Volunteer With The DNR To Protect And Enhance Wisconsin's Natural Resources

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages all Wisconsinites to roll up their sleeves and volunteer this Earth month and every month of the year.

Volunteers are essential to helping the DNR protect and enhance Wisconsin's abundant natural resources. Lend your skills and talents for an hour, a day, a weekend or as much time as you're willing to give.

There are several ways you can pitch in:

Work Play Earth Day 

Join us throughout April at various properties across the state for family-friendly activities that help enhance public lands in our communities.

These Work Play Earth Day events lead to lasting enhancements, increased awareness and continued support for Wisconsin's state parks and wildlife areas.

Activities may include planting trees and shrubs, removing invasive plants, helping with trail and campground maintenance, picking up litter and more. Find a Work Play Earth Day event happening in your part of the state.

Community Science Opportunities

April also happens to be Citizen Science Month, also known as community science. We're celebrating the dedicated volunteers in scientific research and monitoring efforts.

There are active community science projects in every county, with volunteer opportunities available for everyone, regardless of skill level, science experience or availability.

Some of the community science projects happening around the state include invasive and rare plant surveys, the Bumble Bee Brigade, carnivore tracking, bat monitoring, turtle conservation, animal identification through Snapshot Wisconsin and much more.

Find more information about community monitoring efforts and how to get involved on our Citizen-Based Monitoring webpage. 

State Natural Areas Volunteer Program

Help us care for some of our state's most pristine public lands by attending a State Natural Area Workday. Encourage native plants and animals to thrive by cutting brush, controlling invasive species, collecting seeds, monitoring rare species and preparing fire breaks.

Workdays take place year-round and are a great way to get some exercise, have fun and learn something new.

Join A Friends Group Or Adopt A Fish Or Wildlife Area 

A Friends Group is a nonprofit organization whose members volunteer their time, services and support to enhance Wisconsin's state parks, forests, trails, wildlife areas and recreation areas. Many friends groups co-sponsor Earth Day events at DNR properties and often provide lunches or refreshments.  

Like a Friends Group, organizations and individuals can help support the more than 300 wildlife and fisheries areas in Wisconsin by joining the Adopt A Fish Or Wildlife Area program. Participants help with habitat improvements, litter removal, surveys, financial donations and more.  

Run For The Trees: Happy Little 5K 

Inspired by artist Bob Ross, this virtual race is designed for everyone and benefits tree health and protection across the state. Participants can walk, run, skate, scooter, cycle or use a mobility device to complete the 3.1-mile race and even get to pick their start and finish locations. Registrants can complete the race anytime between April 22 (Earth Day) and April 26 (Arbor Day). 

Registration is open until April 15, 2024 and suggested 5K routes at Wisconsin state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas are available on the DNR’s OutWiGo webpage. 

Proceeds support tree planting and forest protection in state parks.

Other Ways To Help

The DNR hosts a wide variety of events around the state the public can get involved in year-round. Check out service projects through the DNR’s volunteer portal or visit the DNR Events Calendar to discover even more ways to get involved.