News

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will be setting more than 10,000 traps for spongy moth (formerly known as gypsy moth) in 47 counties from mid-May through early June. DATCP requests that property owners allow trappers access to place traps and not disturb the traps once in place.

Emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive insect from Asia that was first introduced into the United States in 2002. The Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been found in 64 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.  Since its discovery, EAB has caused the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees. Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is using ash trees against the pest to help preserve and protect the tree species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on March 22, 2022, a proposal to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The bat, currently listed as threatened, faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent. Bats are critical to healthy, functioning ecosystems and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the U.S.

The Stevens Point Journal is reporting that the Stevens Point paper mill has been sold to a Miami-based private equity firm. Pixelle Specialty Solutions and other affiliated paper mill plants have been sold to H.I.G. Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The Stevens Point mill employs about 300 people. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of this year.

Swedish company, BillerudKorsnäs, officials announced the completion of its acquisition of Verso on March 31, 2022.  Their press release does not mention the future of the Wisconsin Rapids paper mill. The acquisition of Verso reinforces BillerudKorsnäs’ strategy to drive profitable and sustainable growth and its ambition to accelerate its growth in North America.

The first round of County Deer Advisory Council (CDAC) public meetings is starting March 21. At each meeting, County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC) will consider recommendations on holiday hunts, extended archery seasons and antlerless deer quotas. Make sure you’re part of the conversation.

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 Bayfield County. A resident reported this ash tree-killing beetle in the city of Bayfield on March 2 and it was confirmed to be EAB by USDA-APHIS on March 11.

The upcoming episode of the 17-time Emmy Award winning television show, “Into the Outdoors,” will feature forestry careers at the WDNR. Titled “Heroes of the Forest,” the episode airs March 19-20 across Wisconsin, and will be available online starting March 21. Check here for your local air times. The episode is targeted towards young people interested in natural resources, and will explore the career opportunities available with the WDNR.

The WDNR is calling for entries from Wisconsin high school students for the 2023 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker design contest. The contest is open to all high school aged students attending public, private or parochial schools, as well as homeschooled students. Vehicle admission stickers provide access to the many state parks, forest and recreational areas across Wisconsin. Entries are being accepted through April 30, 2022.

Wood Turtles are an important and threatened species in Wisconsin. According to the WDNR, researchers in a multi-year, multi-state research project discovered that females of this species travel as far as 4 to 5 miles to lay their eggs, and have an internal “GPS” that guides them to their same nesting sites year after year!