Join the Wayfarers!

We are the young adults of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Join us as we paddle, hike, bike, learn about, and explore our state’s amazing natural wonders.

Wayfarers connects young adults to outdoorsy, educational, and adventurous outings in Wisconsin, with the goal of fostering the next generation of conservation stewards. The group also provides a peer network to connect with others who care about Wisconsin’s outdoors through happy hours and socials, and to give back to Wisconsin through volunteering and philanthropy.

Our outings and events are led by some of the most knowledgeable scientists, ecologists, and naturalists in Wisconsin who generously share their favorite places and knowledge of Wisconsin’s outdoors. Wayfarers events are geared towards 20- and 30-somethings, but everyone is welcome!

Become a member

We’d love for you to become a member of NRF and gain access to 270+ adventures every year through the Field Trip program. We consider a gift of $10 or more as a membership, so you can donate as much as you are able. Become a member today!

Upcoming Events

Wild Wisconsin Trivia Night

When: Monday, January 26th from 6-8pm (day of team registration begins at 5:30pm.)

Where: Delta Beer Lab (167 E Badger Rd, Fitchburg, WI)

Cost: $20 pay in per team competing

We invite you and your friends to form a team and join the Wayfarers for a nature-themed trivia night at Delta Beer Lab!

This event is a pay-to-play fundraiser for NRF’s Wisconsin Wayfarers group. All trivia questions will be themed around Wisconsin’s wilderness and the natural wonders of our state. There will be prizes for the first AND last place team! To keep the teams fair, we ask that you please cap your team at 6 people or less.

RSVP: Pre-register your team here!

Photo by Caitlin Williamson

2025 Wayfarers Events

SOLD OUT: Winter Solstice Wreathmaking Workshop

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When: Saturday, December 20th from 12 to 3pm

Where: Black Earth (4858 WI-78, Black Earth, WI)

Cost: $15 to support conservation in Wisconsin

Celebrate the winter solstice with fellow Wayfarers at a tree farm in Black Earth.

Activities will include a short conservation walk on the beautiful hilltop property, wreathmaking, and a bonfire. This is a kid-friendly event.

Photo by Emma Schatz

Nerd Nite Takeover

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When: Wednesday, November 19th (doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm)

Where: High Noon Saloon – Madison, WI

Cost: Free!

Join us for a Wayfarers takeover of High Noon Saloon’s November Nerd Nite!

Nerd Nite is a monthly, informal gathering hosted by High Noon Saloon. For their November event, we’ve invited some of our favorite conservation partners to take over and present about Wisconsin’s ecological superstars.

We invite all nerds and non-nerds alike to meet, drink, and learn something new. Entry is free and open to all!

Photo courtesy of High Noon Saloon

Ice Age Trail Hike & Lunch

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When: Saturday, October 25th from 10:30am to 1pm

Where: Dunes Segment, Ice Age Trail

Cost: Free!

In the spirit of the Mammoth Hikes Challenge organized by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, we’re hosting an October hike along the Dunes Segment of the Ice Age Trail in the height of Wisconsin’s autumn foliage.

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features a surprising mix of natural sights: boardwalks through forested wetlands, deep old growth cedar forests, open prairies, and dense hardwood forest. This is a 3.8-mile loop out and back, estimated 1 hour to complete. Followed by an optional lunch meetup at Cool City Brewing Company.

Parking information: The Dunes Segment connects to the Aurora Medical Center complex and is easily accessible from there. Please park at the Medical Center at 5000 Memorial Drive, Two Rivers, WI – 54241

Lunch information: Lunch after the hike at Cool City Brewing Company. 1718 W Park St, Two Rivers, WI 54241

RSVP: Sign up here to let us know you’ll be joining us!

Photo by Melanie R. M.

Ice Age Trail Hike & Lunch

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When: Sunday, October 19th from 10am to 1:30pm

Where: Cross Plains Segment, Ice Age Trail

Cost: Free!

In the spirit of the Mammoth Hikes Challenge organized by the Ice Age Trail Alliance, we’re hosting an October hike along the Cross Plains Segment of the Ice Age Trail in the height of Wisconsin’s autumn foliage.

