Blog Articles

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.

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.