Woodland Dunes is celebrating 50 years of success in 2024, and on Feb. 24, attendees had a “blast” during Woodland Dunes’ eighth annual Tropical Blast fundraiser.

The event raised more than $57,000 to support nature-based education and habitat conservation at the nature center and preserve, which is at 3000 Hawthorne Ave. in Two Rivers.

“Our goal was to raise $50,000, so we’re thrilled with the results,” said Nancy Nabak, organizer of the event. “This year, we raffled off a kayak and sold out of tickets within 20 minutes.”

Attendees enjoyed a great meal catered by Courthouse Pub, fantastic live and silent auctions, and a wine pull filled with surprises.

April Basten, a Polynesian-style dancer, also surprised the crowd with three beautiful solo performances, ending with a nice rendition of Aloha Oe.

“There’s no doubt our goal was exceeded because of the passion of our planning committee and the community’s ongoing dedication to our mission,” Nabak said.

Volunteer committee members included Kay Baum, Lynn Burzynski, Doug DeVries, Judy Goodchild, Wendy Lutzke, Melissa Nuyssen, Lynn Rennert and Jason Ring.

Woodland Dunes contains more than 1,500 acres of hardwood and conifer forests, wetlands, and prairies between Two Rivers and Manitowoc. It has 7 miles of hiking trails. Learn more at woodlanddunes.org or call 920-793-4007.

Read last week’s column:Manitowoc County project has built 8,000 wood duck houses and 14,000 bluebird houses since 1990, plus more in the latest outdoors report

Scoping the Great Outdoors: Read on for more outdoors news from throughout Manitowoc County and beyond.

Camp Tapawingo in Mishicot offers spring break day camps

Camp Tapawingo, 915 Tapawingo Road in Mishicot, is hosting two spring break day camps in March.

Session 1 is March 26 and Session 2 is March 27.

The camps are open to youth ages 7-14 and run 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

The day includes lunch and activities. Price is $35 per participant.

Go to https://www.camptapawingowi.org for more information.

Fish & Game meets March 13

Manitowoc Unit of Fish & Game will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. March 13 at Lincoln Park Cabin No. 1. The meeting is open to members and the public. Lunch and refreshments are offered.

Guest speaker will be local television personality, speaker and author John Maino, who will speak to the group about Wisconsin veterans and his experiences.

The unit reminds the community that memberships for the 2024 term are now available. Membership counts have been in decline in recent years and the organization reminds the public of the importance of supporting all 25 conservation organizations in the county.

Challenge the Outdoors plans sporting clays fundraiser

Mark your calendars as Challenge the Outdoors will hold its 26th annual sporting clays fundraiser April 13 at J&H Game Farm, Highway 156, 1.5 miles west of Navarino.

Shooting will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration ending at 2:30 p.m.

Cost is $30 for 50 targets and the second round can be shot for $20.

Lunch is included in the price with serving from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

Raffle drawings will start at 3 p.m.

Reedsville club’s Friday night fish fries end March 22

Reedsville Sportsmen’s Club will have Friday night fish fries through March 22.

Serving is 4-8 p.m. with eat-in or carry-out options.

They will have perch, chicken strips, French fries, German potato salad and cold potato salad.

To order out, call the club at 920-754-4884.

Get your deer and bear scored for new record book

The Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club will be printing a new record book this fall.

Hunters are reminded to get their deer and bear scored, as the book is printed every six years.

Wisconsin Buck and Bear Club official scorer Stan Zirbel can be contacted at 920-864-2646, or hunters can take their antlers and heads to the Big Game Extravaganza at the Maribel Sportsman’s Club show April 27.

Read more Bob Schuh:Click here to read more Scoping the Great Outdoors columns

DNR raises fees for nonresident archer and crossbow hunting licenses

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced a fee increase for nonresident archer and crossbow hunting licenses. This change is the result of Gov. Tony Evers signing Senate Bill 780, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 99.

New 2024 licenses are available for purchase.

The nonresident archer and crossbow licenses fees increased $35, from $165 to $200 per customer.

New buyers of nonresident archer licenses fees increased $17, from $82.75 to $99.75 per customer.

This change brings the cost of archer and crossbow licenses in alignment with the cost of a firearm license.

The additional revenue generated by this change will support wildlife habitat and management activities, the DNR said.

License fees for many nonresident hunting and fishing licenses increased in July 2023 as part of the 2024-2025 state budget. Licenses for the 2024 license year are available for purchase beginning March 1 and are valid April 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.

Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online via Go Wild, any DNR Service Center or from an authorized sales agent location.

That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.