Lake Kegonsa State Park
Environmental Management

Lake Kegonsa State Park manages its operations based on an Environmental Management System (EMS). This system meets the standards for environmental management systems set by the International Standards Organization (ISO 14001) [exit DNR]. Lake Kegonsa State Park received its certification in November of 2003.

Lake Kegonsa State Park is the first park in the United States that is using an EMS as its basis for operating its facilities and programs. The project was started in 1999 when Department of Natural Resources leader proposed four pilot projects in its agency to implement this type of system and to then expand it to other locations and possibly the whole agency if the process is successful.

The EMS is based on the principles of “plan, do, check, act.” The EMS is a system for identifying and managing the environmental impacts of the organization. The process allows staff the opportunity to identify key areas of environmental impact resulting from work or visitor activity and then plan ways to minimize or eliminate negative impacts.

The staff at Lake Kegonsa State Park is committed to continuous quality improvement in our management of the ecosystems in the park as well as all park operations. It is a goal to be a leader in “treading lightly on the earth.” The park is working projects to protect and enhance the environment. All areas of the park operation are considered in the EMS.

Some small changes have been made, such as the use of fluorescent lighting over the conventional incandescent lighting, along with photo cells, timers or motion sensors to reduce energy consumption. Soy-based products have also been used. The park newspaper is printed with soy-based ink, and the maintenance crew uses soy oil on the chainsaw for cutting trees, to avoid leaving petroleum-based oils out in the environment.

In 2004, a larger project was completed, to stabilize the beach from eroding due to large waves and ice action. The park staff and volunteers constructed a boardwalk into the marsh, and the decking is all made from recycled plastics and wood fibers. Other changes include moving from two-cycle to four-cycle gasoline or diesel engines in our maintenance equipment whenever possible. Diesel equipment has reduced emissions as well as a longer life span of operation. The park has a diesel lawn mower, tractor loader, and 4-wheel utility vehicle. All aspects of purchasing have been affected, and the staff makes every effort to buy “green” products whenever possible.

The park continuously evaluates the performance of the EMS and makes changes as necessary. The park staff, along with volunteers and stakeholders, are working together to improve services to the public and are protecting the environmental quality of the park and its ecosystems through the use of the environmental management system.

For more information, call (608) 873-9695, e-mail Lake Kegonsa State Park, or US mail:

Lake Kegonsa State Park
2405 Door Creek Road
Stoughton, WI 53589