Blog Articles

Jacquelin “Jacq” Collins, Boyceville… age 90, died Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Red Cedar Hospital in Menomonie, after a stroke ended his long battle with Louie Body dementia. He met and married his wife Natalyn Dexter in Illinois in 1961. He became a noted British historian, Texas Tech professor and leader at the University. His British history classes were so popular that the Department decided to hire a second British historian, Brian Blakeley.

Landowners Asked to Donate Infested Ash Trees The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is asking Wisconsin landowners for their help in fighting the Emerald ash borer (EAB). The pest is an invasive insect from Asia that was first detected in the United States in 2002. Since its discovery, EAB has caused the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees. USDA is using ash trees to combat the pest.

Help Shape Deer Season For Your Community Meetings Held Across Wisconsin April 22 – May 2 MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and County Deer Advisory Councils are seeking public input to prepare for the 2024 deer season. Each county in Wisconsin has a County Deer Advisory Council that meets annually to provide input and recommendations to the DNR on deer management in its county.

As the Wisconsin legislative session comes to a close SB 999/AB 1039 did not move out of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage. WWOA believes, as do many others, that this bill or something similar will resurface in a future legislative session.  As your legislators and future legislators are in their districts this summer and fall before the fall election, this is the perfect time to meet with them.

  Message From Billerud March 21, 2024   I would like to take a moment to inform you of an important development within our company.   Today, Billerud announced that it has reached terms with the Capital Recovery Group, LLC (CRG, LLC) for the sale of the idled Wisconsin Rapids Mill and related assets. This decision follows a thorough exploration of viable and sustainable alternatives for the mill since its idling in July 2020.

Gavin P. Kowalski, Wittenberg… age 12, died unexpectedly on Monday, March 11, 2024 at his home.  He was currently in 6th grade at Wittenberg Elementary School.  Gavin faced many obstacles in his life but his determined personality and family helped him persevere to live life to the fullest. Gavin was son of WWOA members, Ted and Christine Kowalski and grandson of Maribeth (& John, deceased) Czerwonka.

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.

William “Bill” Fucik, Ladysmith…age 94, passed away on December 28, 2023 at Dimensions Living in Stevens Point. Bill and his wife, Althea “Lolly”, married and moved to the Ladysmith area in 1994. There they became active WWOA members. Bill served on the Northwest Chapter Board of Directors for many years.

On February 16, 2024, the companion bill to Senate Bill 999 (Motorized vehicles on Open MFL lands), Assembly Bill 1093, was read for the first time and referred to the Assembly Committee on Forestry, Parks and Outdoor Recreation. This Committee is chaired by long-time forestry advocate, Representative Mursau from Crivitz.

* Please note that information following SB999/AB1093 will be posted under News, Government Affairs going forward. President Don Hoffman is holding WWOA’s testimony and executive director, Nancy Bozek, is holding the letters of more than 50 members that were sent to their legislators, the bill’s authors, and/or Senate Committee members. WWOA’s testimony and a copy of your letters were presented to the Senate Committee members.