Friends of Willow River-Kinnickinnic State Parks

In 2023, with a volunteer board of ten, and with one and three quarters full-time naturalists employed, the Friends: Offered 150 programs to 6,500 participants of all ages and backgrounds through school field trip programs, naturalist classes, weekend events, and drop-in programs focused on geology, human history, the natural environment, recreation, and other educational and seasonal topics. Including 25 school and youth field trips with1,284 field trip attendees and 8 adult outings including assisted living and dementia care groups. Staffed and kept the nature center open to visitors for 345 days, welcoming 12,000 visitors. Sought and received grant funding, donations, and volunteer support that resulted in the development of 10+ additional miles of mountain biking trails at Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks. Kept Willow River Nature Center staffed and open to the public daily from noon-4pm for roughly 345 days in 2023, logging 12,000 visitors. See Sched O