Don’t Be Fooled By Wildlife Lookalikes

Volunteer For Earth Month

Volunteers are essential to helping the DNR protect and enhance Wisconsin’s abundant natural resources. Lend your skills and talents for an hour, a day, a weekend or as much time as you’re willing to give.

There are several ways you can pitch in:

Work Play Earth Day

Join us throughout April at various properties across the state for family-friendly activities that help enhance public lands in our communities.

These Work Play Earth Day events lead to lasting enhancements, increased awareness and continued support for Wisconsin’s state parks and wildlife areas.

Activities may include planting trees and shrubs, removing invasive plants, helping with trail and campground maintenance, picking up litter and more. Find a Work Play Earth Day event happening in your part of the state.

125 Years Of Service

This year, the Wisconsin State Park System is celebrating 125 years of serving the people of Wisconsin. As part of this milestone celebration, volunteers who participate in a workday event may receive a special Work Play Earth Day token of appreciation thanks to the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks.

Following service projects, volunteers are encouraged to stay, play and enjoy all that Wisconsin’s state parks, forests, recreation areas and trails have to offer.

Other Ways To Help

The DNR hosts a wide variety of events around the state the public can get involved in year-round. Check out service projects through the DNR’s volunteer portal or visit the DNR Events calendar to discover even more ways to get involved.

Embark On A Guided Outdoor Adventure

Explore Wisconsin this year with a Natural Resources Foundation Field Trip.

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a nonprofit that protects our state’s lands, waters and wildlife and connects all people with nature.

This year is the 32nd season of Natural Resources Foundation Field Trips, and 278 trips are scheduled from April through early November. Field trips are expert-led adventures that explore Wisconsin in a variety of ways, from birdwatching via train in northern Wisconsin to paddling the Sugar River in southern Wisconsin. These trips often offer a behind-the-scenes look at Wisconsin’s natural treasures, including many that are not usually open to the public.

Learn more about the impact of these Field Trips and some of the exciting opportunities happening this year in the article “Outdoor opportunities – no experience needed” in the spring issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

Registration is only available online starting at noon on April 8 and is only open to Natural Resources Foundation members. Those interested are encouraged to sign up soon, as trips can fill quickly. Field trips are non-refundable and will run rain or shine. No dogs are allowed on trips.

Watch For Short-Distance Shufflers This Spring

When it comes to migration, there are long-haul fliers like the common tern (which can travel up to 5,000 miles) and short-distance strollers like tiger salamanders who strut their way about a half mile from winter hibernation sites to spring breeding grounds.

Over the next few weeks, watch out for salamanders crossing roadways near wetlands or ponds, especially at night or during rain storms.

If you see a salamander and can stop safely, please pick it up and take it across the road in the direction it was heading.

Also, check your window wells (especially after rain) for salamanders and toads that need a hand getting out and consider adding a ramp for any future wayward travelers (a 1×4 works well). Secure covers on window wells can also help keep critters out and should be checked seasonally for gaps and cracks.