News
In the links below, we’re excited to share articles, interviews, and press releases about our work. If you are a member of the media, please reach out to our communications director.
Shelly Torkelson
Director of Communications
(608) 409-3113
Shelly.Torkelson@WisConservation.org
Shelly Torkelson (she/her) oversees the Foundation's strategic communications, public relations, and marketing. She tells our stories of positive impact on the land, broadens awareness of our programs, and creates connections with key audiences.
Press Releases
SURVIVAL OF THE FATTEST
[May 5, 2026] Wisconsin Fat Bird Week is back! From May 8 to May 15, the public can vote daily for their favorite “chonky” birds. This popular online contest, hosted by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and SOS Save Our Songbirds, celebrates Wisconsin’s native birds and spreads awareness about how the public can help them stay fat and healthy.
15TH ANNUAL GREAT WISCONSIN BIRDATHON STARTS APRIL 15
[April 9, 2026] The largest bird conservation fundraiser in the state returns for its 15th year, running from April 15 through June 15. The 2026 Bird of the Year is the trumpeter swan, in honor of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s 40th anniversary.
2026 NRF FIELD TRIP SEASON
[March 25, 2026] The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is offering 280 nature experiences across the state in celebration of their 40th anniversary in 2026.
2025 PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
[February 16, 2026] The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin has selected the best nature photos taken in Wisconsin for 2025, including a dragonfly festooned by dewdrops and a sneaky ermine in the snow.
MARCY WEST HIRED AS LANDSCAPE INITIATIVES ADVISOR
[December 9, 2025] The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin has hired Marcy West.
CHERISH WISCONSIN OUTDOORS FUND ANNOUNCES 2025 PROJECTS
[November 10, 2025] The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are pleased to announce that over $100,000 from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund will be supporting six habitat projects on public lands this year.
CHERISH WISCONSIN OUTDOORS FUND HITS $3 MILLION
[September 22, 2025] The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund has hit a new milestone: $3 million – an exciting win to celebrate for National Public Lands Day on 9/27. This endowment provides a permanent source of funding for habitat improvement and ecological restoration across lands owned or managed by the state, and more funds are needed.
MIGHTY MIGRATION WEBINAR SERIES
[August 12, 2025] The epic flights and mindboggling biology of hummingbirds, chimney swifts and monarch butterflies are spotlighted in a free online series hosted by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, SOS Save Our Songbirds, and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin Aug. 18-20.
Headlines
May 24, 2026: Feathered feature: Birdathon, the Flockadelics (HNG News)
May 19, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week crowns a winner (The Outdoor Wire)
May 18, 2026: Winner of Fat Bird Week contest named (WKOW)
May 18, 2026: Jiggly Junco takes the crown for Wisconsin’s Fat Bird Week (15WMTV)
May 18, 2026: Jiggly Junco takes victory in Wisconsin Fat Bird Week (Channel 3000)
May 18, 2026: Wisconsin’s fattest bird crowned as ‘Jiggly Junco’ wins statewide competition (WAOW)
May 18, 2026: Jiggly Junco voted as winner of Fat Bird Week competition (WXOW)
May 14, 2026: Wisconsin summer Field Trips (103.3 The North)
May 12, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week contest returns (Monroe Times)
May 12, 2026: Martin’s Woods State Natural Area Field Trip (A Wealth of Nature)
May 11, 2026: Fat Bird Week is underway (Fox 9 Minneapolis)
May 11, 2026: Wisconsin’s Fat Bird Week is here, and the contestants are chunky (WUWM Lake Effect)
May 11, 2026: Get ready for Fat Bird Week (TMJ4 Milwaukee)
May 8, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week voting starts Friday (WBAY Green Bay)
May 8, 2026: Which bird is Wisconsin’s chunkiest? (WDIO Duluth)
May 8, 2026: Voting now open for Fat Bird Week (Fox 6 Milwaukee)
May 8, 2026: It’s Fat Bird Week in WI; vote for chubbiest chirper (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
May 7, 2026: Bird migration nearing its peak (Door County Pulse)
May 7, 2026: Natural Resources Foundation encourages exploration (WXPR)
May 6, 2026: Fat Bird Week returns, here’s how to take part (Kare11)
May 6, 2026: How to vote for your favorite fluffy feathered friend (WAOW)
May 6, 2026: Fat Bird Week begins in Wisconsin (Fox 9 Minneapolis)
May 6, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week returns (Outdoor Wire)
May 5, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week returns Friday May 8 (WXOW)
May 5, 2026: Wisconsin Fat Bird Week returns Friday (Channel 3000)
April 23, 2026: The Birdathon is on (Door County Pulse)
April 22, 2026: Registration open for NRF Field Trips (Fox6 Milwaukee)
April 20, 2026: Learning to see the world through ‘mushroom eyes’ (Madison Magazine)
April 17, 2026: Help birds during spring migration (Wisconsin DNR)
April 17, 2026: Great WI Birdathon is off to a flying start (Outdoors Radio)
April 15, 2026: Great Wisconsin Birdathon begins today (WSAW)
April 15, 2026: Great Wisconsin Birdathon returns (WJJQ)
April 14, 2026: The globally important Southern Kettles (A Wealth of Nature)
April 12, 2026: Great Wisconsin Birdathon begins April 15 (WSAW)
April 12, 2026: 15th Annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon returns Wednesday (Channel 3000)
April 10, 2026: The 15th annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon returns April 15th (Outdoor Wire)
April 9, 2026: Great Wisconsin Birdathon returns to raise funds for conservation efforts (WKOW)
April 8, 2026: Field Trip registration opens (Antigo Daily Journal)
April 7, 2026: Field Trip registration opens April 8 at noon (Outdoor Wire)
April 7, 2026: 280 Outdoor adventures for the 2026 field trip season announced (Washington County Daily)
April 7, 2026: Ozaukee adventures included in new statewide catalog (Ozaukee County News Graphic)
April 6, 2026: Grant received for nature-themed books, activities (Tomahawk Leader)
April 2, 2026: 280 Ways to Explore Wisconsin (Door County Pulse)
April 1, 2026: Natural Resources Foundation celebrates 40 years (WPR Larry Meiller Show)
March 31, 2026: Take a Field Trip with NRF (Wisconsin DNR)
March 27, 2026: 2026 Field Trips season with NRF (Outdoors Radio at 32:30)
March 26, 2026: 280 Ways to explore Wisconsin (The Outdoor Wire)
March 15, 2026: Field Trips help fuel NRF success in Wisconsin (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
March 6, 2026: Donate to Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund for fishing season (Outdoors Radio at 35:00)
March 4, 2026: Photography and Conservation (103.3 The North)
February 24, 2026: NRF 2025 Photo Contest winners (A Wealth of Nature)
February 14, 2026: Best Wisconsin nature photos announced (The Outdoor Wire)
January 26, 2026: NRF named one of Madison Magazine’s Best Places to Work (Madison Magazine)
Our Impact
Current Projects
Through our grantmaking programs, we support hundreds of organizations across Wisconsin, funding projects from statewide wildlife monitoring programs to creating butterfly gardens at local schools.
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Shelly Torkelson
Director of Communications
(608) 409-3113
Shelly.Torkelson@WisConservation.org
Shelly Torkelson (she/her) oversees the Foundation's strategic communications, public relations, and marketing. She tells our stories of positive impact on the land, broadens awareness of our programs, and creates connections with key audiences.
Banner photo by Lindsey Taylor