The Office Embarks on Strategic Planning
Outdoor recreation in Wisconsin is a $9.8 billion industry, contributing to the state's economy, attracting visitors, workforce and businesses while providing quality-of-life amenities to residents. In July 2019, the Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation was created to uplift this important sector of the state's economy. As we look ahead to the next five years, we are embarking on a mission to draft an Expedition Guidebook, our vision and strategic plan for the Office to keep driving our outdoor recreation economy forward.
Help us arrive at a collective vision for Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry and determine impactful ways the Office can support the outdoor industry.
Your input is a vital component of developing the Expedition Guidebook! We encourage stakeholders in the outdoor recreation industry to participate, including retailers, manufacturers, guides/outfitters, destination marketing organizations, recreation-focused user groups, land managers, health care workers, land use and economic planners and other community leaders who make recreation decisions.
The strategic planning process offers two ways to contribute:
1. Complete the Stakeholder Input Survey
2. Attend an in-person forum
We encourage the outdoor recreation industry to participate in both a forum and the survey.
Take a Stakeholder Input Survey
Help guide our work to better serve you and strengthen Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry. Your input is essential to understanding the best support mechanisms the Office can provide. Your insights will help the Office gauge the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in the outdoor recreation industry, where together we can make the most meaningful impact through our work. It should be noted that this is not a recreation-user-focused survey about participation in outdoor activities.
Please complete the online survey by July 21, 2024. Participants may only take the survey once. The survey takes 10 – 15 minutes.
Attend a Wayfinding Forum
Join the Office for an interactive session to share your input and insights. Forums will include full group and breakout group activities. Following each onsite forum, stay for an optional outdoor activity for more networking and learning opportunities. Hear from business and community leaders about their work in the outdoor industry while learning about a local outdoor attraction or program.
Forums will be hosted in six locations with one virtual forum also scheduled. It is only necessary to participate in one forum. Details are listed below.
Please RSVP by July 2 to indicate the session you're planning to attend. A reminder with additional details will be sent to registered participants one week in advance.
All forums will be held indoors. Refreshments will be provided at all forums.
Optional activities are free to attend. Please take note of which activities are outside. Please contact us if you will need accessibility accommodations for the forum and/ or the optional networking activity.
Tuesday, July 9: Green Bay
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, University Union
2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311
Free parking is available on campus. View the parking map here.
Optional activity: Guided tour of the Shorewood Center and campus outdoor recreation redevelopment projects with the University Recreational Outdoor Adventure Center. This tour will be mostly outside and will be held rain or shine.
Wednesday, July 10: Minocqua
1 – 3 p.m.
The Waters of Minocqua
8116 US Route 51
Minocqua, WI 54548
Parking is available at the hotel.
Optional activity: Explore the Bearskin State Trail with DNR Park Superintendent Sara Pearson and other outdoor recreation leaders in Minocqua. The Bearskin State Trail is compacted granite on relatively flat terrain. Participants will need to drive to the Bearskin Minocqua Trailhead Park, 126 Front Street, Minocqua. This tour will be outside and will be held rain or shine.
Thursday, July 11: Eau Claire
9 – 11 a.m.
The Lakely at the Oxbow Hotel
516 Galloway Street
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Free parking is available at the hotel.
Optional activity: Walking tour on pavement through the Eau Claire Sculpture Tour with Visit Eau Claire's Julie Pangallo. Along the way, meet local outdoor recreation entrepreneurs and leaders including Kate Felton (Eau Claire Outdoors), Erik Keisler (Bear Creek Reserve and Rural Partners Network) and Nick Meyer (Volume One, The Local Store and CORBA). This tour will be outside and will be held rain or shine.
Thursday, July 11: Hayward
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
American Birkebeiner Foundation
Highway OO Trailhead- Samuel C. Johnson Family Outdoor Center
13076-, 13088 W County Hwy OO
Hayward, WI 54843
Parking is available onsite for free.
Optional activity: Tour the new American Birkebeiner Foundation Mt. Telemark Lodge with staff from the American Birkebeiner Foundation. This tour will be mostly inside but may include some walking on outdoor natural surface trails. Please wear close-toed shoes. Participants will need to drive about 15 minutes from the meeting space to the Lodge.
Monday, July 15: Milwaukee
9 – 11 a.m.
Havenwoods State Forest
6141 N. Hopkins St.
Milwaukee, WI 53209
Parking is available onsite for free. A state parks and forest vehicle admission sticker is not required at this property.
Optional activity: Tour the Havenwoods trails with Park Supervisor Angela Vickio. Trails may include natural surface, limestone surface and boardwalk. This tour will be outside and will be held rain or shine.
Tuesday, July 16: Wisconsin Dells
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
N194 County Rd N
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Free parking is available onsite. Please enter through the stone gate.
Optional activity: Guided hike and tour of the Learning Center with program staff. This tour will be outside and will be held rain or shine.
Wednesday, July 17
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Virtual
Register for the virtual forum.
The Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation's Expedition Guidebook will be released in early fall. It will guide the work of the Office over the next five years.