2025 Friends Groups Incentive Grant Program: Impact & Inspiration
A Banner Year for Wisconsin State Parks
In 2025, Friends groups from across Wisconsin came together with a shared goal: to make our state parks even more welcoming, educational, and accessible. Through the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Incentive Grant Program, these dedicated volunteers submitted inspiring proposals—requesting a total of $100,329.60 in funding for projects that would enrich the park experience for everyone.
Financial Support: Doubling the Impact Statewide
Over the past five years, the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks have transformed $367,769 in incentive grants into more than $800,000 of vital support for our cherished state parks. By partnering with local Friends groups who matched—and often exceeded—the initial grant amounts, we’ve more than doubled our collective impact. Every dollar granted is multiplied by the passion and dedication of our volunteers and supporters, ensuring that Wisconsin’s parks continue to thrive.
Where the Grants Are Making a Difference
Here’s how Friends groups are investing their grant dollars in 2025:
| Category | Total Requested ($) | Percent of Total (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Naturalist Wages | $47,124.82 | 46.97% |
| Naturalist Programs & Activities | $22,186.92 | 22.11% |
| Interpretive Displays, Exhibits, Signage | $13,066.00 | 13.02% |
| Supplies, Materials, Equipment | $8,982.38 | 8.95% |
| Accessibility & Safety Improvements | $6,019.48 | 6.00% |
| Facilities & Infrastructure Repairs | $2,950.00 | 2.94% |
| Total | $100,329.60 | 100% |
Five Years of Statewide Impact
- Support for Park Naturalists and Programs: $377,198 invested, bringing educational adventures and stewardship opportunities to visitors of all ages.
- Interpretive Displays: $169,740 dedicated to helping visitors connect with the unique stories and features of each park.
- Trail Signage: $75,440 invested to keep everyone informed and on the right path.
- Equipment, Accessible Kayaks and Trailers, Fire Rings, Bike Repair Stations, and Picnic Tables: $113,160 spent to make parks more accessible, comfortable, and fun for everyone.
What Does This Mean for Visitors?
- Naturalist staff and programs create opportunities for discovery, learning, and stewardship—whether it’s a child spotting a bird for the first time or a family joining a guided hike.
- Interpretive displays and exhibits help visitors connect with the unique stories and features of each park, making every visit more meaningful.
- Supplies and adaptive equipment ensure hands-on fun for all, accommodating different learning styles and abilities.
- Accessibility and safety upgrades—like ADA-compliant playgrounds, accessible kayak launches, and bilingual programs—ensure everyone can enjoy Wisconsin’s natural wonders.
Transforming Parks for Everyone
Thanks to these investments, Wisconsin’s state parks are becoming even more vibrant and inclusive. These projects foster deeper connections to nature, promote lifelong learning, and inspire visitors to become passionate stewards of our public lands.
Your Support Matters
Did you know Wisconsin’s parks are largely self-funded? User fees, grants, and private donations—not state tax dollars—keep our parks thriving. The generosity of donors and supporters like you makes it possible to dream bigger: new trails, accessible facilities, and innovative programs that reach more people, faster.
Every donation counts. By supporting your local Friends group or the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks, you help ensure these treasured places continue to delight, educate, and inspire—today and for generations to come.
Together, we’re building a brighter future for Wisconsin’s parks—one project, one visitor, and one generous supporter at a time!Wisconsin’s parks—one project, one visitor, and one generous supporter at a time!