Greetings, Friend.

This is the first blog post on our website and as executive director, I’m deciding to dive in head first with the latest happenings for our organization.

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:

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

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.

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.

Happiest of holidays and warmest regards,

Seth Taft
Executive Director, Friends of Wisconsin State Parks