Fall Hunting In Full Swing

Find Your Fall Adventure

Fall into your autumn adventure with help from the new issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, now available in print and online. Ideas for great fall day trips and seasonal bucket list activities will get you primed to embrace autumn. You also can learn about the science of fall colors and try a Kids Corner activity to illustrate the change. Plus, you'll find stories about:

• Lizard Mound State Park, an important Ho-Chunk Nation historical site
• Work To Protect Hardwood Swamps in northern Wisconsin from threats of climate change and the emerald ash borer
• Chef Elena Terry, who finds culinary inspiration in her Ho-Chunk roots
• Woodcock Hunting and training a springer spaniel for the task
• Horseback Riding At Wisconsin State Parks, with more than 700 miles of trails open to equestrian activities

Get all this and more in the Fall issue. Subscribe online to receive the print edition four times a year, or call 1-800-678-9472.

_{Cover Photo Credit: Sam Li}

Fighting Invasive Species With Help From The Herd

The Brule River State Forest used a new type of "land manager" this year — goats. As part of the DNR's integrated pest management plan, the animals were rotated throughout the site several times to graze in areas overrun with invasive buckthorn.

"Buckthorn has been a problem on the Brule River State Forest for a long time," said Dan Kephart, DNR Brule River State Forest Property Manager. "It's really important to the forest ecologically and aesthetically that we inhibit these invasive species as much as we can and promote native species."

The DNR partnered with Regenerative Ruminants on the goat-grazing project, which, like other management methods, is a long-term treatment. The goats eat woody invasive plants that can outcompete native vegetation and harm the ecosystem. Getting rid of these harmful plants allows the forest to regenerate.

Since the seeds of the invasive plants remain in the soil for several years, the DNR will evaluate the Brule grazing areas in upcoming seasons to determine if the goats or other treatment methods are needed going forward.

The DNR reminds visitors to state parks and forests to be sure to wipe their shoes and clean equipment before arrival and upon departure to help avoid spreading harmful invasive species like buckthorn. Check the DNR's invasive species webpage for more information on what you can do to help.

_{Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR}

Wehr Nature Center Hosts Track Chair

Add Milwaukee County Parks' Wehr Nature Center in Franklin to the list of sites with an all-terrain wheelchair available for free public use. In partnership with Access Ability Wisconsin, which has several all-terrain wheelchair sites, the nature center now offers the track chair to be used on its 5 miles of trails or, for those with towing capabilities, to be taken for use elsewhere.

Reservations for the wheelchair can be made through the Access Ability Wisconsin Wehr webpage. For more about the wheelchairs and how they help improve access to the outdoors, check the Winter 2020 issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources.

_{Photo Credit: Courtesy of Monica Spaeni/Access Ability Wisconsin}