Who We Are

The Friends of Willow River & Kinnickinnic State Parks is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation founded in 1990. The Friends are a network of volunteers who have “adopted” the State Parks. We work with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to organize and fund supplemental park programs, projects, and events. ​

     

Our Mission:

To enhance the Parks’ natural environment and engage visitors through recreation, education, and conservation.

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Our Impact:

•Fund a full-time Naturalist -- for school groups, the public, etc.

•Willow River Nature Center -- utilization and maintenance, plus capital campaign for replacing small, decades-old structure    

•Year-round educational and recreational programming -- engaging events for visitors of all ages

•Interpretive stewardship and citizen science projects -- blending public parks with individual engagement

•Equipment purchases -- for maintenance, trail development, ski grooming, etc.

•Year-round volunteer opportunities -- connecting people with the Parks to fulfill our broader mission ​​