Wisconsin's Rustic Roads offer Scenic Vistas and Rolling Farm Land by Lakes Edition Staff Reading time: 10 minutes Last updated: 04/29/26

" O ur goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures," Wisconsin's "conservation governor" Gaylord Nelson said of Earth Day the worldwide event he had founded. On April 22, 1970 the first Earth Day was celebrated by over 20 million Americans. The event brought communities across the country together to support the environment. Today, Earth Day is celebrating its' 51st year and while the mission is the same the message is more clarion and dire than ever before. But in this media landscape of doom and gloom there are signs in Washington D.C. and small towns across the U.S. that people finally understand what Gaylord Nelson's Earth Day truly is. This single day event has brought communities across the globe together to think sustainably, plant trees, save rain forests, prairie and wetlands and foster meaningful legislative action from the world's largest economies to those countries less economically blessed in the global south facing the constant threat of climate change every day. The United Nations Climate Change Conference which will hold COPP 26 in Glasgow this November owes a great deal to Wisconsin's very own, the man from Clear Lake, Gaylord Nelson. In the age of the internet, Earth Day is not only a one day worldwide celebration but a dedicated website https://www.earthday.org/ that nurtures community connections and actions in a Social Media driven context.. The website is vast and somewhat daunting for a first time visitor. If you were fortunate enough to visit Earthday.org on Earth Day you were treated to a livestream of dignitaries and every day people speaking up for the environment and highlighting the actions their communities or organizations have taken to make this planet a healthier place for all of us to live. But the Earth Day website outside of April 22nd offers -downloadable toolkits and action plans that even a single individual can take on. There is the "Earth Challenge" which invites citizens around the globe to document point sources of pollution. The Great Global Cleanup (#GreatGlobalCleanup) encourages people to seek out groups in their community that are cleaning up trash around their neighborhoods and parks. Or you can pledge to make your next meal plant based. These are just a few Earth Day actions that you can do every day, whether your at home or on vacation use Earthday.org as your guide to live a greener, cleaner life and as U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelosn succinctly put it, "(create) an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures."

Five Offbeat Places to Hike, Snowshoe, and Cross-Country Ski in Southern Wisconsin this Winter

11 Great, Free Daytripping Attractions In Southern Wisconsin offer a safe way for building family traditions.

What To Bring On Your Wisconsin Road trip

LIght weight, and relatively inexpensive, teardrop campers offer affordable alternatives for camping in the great outdoors with the little comforts of home.

(Photo of Morovian Church in London, Wisconsin) No overcrowded sandy beaches, or raucous nightlife these unincorporated towns in Southern Wisconsin have much to offer for the ultimate, Spring break staycation. There are so many often overlooked villages in our region that are car-stop worthy. In no particular order, as Summer break is all about spontaneity and freewill here are a number of towns for consideration. London, Newark, and Rome are not just major, international airport hubs they are also destination worthy, towns in Southern Wisconsin. No passport required. N ewark The town of Newark for example, is the birth place of Dorr Eugene Felt (1862-1930.) If you have ever used a Comptometer then you know who to thank. The Comptometer is the world's first, mechanical calculator. According to the U.S. Patent Office Mr. Felt, though only attending high school for one year, produced over 25 foreign and 46 domestic patents. He also wrote and a number of publications, and papers related to labor relations in the U.S. Loyola University in Chicago is home to a number of his writings. Newark's most famous resident the Beckman Mill is worth a visit any time of year. Built in 1868, the mill continued to operate until the late 1950s. In 1977 the Beckman Mill was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The best thing about a stopover in Newark, you can break a sweat while learning about history, Beckman Mill County park offers 50 acres of wetlands, woods and a garden.

Forget the long lines, large crowds, high humidity and heat Second Summer is back and more beautiful than ever. These are the days in the 70s and lower 80s and crisp, clear nights to open the window to.

Pictured above is Devils' Lake State Park Another sign that normalcy has returned to the Summer vacationing season in Wisconsin, the DNR announces on June 1st a number of changes to its' operations across the state. As the number of daily cases of COVID-19 in the Badger State continues to decline and the number of vaccinated Wisconsinites rises DNR officials are now allowing indoor group camps, with both indoor and outdoor camps returning to their capacity of 350. State park properties and State Natural Areas (SNA) which were closed last summer and now open incliude: Gibraltor Rock, Pewitt's Nest, Dells on the Wisconsin River, and the popular Rock Island State Park. Also, in time for Summer all enclosed shelters are now open, as well as playgrounds and towers such as Lapham Peak State Park and Peninsula State Park. Open air shelters and amphitheaters can have maximum capacity or 350 people, as well o utdoor-only concession activities. However, visitor centers, office buildings, and nature centers remain closed until further notice. Some state park, drive-up windows may be open for admission purchases. If you are not sure where facilities are open or closed you can now visit DNR service centers Fitchburg, Green Bay, Madison and Spooner to purchase a state park sticker or fishing license. The DNR assures that it will continue to operate with safety in mind for all visitors and staff based on the Badger Bounce Back Plan COVID-19 precautions such as encouraging social distancing, and park capacities are still in place. The DNR recommends visitors enjoy parks at off-peak times or other properties less popular. State parks that are subject to capacity limits include: o Copper Falls o Devil's Lake o Governor Dodge o Governor Nelson o Harrington Beach o Hartman Creek o High Cliff o Interstate o Kinnickinnic o Kettle Moraine Southern Unit o Lapham Peak o Perrot o Rib Mountain o Roche-a-Cri o Whitefish Dunes o Willow River The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recommends you visit those natural areas listed above during non-peak hours before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. According to the DNR "The majority of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources properties are open, with special conditions to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect natural resources."