Blog Articles

Dolores Hill, Brown Deer…passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022.  She was the wife of Earl Hill. Her passion for nature shone brightly in her love of gardening, both in her backyard and at her cottage and forest which she tended for many summers with her Swedish axe in-hand.

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.

Sharon Feathers, Ringle…passed away on Thursday, March 10, 2022.  She was the  wife of member Jerry Feathers.   She was a nature lover and in later years, when traveling became too difficult, she loved sitting on the deck watching the birds coming to the various well-stocked feeders in the backyard. She was a fan of Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac and would pause to listen with delight to the migrating geese overhead in the spring.

Dale M. Gumz, Cadott…passed away on March 15, 2022, after a long illness. Toward the end of his career, he returned to a farm near where he grew up. Dale especially enjoyed land improvement projects and spending time with friends and relatives in the Cadott area. Among his many positive attributes, Dale will be remembered for his kindness and his gentle, positive attitude.

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.

Albert N. Steele, Valparaiso, IN and Rhinelander, WI…passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.  Al was an active member of the North Central Chapter and a regular at WWOA’s Annual Meeting.  He loved spending time at his woods in northern Wisconsin. A private Family Memorial Service will be conducted at a later date.

Anne Schultz, Wilton…passed away on Thursday, June 3, 2021.  An avid lover of nature, Anne enjoyed spending time birdwatching, fishing, gardening, and exploring the woods.

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.