by purchasing an IATA license plate!

Now get out ‘der!

Other great Wiscampsin reads…

Hiking the North Country Scenic Trail

Hiking the Ice Age Trail

How to help the Ice Age Trail Alliance (and Renew Your Plates)

Shop Wiscampsin

Wisconsin State Bird Art Print: “Very nicely made, great colors and design. It looks amazing in my home. Keep it up Wiscampsin ❤️” - Peggy

Wiscampsin Badgers Tee: “It’s the perfect t-shirt to show off my love for camping and Wisconsin at the same time :)” - Emily

Wiscampsin Recycled License Plate Frame: “Love it! Get out der! Makes my Mazda look even better” - Alex

Wiscampsin Mug: “Awesome mug, very lightweight, the mug doesn't get piping hot if you need to microwave your coffee either.” - Matthew

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Well folks, 66% of readers love the idea of residents getting a two-week head start to book their beloved state park sites over non-residents.

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

⛳️ Golf course in the rough: A Wisconsin appeals court just thwarted The Kohler Company’s plan to build an 18-hole golf course near Lake Michigan in Sheboygan County. The judge that upheld the revocation of the group’s permit said that their Environmental Impact Statement was built not on “scientific facts and definitive plans, but speculation and promises.”

🥾 WI women get out ‘der: Who said archery, bird dogs, and pheasant hunting should be left to the men? Fearless Outdoors brings women together who want to learn new outdoor skills. But it’s not just hunting—they provide other workshops too, like ice fishing and hiking. Interested? Check it out here.

❌ Carp battle continues: Come 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will start construction on a $1.1 billion anti-carp project in Illinois. Electric and bubble barriers will be placed at crucial “choke points” in an effort to keep carp out of Lake Michigan. "We are standing on the threshold of an opportunity to prevent an entire watershed from being invaded by these new invasive species,” said the project manager.

 Sponsored by our Wiscampsin Shop!

Let’s be honest, what does that special someone in your life really want for the holidays? Some slippers? Another snow shovel? An engagement ring?

LAME. Check out the Wiscampsin shop for a great stocking every good ‘Sconnie will love!

Recycled coffee bean coffee mugs, license plate frames, our new shirts… Everything we stock, we source as sustainably as possible to keep our green spaces all the greener.

*And as always, 1% of profits will go to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

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Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Pairs well with a Spotted Cow!