Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks for becoming a member! A paper copy of our Field Trip Guidebook will be mailed to current members mid-March. Note: it can take up to 7 days for you to receive it after your online donation. You can now view the entire guidebook online.

You can also use our new Online Field Trip Finder Map! Search an interactive map of Wisconsin and select by topic, physical demand rating, family friendliness, date range or keyword. It is a perfect way to find your best-fit trips!

If you registered online for Field Trips with us since 2018, there are two separate password/codes you will need to register online:

1) Active.com login password= This is entered in the beginning of your registration. This is the password you created with our Field Trip registration platform, Active.com, when you registered for trips previously.
     Forgot your password? Go here prior to April 8 and follow the steps to reset your password

2) Member Access Code= Enter this later on in the check-out process. This code is printed in the green box on the back of your guidebook and was in your membership confirmation email. Use the same Member Access Code for everyone in your party.

The Active.com password is entered at the start of your online registration, Member Access Code is entered later in check-out.

Never registered for our Field Trips? You will NOT need an Active.com password. You will create a password at the end of your first Field Trip registration this year. Note: there is no pre-making an account, and there is no benefit to having an account prior to registration. Just sit tight and wait till you register!

Don’t remember your password? You can click on “forgot my password” during your online registration, though it can take up to 5-10 minutes, which can seem long and stressful on the opening day!

It is recommended that you reset your password before Field Trip registration on April 8.

Steps to reset your Active.com password:

1. Click on this link to go to Active login.
2. Click on Forgot my password in the bottom right corner of the pop-up box
3. Enter your email address and click on the orange button Send password link
4. In about 5-10 minutes you will receive an email to reset your password.  (Note, check spam/junk folder)
5. Change your password, then close the window or logout

IMPORTANT: Do not go back to Active.com to register for Field Trips—instead use the registration link posted on our website or in our emails.

New to NRF Field Trips? Don’t do anything before registering. You’ll make an account with Active as you register for your trips.

If you have never registered for NRF Field Trips, the ONLY thing you will need is the Member Access Code located in the green box on the back of your guidebook or in your membership confirmation email.

Use your Member Access Code for everyone in your party.

Note: We use Active.com for our registration platform, and you will create a password for Active.com at the end of your first online registration. Remember this password, as you will need it for future registrations for Field Trips. There is no pre-making an account, and there is no benefit to having an account prior to registration… we promise, the best thing is to just sit tight and wait till you register!

We suggest a $50 annual donation for a family or household. An annual donation of $35 also qualifies you to register yourself and family (including grandchildren) to attend trips together.

Your NRF membership supports our mission to care for Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife, and keeps our Field Trip Program running strong!

Yes! In an effort to make Field Trips affordable for all, NRF is piloting a financial assistance program for registration fees. Funds are limited. Please apply prior to April 1.

Your membership of $35+ covers registration for your immediate family (including grandchildren) and guests outside of your immediate family. We hope our Field Trips will inspire your guests to become members and support our mission to protect Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife.

If you register a guest, please include all of THEIR contact information during Field Trip registration (especially phone and email).

As usual, please do not register a group, club or troop. The spirit of the program is for families to register and attend together.

Yes, you may register a grandchild to accompany you on the Field Trip. We welcome young people to attend the field trips within the appropriate ages posted. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult on every trip they attend.

The online registration site will ask “Are you the parent?” and just click “yes” even if you are not the parent. We are happy to have you bring your grandchildren along, and cannot disable that question from our registration page.

There is a limit of 4 trips per person between April 8-13. If someone else registers you for a trip, that counts towards your limit. Starting April 14, you can register for unlimited trips as space allows.

Waiting list trips do not count toward your initial 4-trip limit.

Please only register for 1 paddle trip prior to April 14.

No, waiting list trips do not count toward your limit of 4 trips per person.

The 4-trip limit is only between April 8-13. Starting April 14th you may register for as many Field Trips as you wish.

Active password: If you registered online with us in 2018-2024, you created your own password for Active (our online registration platform). You will be asked to enter your Active password at the start of the registration process

Member Access Code: this code is in the green box on the back of your Field Trip Guidebook and is entered later in the check-out process. Use the same Member Access-Code for everyone in your party.

New to NRF Field Trips? Don’t do anything before registering. You’ll make an account with Active as you register for your 2025 Field Trips.

Unfortunately, trip fees are not refundable if you cancel your reservation.

To cancel a trip, please email FieldTrips@WisConservation.org or call the Field Trip phone line: 608-409-3123. Leave a message with the trip number, trip title, and names of the people in your party who are canceling.

Trip titles in the Field Trip Guidebook are color coded with a physical demand rating to help you decide whether the activity level matches your abilities. We also include detailed trail descriptions in our guidebook for every trip. Visit our accessibility page for more information and a list of trips that are wheelchair accessible.

Use our new Trip Finder Map Tool! Simply select the physical demand rating that works best for you and the interactive map of Wisconsin will show you just those trips. Search by topic too!

It is always a good idea to put your name on the waiting list! We often have registrants cancel, and will call or email you if space becomes available for you (and your guests) to attend a trip.

When signing the roster at the start of your Field Trip, you agree to the terms of our liability waiver.

Unfortunately, your magazine subscription or Conservation Patron’s license does not include a membership to NRF. We are a separate non-profit and not a part of the DNR. You will need to become a member of NRF to register for Field Trips.

Our Field Trips are often led by volunteers with busy work schedules who only have time to lead one trip per year. If the trip leader is able to add on another session, we will first invite people from the waiting list before opening up the spaces to new registrants.

Yes, there are a few trips where a portion of the fees are tax deductible. If you attended an eligible trip, we will send an email in early December to use as a receipt for your tax filing.

Note: most Field Trip registration fees are not tax deductible.

We do our best to keep our fees to a minimum, while offering a great value for your money. Your fees cover the online registration software, printing and mailing of the Field Trip Guidebook, program staff and other administrative costs. Some trips have higher costs that cover bus or boat rentals, or are fundraisers for important ecological programs, properties, or research.

We request Field Trip ideas in October/November for the coming year. Let us know if you are interested in learning more. Email FieldTrips@Wisconservation.org