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WDNR Outdoor Report

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Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Outdoor Report
Small Steps To Help Wisconsin's Resources
Plus, Spring Trail Tips And Purchase Your 2021 Park Pass

Tomorrow is Earth Hour Day! Held every year on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages millions of people in more than 180 countries and territories to switch off their lights to show support for our planet. Learn how you can celebrate Earth Hour Day here.

Earth Hour is a great reminder that small steps can make big impacts. Interested in learning about other ways to protect the resources you love? Here are some tips to get started:

Wisconsin is a leader in recycling; to remain at the forefront, each of us can do more. Find out more about recycling at home, including what you can recycle and where you can recycle, here.
Many food scraps don't have to end up at the landfill. Learn tips and tricks for composting. The EPA also offers a helpful guide for reducing wasted food at home.

What about batteries? They're everywhere in our lives, so it is important to know what kinds you have and how to dispose of them safely. Some used batteries can safely go in the trash, but others need to be handled carefully to prevent fires. Our household battery guide offers advice on proper disposal.
A close-up of state-endangered purple milkweed flower with a blurred green background.
Become A Rare Plant Detective

We need your help to find Wisconsin's rare and beautiful plants and help conserve them! Last year, volunteers for the Wisconsin DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program discovered four new populations of the state-endangered purple milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens).

Help us make more amazing discoveries this spring and summer by participating in the Rare Plant Monitoring Program. Take the required online training now. Please note: Plant identification will not be taught, so some skill is required.

Find Your Adventure With A 2021 Park Pass

Plan for adventure this year by purchasing your 2021 park pass or state trail pass. Annual vehicle admission stickers offer admission to all state parks and forests for the calendar year. The 2021 annual stickers are valid through Dec. 31, 2021.  A state trail pass is required for all people age 16 or older biking, cross-country skiing, horseback riding or in-line skating on certain trails. A state trail pass is not required for walking or hiking. Wisconsin state trail pass fees are the same for residents and non-residents.

Two Ways To Purchase

Online: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has an option to purchase certain annual Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission stickers online. Annual Wisconsin Resident, Annual Wisconsin Resident Senior and Non-resident Annual stickers can be purchased online. Additionally, one Reduced Rate Annual sticker (for a vehicle registered to the same household address) can be purchased online at the same time with a full-price sticker. Annual state trail passes and daily admission stickers and passes are not currently available for purchase online.

At a state park: Annual and daily admission stickers and state trail passes can be purchased at Wisconsin State Park System properties via self-registration, electronic kiosk or drive-up window service. Please call ahead to check on availability and hours.

Spring means new trails and new opportunities for adventure in Wisconsin's outdoors. It's also a good time to remember to share the trail and practice caution on muddy or rutted trails.

Here are a handful of OutWiGo good practices to help make everyone’s outdoor experience (including your own) more enjoyable.


Muddy And Rutted Trails:

Try to use hard surface trails like asphalt or stone this time of year rather than native surface or dirt/grass trails.

Think before you sink; if you leave tracks, turn back and try another trail.
Seek out upland trails or trails in sandy areas that drain well.

If you come across a muddy, wet or icy section of trail and cannot turn back, go right down the middle and embrace the mud – do not go around it and widen the trail tread which can damage habitat.
Avoiding muddy trails now helps to limit closures and repairs later.

Be mindful of safety issues like slippery areas or areas covered in water – walk your bike and go slowly.

Etiquette Tips For Every Season:

Know before you go. Learn what types of trail use are permitted at your destination and obey traffic (and other) laws and signs.

Ride single file. You can ride two or more abreast if you will not block other traffic.
Walk with no more than two people across to allow others to pass.

All users should stay right except to pass. Pass on the left of those you’re passing.
 When passing, move to single file and announce yourself (verbally or with a bell) before passing. Slow down when maneuvering around other trail users.

Pets must be on a leash 8 feet or shorter and kept under control. Keep your pet out of the path of oncoming or passing traffic. When possible, walk with your pet on the outer edge of the trail.
Pack it in, pack it out. Pick up your litter.

Thank you for helping keep our trails safe for all users. Please be considerate of all trail users and keep a physical distance of 6 feet between yourself and those outside your group. Learn more about safety guidelines and trail etiquette HERE https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/

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