As summer begins to come to a close and fall approaches, I'm sure a lot of Wisconsinites will be out enjoying the outdoors by camping, hiking, visiting our state parks, and other outdoor activities. This week, I want to highlight some of the wins regarding natural resources in this year's state budget.

I highly encourage everyone to go explore all of the wonderful state parks we have in Wisconsin. For a full list of parks and more resources to prepare for your visit, click here to go to the website of the Department of Natural Resources.

Fun Fact: 2025 is the 125th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Park system!

Wisconsin has one of the highest concentrations of inland lakes in the U.S, with more than 15,000 lakes. With 66 state parks, Wisconsin is home to about 1.5 million acres of public land. While hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling and camping are fun and a great way to see the beauty of Wisconsin, these activities also help our economy by generating billions annually.

This year, Assembly Republicans helped secure about $10 million for items related to natural resources, such as:

• $7.5 million for removal of contaminated sediments in Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and their tributaries.: This will keep our fresh waters clean and usable.
• $1 million for the development of an online trail map for ATV and UTV routes.: This app will help riders plan their trips in a safer and more organized way.
• $640,800 for boating safety and enforcement aids.: Helps keep our waterways safe and organized for everyone to use and enjoy.
• $728,900 for maintenance equipment for state parks: Helps ensure our parks stay well maintained so everyone visiting has the best experience possible.

Assembly Republicans will continue to support our great natural resources that make Wisconsin so beautiful!