Government Affairs

Madison, Wis., January 5, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin has announced the fiscal year 2021 signup deadline is February 5, 2021, for Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) and Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) applications. The 2018 Farm Bill has provided NRCS with technical and financial assistance to help private landowners, tribes, land trusts and other groups protect these valuable lands.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public input on Nonindustrial Private Forest Land (NIPF) related to technical and financial assistance available through conservation programs of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We want to ensure we continue program consistency across USDA agencies with how we are defining nonindustrial private forest lands,” said Angela Biggs, NRCS State Conservationist in Wisconsin.

Gov. Tony Evers today announced the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity has released “Rural Voices for Prosperity: A Report of the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Rural Prosperity,” which calls for coordinated measures across state government to meet the needs of Wisconsin’s rural communities.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the official wolf season will begin Nov. 6, 2021. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will delist gray wolves from the federal list of endangered species on Jan. 4, 2021, returning management authority to the lower 48 states and tribes. Under Wisconsin law, when the wolf is delisted, the state’s annual hunting and trapping seasons shall resume.

Wisconsinites have two upcoming opportunities to weigh in on deer hunting across the state. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host virtual public meetings in each county to discuss deer management Dec. 7-18 and a separate virtual public hearing Dec. 9 on the current white-tailed deer hunting season. Every three years, County Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) provide recommendations to the DNR that help determine the herd size objective (increase, decrease, maintain) for their county.

Open enrollment for the landscape pesticide registry is November 1 – February 1. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection offers a landscape pesticide registry, which allows Wisconsin residents to be notified 12 hours before commercial pesticide applications are applied to neighboring landscapes.

Emerald Ash Borer Detected in Dunn, Florence, Oconto, Pepin, Price, and Shawano Counties In partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has detected emerald ash borer (EAB) for the first time in the following counties: Dunn (town of Rock Creek), Oconto (town of Little Suamico), Pepin (towns of Lima and Waterville), and Shawano (city of Shawano).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 2, 2020 Contact: Kevin Wallenfang, DNR deer and elk ecologist Kevin.Wallenfang@wisconsin.gov or (608) 261-7589 Help Shape Deer Season For Your Community By Joining Your County’s Deer Advisory Council Application Deadline July 1   Apply for a seat on a County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) by July 1.

A deadly reminder when walking your dog in rural areas as the weather gets nicer… The WDNR and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are asking for the public’s help with a string of fatal animal poisonings in Forest, Marinette and Florence counties, even along the border with Upper Michigan.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 6, 2020 Contact: Larry Bonde, Wisconsin Conservation Congress Chair 608-235-5825 Kari Lee-Zimmermann, Wisconsin Conservation Congress/DNR Liaison 608-219-9134 or Kari.LeeZimmermann@Wisconsin.gov MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Conservation Congress received a record-setting 64,943 responses to the 2020 Spring Hearing Questionnaire featuring topics ranging from baiting and feeding deer to the use of non-toxic ammunition on state-owned land.