Wisconsin is calling all nature enthusiasts to embark on a journey through its natural landscapes with the Natural Resources Foundation's Field Trips this season. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) pairs up with the Natural Resources Foundation (NRF) to offer public excursions that connect people with the region's diverse ecosystems. As reported by the DNR, the initiative has now entered its 32nd season, promising a variety of expert-led adventures between April and early November.
This year, according to the DNR release, there are a whopping 278 trips on the docket, with activities ranging from "birdwatching via train in northern Wisconsin to paddling the Sugar River in southern Wisconsin." Christine Tanzer, NRF field trip director, noted, "It’s still cold outside, but Wisconsinites are already dreaming of summer and planning out all their adventures." The outings are designed to provide exclusive access to some of Wisconsin’s most cherished natural spots, many of which are typically not open to public exploration.
The lineup boasts field trips like "Dragonflies of the Wolf River Watershed," "Introduction to Foraging," and "Hawk Banding at Cedar Grove Ornithological Station," all detailed in the NRF Field Trip Guidebook. Each listing in the guide provides specifics about the trip's location, length, and difficulty, in addition to terrain information, indications on whether the trip is family-friendly, and accessibility options. Out of all the trips, the DNR highlights that 20 are ADA accessible and 45 are considered low physical demand.
Both the NRF and DNR are motivated by a desire to deepen public appreciation for Wisconsin's wild locales and to foster conservation awareness. "It’s good for people to get outside as much as possible," Tanzer said. "They have a blast on these trips. And, if they fall in love with the place they’re exploring, maybe they’ll get inspired to protect those places, too." Trips also promote green practices by offering carpooling options to reduce participants' carbon footprints, as mentioned by DNR.
Adventure-seekers looking to join the field trips can register online starting April 8 at noon, but there’s a catch – registration is exclusive to members of the Natural Resources Foundation. Prospective attendees are encouraged to sign up quickly, as space tends to fill up rapidly. As per the DNR's outline, these trips are non-refundable and will proceed regardless of weather, but leave Fido at home – no dogs are permitted. For all the details and to get in on the action, interested parties can dive into the full trip list available in the guidebook on the DNR website.
