Friends of Wisconsin State Parks is a non-profit organization that is made up of a volunteer Board of Directors with 18 current members, 75+ local Friends groups, and a general membership from all across Wisconsin. These groups and individuals work together to preserve, protect, and enhance the state parks, trails, recreation areas and forests around Wisconsin by providing on-the-ground work, monetary support, and advocacy for these valuable areas.
The Board has two main goals: support the local Friends groups and strengthen and maintain its relationship with the DNR. It achieves these goals by offering grant programs, website opportunities, awards, networking opportunities and more to the local groups. At the same time, FWSP meets regularly with DNR staff and emphasizes a strong working relationship between local groups and property staff.
Meanwhile, the local Friends groups each have their own Board of Directors. They meet on a regular basis, and provide support to the property that they represent by applying for grants, building necessary facilities, and holding a wide range of events. Each year, Friends groups can apply for money for development projects through the Stewardship Grant Program and hold nature programs funded by the Affinity Card Grant Program. In addition, they organize and sponsor events throughout the year, including candlelight skis, kid’s nature education programs, Halloween hikes, and more. Click on the ‘Local Groups’ tab to find a group in your area!
Board of Directors- Officers
The officers for the Board of Directors are from around Wisconsin and include:
- President: John Waring, Wausau
- Vice President: Tracey Schwalbe, New Glarus- Chair of Services & Membership Committee
- Secretary: Tim Lovett, Oconomowoc- Chair of Policy Committee
- Treasurer: Roger Putnam, Madison- Chair of Finances Committee
Board of Directors Members
The following individuals also serve on the Board of Directors:
- Mike Bauer, Cushing
- Liz Kepplinger, Madison- Chair of Outreach Committee
- Bill Lunney, Madison- Chair of Nominations Committee
- Linda Lynch, Ridgeway
- Todd Montgomery, Milwaukee
- Rick Patzke, Waupaca
- Waldo Peterson, Madison- Chair of Fundraising Committee
- Jan Primus, Madison
- Michael Raymaker, Green Bay
- Jack Travis, Ellison Bay
- John Wald, Hartford
- Jon Warren, Fitchburg
- Mike Willman, Merrill
Support Staff
The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks Board of Directors is supported by a committed group of individuals throughout the DNR. While every Friends group is supported directly by the staff at the property that they represent, a smaller number of people within the Bureau of Parks & Recreation provide direct support and contact with the FWSP Board:
