Bong Naturalist Association (BNA) is so pleased that you are here!
We are the Friend’s Group that supports Richard Bong State Recreation Area (RBSRA.) We offer a variety of programs for visitors of all ages and help to fund park improvements for all to enjoy. Please scroll down to see BNA News and be sure to click on the Calendar of Events tab for upcoming events at RBSRA! Just a reminder that a Wisconsin State Park vehicle admission sticker or a daily entrance fee is required to enter the park
BNA News:
2023 Wolf Lake Trail Run Info
Master Naturalist Volunteer Training at Bong – Registration Now Open:
BNA is proud to once again be a host site/training center for the Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Program! The program is under the authority of the UW Extension System and training will be held at RBSRA. Classes will be held on each Monday and Tuesday plus one Thursday, beginning July 10th and ending July 27th (“Graduation Day”.) Presenters are top tier and experts in their respective fields. The course involves 40 hours of training in natural history, interpretation and conservation stewardship.
Classes will be held on each Monday and Tuesday plus one Thursday, beginning July 10th and ending July 27th (“Graduation Day”.) Presenters are top tier and experts in their respective fields. The course involves 40 hours of training in natural history, interpretation and conservation stewardship.
Once trained, a Wisconsin Master Naturalist provides volunteer service in one of three areas: education/interpretation, stewardship, or citizen science. To maintain certification, volunteers must complete 40 hours of service each year and eight hours of additional training.
For more information about the Master Naturalist program, please visit www.wimasternaturalist.org
Go to https://wimasternaturalist.org/trainings/volunteer-training/ to register for this course. Look for the program offered by the Bong Naturalist Association. Register is now open. If you are unable to register online then please contact: [email protected].
For other questions, contact us at [email protected]
Sunrise Campground – Opens Friday, March 24th:
You know that Spring is on the way when RBSRA’s Sunrise Campground opens! Our park staff as well as our dedicated camp hosts and volunteers have been busy getting Sunrise ready for the start of the camping season.
Showers will be open (weather permitting.) The park dump station is expected to open on Friday, April 7th (also weather permitting!) Firewood is sold year-round at the Molinaro Visitor Center/Headquarters parking lot through a firewood vending machine which is open 24/7. You can pay with any major credit card or debit card, but sorry, not by cash.
For RBSRA camping rules, maps of Sunrise Campground and Sunset Campground (opening on Saturday, May 25th) and additional information on our accessible cabin for people with disabilities, please click on the following link: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/richardbong/recreation/camping
All sites must be reserved via the DNR Camping Reservations system at: https://wisconsin.goingtocamp.com/
Stop by the Visitor Center on Saturdays at 2:00 pm for our Live Snake Encounter! Watch as our education fax snake, Mickey, is fed a mouse. You may even get a chance to touch/hold our education snakes.
Other events are listed on this website, our Bong Naturalist Association FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/bongnaturalistassociation/ and on the DNR/RBSRA calendar at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/events?location=Richard%20Bong%20State%20Recreation%20Area
Land Acquisition Completed:
BNA wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to those who donated toward the purchase of 132 acres of land located on the SE corner of the Park. Without your help, it would not have been possible.
Our work isn’t finished, we still need your support. BNA will continue its fundraising efforts, but now these funds will go toward environmental projects such as wetlands restoration, remediation, and also accessibility projects such as signage, trail improvements, parking, etc. If you would like to donate, you can do so by clicking on this PayPal link https://www.paypal.com/instantcomm…/checkout/4EMB8AMN8UVXN You don’t need a PayPal account to donate, you can use any major credit card or your debit card. If you prefer sending a check, please send it to Bong Naturalist Association, 26313 Burlington Rd, Kansasville, WI 53139. If you wish to donate in another way, just send an email to [email protected].
Thank you so much!
Friends of Bong are the BEST!
Dan