Friends of Governor Nelson State Park

06/03/2026

The first weekend of June highlights two big events: the Drain Campaign and the DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend.

The Drain Campaign promotes the importance of boaters and anglers to always drain water from their livewells, boats and equipment. Clean Boats, Clean Waters inspectors will be out across the state reminding anglers and boaters that draining water before leaving a boat landing or fishing access point is an important step towards preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) – and it's required by law!

Next time you head out to fish, help prevent the spread of AIS by following these steps:

– INSPECT your boat, trailer, and equipment.
– REMOVE anything attached.
– DRAIN all water from boats, motors, and equipment.
– NEVER MOVE live fish away from a waterbody.
– DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
– BUY minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. If live bait such as minnows or worms comes in contact with lake or river water, it can only be used on that same waterbody or discarded in trash.

06/03/2026

06/03/2026

Free this weekend! Get out and enjoy! No admission stickers, trail passes or fishing licenses required! Dane County and Madison parks are also free this weekend.

This June 6–7, Wisconsin's outdoors are open for everyone to enjoy. No admission sticker is required at any of Wisconsin's 50 state parks, 15 state forests, or 44 state trails—just show up, explore responsibly, and make some memories.

Thinking about casting a line? 🎣 You're in luck. Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license this weekend, and trout and salmon stamps are also waived.

Whether you're hiking a favorite trail, paddling a quiet lake, camping under the stars, or discovering a new adventure, this is the perfect weekend to opt outside and reconnect with nature.

🌲 Leave the stress behind.
🥾 Find your next adventure.
📸 Bring home memories.

Tell us: Where are you planning to explore this Free Fun Weekend? Drop your destination in the comments below!

05/31/2026

Go for the Goats!

Make plans for next Sunday, June 7 at Turville Point Conservation Park and join us at Gratitude in Nature!

We've partnered with Friends of Olin Turville (FOOT), Dane County Trash Lab, Dane County Parks and Devonna Peters, a Registered Yoga Teacher, for a unique outdoor experience that blends yoga, animal education, accessibility and hands-on conservation.

Schedule of Events
•9:00am - 9:45am: Beginner Yoga
•10:00am - 10:45am: Animal Adaptations
•11:00am - 11:45am: Beginner Yoga
•11:00am - 12:30pm: Special Bird & Nature Adventures guided walk with David Wood
•12:00pm - 12:45pm: Beginner Yoga

This event is part of the Nature Everywhere initiative and regional Nature Everywhere Day, which expands in 2026 for a weekend of events exploring and participating in nature.

cityofmadison.com/parks/events/2026-06-07/gratitude-in-nature-habitat-restoration-animal-encounters-yoga

05/31/2026

Awesome!

A Northside opportunity for kids 9 and older.

05/29/2026

We’re part of this effort, along with the Mound Healers group (post below). Walkers on Woodland Trail in the park will notice the recent re-route around the panther and conical mounds to better protect them. The work was planned and funded through the DNR. Thank you!

May is Historic Preservation and Archaeology Month — a reminder that Wisconsin’s state parks, trails, forests, and recreation areas protect more than beautiful landscapes. They also safeguard sacred stories, cultural heritage, and history that stretches back thousands of years.

Across Wisconsin, Indigenous mounds — many over 1,000 years old — remain powerful reminders of the people and communities who shaped these lands long before us. From effigy mounds to ceremonial earthworks, these sites deserve care, respect, and preservation for generations to come.

Friends groups throughout the state play an important role in helping steward these spaces through advocacy, education, restoration efforts, and community engagement. Protecting history is part of protecting the land itself.

As you explore Wisconsin this season, take time to learn the deeper stories of the places around you. Every trail, bluff, and mound carries meaning.

05/27/2026

A great Friends volunteer group worked hard this morning, clearing non-native invasives in the Wakanda/Borchers Beach area of the Park.

We pulled tons of Dame’s Rocket and Garlic Mustard to make more room for the Jack-in-the pulpits!

Thanks Tom, Shelley, Lynne, Mark, Drew, Jay, and Anna!

Join us any Tuesday morning!

05/27/2026

An informative and productive day with the Mound Healers. Thank you Vic and Renee! Note the before and after closure of the original Woodland trail. Great work crew.

05/26/2026

Thanks for the reminder Drew! See you on Gov Nelson’s great trails!