News

Promulgation of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Interior Quarantine in Michigan

Jun 8, 2017

June 6, 2017              To: Stakeholders and Industries Associated with Hemlock The Michigan Department of  Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is implementing an interior state quarantine to protect Michigan’s native and cultivated hemlock populations from hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). HWA has not been found in Michigan until recently where it has been detected at multiple sites in four counties in western Michigan.

Bat disease takes its toll; Wisconsin sites see 30-100 percent decreases

May 15, 2017

Contact(s): Owen Boyle, 608-576-2446; Paul White, 608-267-0813 Call goes out to report surviving bats this summer MADISON — A bat disease that has raced across the eastern U.S. and Canada , killing upwards of 7 million bats, is following the same pattern in Wisconsin, winter hibernacula surveys show.

Zdanovecs Awarded 2017 Forest Conservationists of the Year by WI Wildlife Federation

May 11, 2017

2017 Forest Conservationists of the Year presented by WI Wildlife Federation to Jim & Marlene Zdanovec In 1985, dreams of eventually returning to their roots were realized when Jim and Marlene Zdanovec purchased 160 acres of land in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Wildlife was the main reason the Zdanovecs purchased the property.

Return of the Canadian Softwood Lumber Tariff

Apr 27, 2017

The Trump administration is slapping duties on billions of dollars of lumber imported from Canada, marking an escalation of trade tensions. The Commerce Department said that countervailing duties ranging from 3% to 24% would be applied retroactively on five Canadian lumber exporters. Overall the duties average about 20% and could amount to $1 billion. Additional penalties could be levied if Commerce determines Canadian lumber is being dumped into U.S. markets.

Wisconsin celebrates Forest Appreciation Week leading up to Arbor Day on April 28

Apr 26, 2017

Weekly News – April 25, 2017 – Wisconsin DNR MADISON – Celebrations across the state are taking place to celebrate Forest Appreciation Week, which is capped off by Arbor Day on Friday, April 28. Governor Scott Walker issued a proclamation recognizing Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day. Wisconsin has celebrated Arbor Day since 1883.

Going Paperless May Not Be Greener After All

Apr 24, 2017

02/23/2016   Source: Two Sides North America, 2016 “Go paperless, go green” is a common theme these days as many corporations and governments encourage their customers and employees to switch to electronic transactions or communications. But are appeals to help the environment by eliminating paper based on sound science or on marketing strategies aimed at cost cutting?

New native plant list helps landowners boost wildlife habitat

Apr 22, 2017

Weekly News – April 11, 2017 – Wisconsin DNR MADISON – Wisconsin landowners who want to boost wildlife habitat on their property — whether a city lot or hundreds of acres — have a new resource to help them choose native plants that can thrive where they live, benefit a wide variety of wildlife and promote water quality.

Landowners encouraged to look for and control garlic mustard

Apr 19, 2017

Weekly News – April 18, 2017 – Wisconsin DNR MADISON – Early spring is the best time to check gardens, yards and woodlands for garlic mustard and take measures to control this rapidly spreading invasive plant, state invasive plant experts say.

Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month: Help Keep Pests from Bugging Wisconsin

Apr 12, 2017

WI DATCP Contact: Donna Gilson, 608-224-5130, donna.gilson@wi.gov  or Bill Cosh, Communications Director, 608-224-5020, William2.Cosh@wi.gov MADISON – You’ve heard it before, and we hate to be pests, but now that cabin and camping season is starting, remember: Don’t move firewood.

Building bat houses now can aid bats that survive white-nose syndrome

Apr 10, 2017

Contact(s): Heather Kaarakka. DNR conservation biologist, 608-266-2576 MADISON – People can help bats that survive white-nose syndrome this winter by building a bat house where they can raise their young during summer months. “Bats surviving white-nose syndrome need all the help they can get to raise their young and help rebuild populations,” said Heather Kaarakka, a Department of Natural Resources conservation biologist who works with Wisconsin’s bat populations for the Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau.