Politics Hit the Trail: What It Means for Devil’s Lake

Ice Age Trail Work Day at Roznos Meadow.

Federal budget decisions are now having direct consequences on the ground here in Wisconsin, including along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which covers about 16 miles of hiking trail within Devil’s Lake State Park.

Federal Funding Freeze Hits the Ice Age Trail

The Ice Age Trail Alliance, which builds, maintains, and protects this 1,200-mile trail across Wisconsin, receives about 10% of its annual budget from federal funding. That funding is currently frozen, and if it doesn’t resume, the impact could be felt quickly—especially when it comes to trail maintenance.

One of the biggest and most immediate concerns is safety and upkeep. Without those federal dollars, there may not be funds for chainsaw safety training, storm damage cleanup, or even basic tools and equipment that volunteers rely on. These efforts are essential to keeping hiking trails—especially popular ones through places like Devil’s Lake State Park—safe and accessible.

Damage to the landscape along the Ice Age Trail. Devil's Lake State Park.
Damage due to overuse and lack of maintenance along Devil’s Lake State Park’s East Bluff/IAT Trail.

Another Blow from the National Park Foundation

In addition to direct federal support, the National Park Foundation (NPF)—a key nonprofit partner of the National Park Service—is also affected by the freeze. While NPF relies mostly on private donations, a portion of its funding also comes from federal sources, which are now in limbo.

If that funding doesn’t come through, it could impact several important programs connected to the Ice Age Trail:

  • “Think Outside”, an outreach initiative that brings 10,000 fourth graders to the trail each year
  • A storytelling podcast project with the Ho-Chunk Nation, designed to highlight Indigenous connections to the land
  • Planning for the 2025 Ice Age Trail Crew season, which helps lay the groundwork for future trail construction and improvements

A Bigger Picture

It’s easy to tune out political headlines, but this is a reminder that decisions made in Washington have a real and tangible impact on our trails, parks, and communities.

This year, not only will groups like the Ice Age Trail Alliance be leaning harder on volunteers and private donors, but so will other public services. Across the country, programs like school lunches, library funding, and food assistance are also facing cuts or eliminations.

For example, the USDA recently canceled over $1 billion in funding for schools and food banks, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services—which supports public libraries nationwide—is now at risk of being eliminated.

What You Can Do

We know it can be overwhelming. There are more needs than ever and only so much time and support to go around. Our goal here is simply to keep you informed about how this is playing out in our part of Wisconsin, especially here in Sauk County and at Devil’s Lake State Park.

If the Ice Age Trail is a place you care about, now is a good time to stay informed and, if you’re able, lend your voice or your support.

👉 Learn more: https://www.iceagetrail.org/a-critical-moment-for-the-ice-age-trail

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. If you’re reading this on the day it was posted, and you’re a resident of Wisconsin, there’s something else pretty important you can do: Get to the polls and VOTE for a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice. One candidate is paid for by Elon Musk (famously not a Wisconsin resident) and has run his campaign on fully supporting the agenda of the current federal administration, where all these funding cuts have come from.

    The other candidate is Susan Crawford.

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