Blog Articles

Martha Stoltenberg, Elkhart Lake – passed away September 7, 2018.  Martha was an outdoor enthusiast.  A memorial fund is being established in her name.

Robert Birnstengel, Laporte, MN – passed away September 1, 2018.   Bob worked for the US Forest Service.

Craig Johanesen, Stoughton – passed away February 2, 2018.  Craig was a WWOA Charter member and very active in the WWOA Blackhawk Chapter.  Memorials in Craig’s name may be made to the Clintonville Area Historical Society, 25 18th Street, Clintonville, WI 54929 or the ASPCA at https://www.aspca.org/

  Snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) Snowy owls rank among the most charismatic wildlife species in the world. The heaviest of all North American owls, tipping the scales at 3 to 6 pounds, their bright white plumage, large yellow eyes, massive feathered feet and diurnal tendencies appeal to even the most casual nature lover. Equally appealing to some are their unpredictable movement patterns and the remote arctic wilderness they represent.

Plant Health Experts: Don’t Compost Those Boxwood Wreaths Contact:   Donna Gilson (608) 224-5130, donna.gilson@wi.gov                 Bill Cosh, Communications Director, (608) 224-5020, William2.Cosh@wi.gov MADISON – If you’re decorating with boxwood wreaths or boughs this holiday season, watch where you place them and be sure to dispose of them properly when January rolls around.

The Division of Forestry, Tax Law Section is soliciting public comment on proposed update to the Forest Tax Law Handbook (Handbook 2450.5), Chapter 20, Harvesting on MFL. The draft is available on the Proposed DNR Program Guidance webpage  and comments will be accepted through December 5, 2018. Click on the link for more information.

If you are over 70 ½ years old you are required to take money out of your individual retirement account (IRA). Normally when you take money out of your IRA this becomes a taxable event and raises your adjusted gross income. If you intend to give this money to charity, your taxable income is reduced by the amount of the gift after the donation. However, your adjusted gross income remains higher.

Have you ever watched a startled rabbit dart across your yard and suddenly disappear as if by magic? No magic. Chances are the wily critter escaped into a strategically located den or tangled grove. You can create this kind of habitat—“rabbitat” if you will—by building brush piles. When you do, you’ll find that brush piles are important for many other kinds of wildlife too….

During late August and September of this year, Forest Health staff received several comments about problems with white and burr oaks.

Forest health specialists in the northern part of the state recently received reports of oak trees suddenly losing branch tips (complete with attached leaves).