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News You Can Use
FREE FISHING WEEKEND
Another Free Fishing Weekend is coming Jan. 20-21! Always the third full weekend in January and June, it allows angling without a license on waters statewide (other regulations still apply). In January, Free Fishing Weekend is all about ice fishing, and numerous clinics around the state can help you get started. Learn more at dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2006.
MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL OPPORTUNITIES
Exciting new mountain bike trails are ready to explore at Willow River and Kinnickinnic state parks, thanks to the work of the Willow Kinni, or WIKI, Mountain Bike Club. About 27 miles of trails have been added in the past two years, including technical trails, drops, berms, downhills, challenging climbs and other features. The trails are open year-round and are a growing attraction at the parks, even providing practice areas for six local high school mountain bike teams.
The WIKI Mountain Bike Club, part of the Friends of Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks group, has raised funds and logged thousands of volunteer hours to create the trails and help expand mountain biking opportunities in Wisconsin; wikimountainbike.com. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required to enter the parks; no state trail pass is needed to ride the mountain bike trails. Learn more at dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks.
INTERNING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
For young people interested in a career with the DNR or other environmental work, an internship can be a great way to get started, with several opportunities to consider.
State of Wisconsin Student Diversity Internship Program: Explore a career at a state agency, including the DNR, in a variety of fields for this paid internship. Application period is generally mid-December to mid-February; dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1941.
Diversity in Conservation Internship: The DNR participates in this Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin program for students from UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and Lawrence University in Appleton. Interns receive a stipend to work on a specific project, learn about their host organization and attend a weekly seminar; dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1946.
STEAM Camp: On a related note, this past summer the DNR again partnered with the Urban League of Greater Madison and Strang Inc. for the annual STEAM Camp, encouraging middle school students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The Fitchburg office hosted about 40 students to learn about DNR careers and see presentations on raptor handling, native culture and history, invasive species, fish electroshocking for data gathering and more.
Like what you've read and want more? Now through Jan. 2, 2024 subscribe to the print version of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine and get 5 issues for $5 (normally $8.97 for four). Don't delay. Subscribe yourself or give a gift online today.