Situated in a valley between two bluffs, this segment of the Ice Age Trail features a surprising mix of natural sights winding through former agricultural fields, woodland forest, and oak savanna. This is a 3.6-mile loop out at back, estimated 1.5-2 hours to complete. Followed by an optional group lunch at Vintage Brewing Co.

Parking information: The Cross Plains Segment connects to the Ice Age Trail Alliance Headquarters. Please park there at 2110 Main St. Cross Plains, WI – 53528

Lunch Information: Lunch after the hike at Vintage Brewing Co. 1200 Main St. Cross Plains, WI – 53528 

RSVP: Sign up here to let us know you’ll be joining us!

Photo by Joshua Mayer

Bluff Creek Prairie Seed Collecting

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When: Sunday, September 7th from 9am to 12pm

Where: Bluff Creek State Natural Area, Kettle Moraine Forest-Southern Unit

Cost: Free!

Bluff Creek State Natural Area is a large, quality mesic to wet prairie with lots of rare plants and a clear trout stream which is rare for southeast Wisconsin. We will wander through this great site along with knowledgeable volunteers and fill our bags with native plant seeds in the process. These seeds will help projects nearby to restore former ag fields. Be prepared for off trail hiking by wearing long pants and sturdy hiking boots.

There will be a 15 min walk to get in and out of the site.

Parking information: Please park at the Hickory Woods Group Campground

RSVP: Sign up here to let us know you’ll be joining us!

Photo by Joshua Mayer

Hank Aaron State Trail 5K Run/Walk

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When: Saturday, August 9th at 8am

Where: American Family Field Uecker Lot, 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI US 53214

Cost: $30 w/t-shirt, $25 w/o t-shirt

Join the Wayfarers team for this 5K fundraiser right in the heart of Milwaukee. The course winds through Three Bridges Park, restored prairie, and Milwaukee’s former rail and industrial corridor.

RSVP instructions to join the NRF Wisconsin Wayfarers 5K team:

1. Visit the race site at https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Milwaukee/HankAaronStateTrail5K
2. Select “TEAM RUN/WALK” signup.
3. Enter all of your information and choose “Team Run/Walk” at the bottom. You can select from the drop-down box if you’d like to run (timed) or walk (untimed).
4. You’ll have to agree to the waiver on the next page.
5. Next, you’ll be prompted to select the team you’d like to join from the drop down and you should select “NRF WISCONSIN WAYFARERS“
6. Finally, you’ll be guided to the payment page where you’ll be able to select a t-shirt size (or opt out of the t-shirt), you’ll be asked if you’d like to donate or become a member for the Hank Aaron State Trail and then you’ll finalize your registration.

Photo by Dave Reid

New Moon Glow Float

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When: Sunday, July 27th from 7 to 9 p.m.

Where: Meet at the Outdoor UW Office at Memorial Union to paddle out to Picnic Point and back together.

Paddle Lake Mendota with fellow Wayfarers under the new moon!

Join the Wayfarers in collaboration with Outdoor UW for a unique paddling experience. Explore Lake Mendota on a (nearly) new moon evening in July using single and tandem kayaks. Outdoor UW paddling guides will lead us over to Picnic Point to enjoy the evening with new and old friends alike.

Cost: $35, kayaks (single or tandem) provided by Outdoor UW

RSVP: Register here by July 20th.

Photo by Lisa Charron

Careers of Wisconsin DNR: Law Enforcement, Forestry, & Wildlife Biology

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When: Thursday, June 26th from 5:30 to 7:30pm

Where: Fitchburg, Wisconsin

Looking to learn more about a career with the WI DNR? This NRF Field Trip is for you!

Field Trip #141: Careers of WI DNR will give you the opportunity to meet the people that protect and manage your public lands. You’ll hear from a Wisconsin DNR conservation warden, wildlife biologist, and forestry program supervisor regarding their careers in the natural resource field.

Discover topics such as game species management, forest health, and the unique law enforcement roles of conservation wardens. This is a great way to learn more about these critical functions and perhaps find a career path for yourself!

RSVP: Register today at https://charity.pledgeit.org/NRF-141-CareersofWIDNR

Cost: Free!

