Wisconsin State Park System
Friends Groups

• Starting a Friends Group
• Dave Hammer Fund

Friends groups support the mission and activities of more than 70 Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas. Many friends groups sponsor programs, events and fundraisers for their properties. Many friends group members generously volunteer their time and talents to support the property by volunteering in the park office, assisting in the nature center, helping staff with the maintenance of trails, facilities, campgrounds and day-use areas, and participating in many other activities.

Friends of Peninsula State Park.
DNR Photo

If you're interested in becoming an official friend of a particular state park, forest, or trail, contact the state property for information, or see the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks (FWSP) website [exit DNR] for a list of official friends groups. FWSP is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance, preserve, protect, restore, and promote Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails, and recreation areas.

Starting a Friends Group

If you are interested in starting a friends group at a property where none currently exists, "How to Form An Official DNR Friends Group In Wisconsin [PDF]" will give you a good idea of what is involved with the process. This two-page document lays out the steps you will need to take to become a friends group and where to direct questions.

Dave Hammer Memorial Endowment Fund

The Dave Hammer Memorial Endowment Fund is a self-sustaining revolving fund which provides initial funding for the establishment of new friends groups. It is expected.to exist in perpetuity through interest income, earnings on investments, grants, and contributions.

The Dave Hammer Memorial Endowment Fund exists through the generous donations of more than 50 benefactors in memory of David Hammer, former section chief for the Bureau of Parks and Recreation who guided the creation of the State Park Friends Group Program. General guidelines for the fund:

• A committee consisting of an uneven number of members shall decide on recipients of the funds.
• Each loan shall be made for a period of no more than two years with an interest rate of 2 percent and shall not exceed $500 in principal. All gains and interest received on loans shall be returned to the fund.
• Each group wishing to apply for a loan must submit a brief application stating the purpose(s) for which the money will be used, a proposed budget and business plan. A letter of support from the property manager (or other as appropriate) must accompany the application.

Applications for funds may be sent to:

Friends of Wisconsin State Parks
c/o PR/6
Post Office Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707-7921

For more information, ask Patricia Loosen, (608) 264-8994.