Photo by Caitlin Williamson

Overnight Camping Trip

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When: Friday, June 20th at 4pm to Sunday, June 22nd at 11am

Where: West Forks Sports Club, Viroqua

Come hang out at the West Fork Sports Club in Viroqua, WI settled in the beautiful Driftless Area with the West Fork Kickapoo River running through it. Hiking (Wildcat Mountain State Park close by), birding, fishing, and/or tubing/kayak rentals on the Kickapoo River are all possible activities to enjoy during the day followed by a campfire and star gazing at night. Viroqua is also a nice place to visit some coffee shops/shopping.

No camping gear? No problem! We have some extra equipment and can also connect you with local rentals – reach out to Naomi, NRF’s Wayfarers coordinator, at naomi.hadley@wisconservation.org to discuss the best option for you. It’s the perfect group camping weekend for both people new to camping and seasoned pros.

RSVP: Limited to 20 spots and RSVPs are due by June 13th, so register early!

Cost: $15 covers campsite reservation, snacks, grilling equipment, and firewood.

Photo by Emma Schatz

Millennial Falcons Birdathon Outing

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When: Sunday, May 18th from 7:30am to 4pm (Join for any or all parts of the day!)

Where: Surrounding Milwaukee, WI

The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is back and our Wayfarers team, the Millennial Falcons, is returning for its ninth year! Join us on Sunday, May 18th for a fun-filled day of birding for a good cause! Our goal is to find some of our favorite birds, get outside to some amazing areas surrounding Milwaukee, and raise $1,234 to protect the birds of the galaxy!

Where are we heading? Here’s a rough plan of our day – meet up with us for any or all of it!

7:30am to 11am – Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve (511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024)
11am to 1pm – Lunch – Water Street Brewery (1251 Gateway Dr, Grafton, WI 53024)
1pm to 1:45pm – Drive to Vernon Marsh
2pm to 4pm – Vernon Marsh (S67W26523 Benson Ave, Waukesha, WI 53189 – Google Maps Location is Vernon Wildlife Refuge Additional Parking)

RSVP via this Google Form by May 14th if you’d like to bird with us, explore some beautiful Wisco destinations, and enjoy bird fun with friends! Join for as much as you like — the morning, the afternoon, or the whole day’s events. No birding experience needed! We’ll have some extra binoculars to share. Carpooling options will be coordinated for those interested (no guarantees that we can set you up with a carpool, but we will try). More specific details will be sent closer to the outing.

Donate: Support the Millennial Falcons Birdathon Team – our goal is to raise $1,234 to protect the birds of the galaxy! Donations of any amount are appreciated, and support the highest priority conservation needs for Wisconsin’s birds!

Photo by Hillary Thompson

Earth Day Volunteer Cleanup in Madison

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When: Saturday, April 26th from 10am to 12pm

Where: South Entrance of Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green, Madison, WI 53704

Wayfarers in the Madison area, let’s meet up at Sustain Dane‘s annual Earth Month cleanup event! Sustain Dane will provide gloves, trash bags, and hand sanitizer. Ian’s is generously offering a free pizza slice and Delta Beer Lab will provide free pint cards for your hard work!

RSVP on Eventbrite

Photo by Emma Schatz

Earth Day Volunteer Cleanup in Milwaukee

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When: Saturday, April 26th from 9am to 12pm

Where: Menomonee Valley Community Park, 212 S 36th St, Milwaukee, WI 53215 (the “West End of the Valley” site)

Wayfarers in the Milwaukee area, let’s team up to help achieve swimmable, fishable rivers with the 30th annual Milwaukee Riverkeeper Spring Cleanup. Make sure you dress to get messy!

RSVP to our Wayfarers coordinator, Naomi Hadley, so we know you’re coming!

Photo by Emma Schatz

Nature Game Night

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When: Tuesday, February 4th, 5pm to 7pm

Where: Delta Beer Lab

Cost: Suggested $10 donation to play

Back by popular demand, the Wayfarers are hosting another Nature Game Night as our first fundraising event of the year.

Delta Beer Lab is welcoming us for a WILD night of nature-themed board games, valentines themed festivities, and a portion of all proceeds going to the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

Nature themed board games will be provided, and this event is open to the public, so you are encouraged to invite your friends & family!

Photo by Caitlin Williamson

In addition to our scheduled trips, we host happy hours and pop-up adventures. Sign up for our email list using the form below, and join our Facebook group to stay informed of the latest events.