Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Weekly Digest Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2022
Contact: Janet Brehm, Peshtigo Area Wildlife Supervisor
Janet.Brehm@wisconsin.gov or 715-409-3277

DNR Confirms CWD In Wild Deer
Harvested In Oconto County

Baiting And Feeding Bans Renewed For Oconto And Menominee Counties, Ongoing For Shawano County

The Wisconsin DNR confirms CWD in a wild deer harvested in Oconto County. Baiting and feeding bans are renewed for Oconto and Menominee Counties and remain in effect for Shawano County. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms a wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the Town of Underhill in Oconto County. The deer was a one-year-old hunter-harvested buck taken during the 2021 gun deer season. This is the first confirmed wild positive case of CWD in Oconto County.

Following state law, the DNR will renew a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Oconto County as well as a two-year ban in Menominee County, as the deer was harvested within 10 miles of the county line. Shawano County is also within 10 miles of the Oconto positive’s harvest location, but is already under a longer three-year baiting and feeding ban due to a positive CWD detection at a captive deer farm earlier this year.

Baiting or feeding deer encourages them to congregate unnaturally around a shared food source where sick deer can spread CWD through direct contact with healthy deer or by leaving behind infectious prions in their bodily secretions.

More information regarding baiting and feeding regulations and CWD in Wisconsin is available here.

Those harvesting deer within 10 miles of the newly detected positive case are especially encouraged to have their harvested adult deer tested for CWD. The Farmland Zone of Oconto County has an either-sex extended archery and crossbow deer hunt through Jan. 31, 2022; harvest authorizations are still available for purchase with your license. Collecting CWD samples is essential for assessing where and to what extent CWD occurs in deer across the state.

Information on how to have deer tested during the 2021-22 hunting seasons is available here.

Successful CWD management depends in part on citizen involvement in the decision-making process through local County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC). The DNR and the Oconto and Shawano CDACs will hold a public meeting on the status of CWD and a response plan for sampling wild deer in Oconto and Shawano County. The virtual meeting is open to all members of the public and will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 1 from 6-8 p.m. via Zoom. The public may also call in to the meeting by dialing 888-475-4499, meeting ID 871 6740 0821.

MEETING DETAILS:

WHAT: CWD In Oconto County

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 1, 2022

WHERE: Join by Zoom here.

Join by phone: 888-475-4499, Meeting ID: 871 6740 0821

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 11, 2022
Contact: Scott Roepke, DNR Area Wildlife Supervisor
Scott.Roepke@wisconsin.gov or 715-284-1403

DNR Confirms CWD In Wild Deer
Harvested In Monroe County

Baiting And Feeding Bans Renewed For Monroe County

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms two wild deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Monroe County during the fall 2021 hunting season. The two deer were adult bucks harvested in the towns of Ridgeville and Glendale. These are the first confirmed wild positive cases of CWD in Monroe County.

As required by state law, the DNR enacts three-year baiting and feeding bans in counties where CWD has been detected and two-year bans in adjoining counties that lie within 10 miles of a CWD detection. Following state law, the DNR will renew a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Monroe County.

Baiting or feeding deer encourages them to congregate unnaturally around a shared food source where sick deer can spread CWD through direct contact with healthy deer or by leaving behind infectious prions in their bodily secretions.

More information regarding baiting and feeding regulations and CWD in Wisconsin is available here.

The DNR asks deer hunters in Monroe county to assist with efforts to identify where CWD occurs. Those harvesting deer within 10 miles of the newly detected positive case are especially encouraged to have their harvested adult deer tested for CWD. Collecting CWD samples is essential for assessing where and to what extent CWD occurs in deer across the state.

Information on how to have deer tested during the 2021-2022 hunting seasons is available here.

The DNR will hold a virtual informational meeting on Thursday, Feb. 3 from 6-8 p.m. to discuss CWD in Monroe County. Members of the public are invited to attend this meeting and will have the opportunity to provide input.

CWD is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. It belongs to the family of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. The Wisconsin DNR began monitoring the state's wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.

MEETING DETAILS

WHAT: CWD In Monroe County

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 3, 2022

WHERE: Join by Zoom here.

Join by phone: 833-548-0282, Meeting ID: 818 9196 0967

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2022
Contact: Alaina Gerrits, DNR Wildlife Biologist
Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov or 715-508-1677

DNR Seeking Public Comment On
Greater Prairie-Chicken Management Plan;
Virtual Open House Jan. 18

Deadline For Public Comments Is Feb. 18, 2022

The public is invited to comment on a draft of a new greater prairie-chicken management plan beginning Jan. 18. / Photo Credit: Paul C. Sparks

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on the first draft of the state's greater prairie-chicken management plan. The deadline to submit comments is Feb. 18, 2022.

The plan outlines four potential paths forward for greater prairie-chicken management in Wisconsin through 2032. Each of the four paths has its own funding needs and expected outcomes. View the proposed plan here.

DNR staff will present the plan to the public during a virtual open house session on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022 from 6-8 p.m.

"The greater prairie-chicken in Wisconsin has a rich and storied history,” said Alaina Gerrits, DNR Wildlife Biologist. “We’re looking forward to gathering public input on the best path forward for managing this species into the future. The drafting of this plan was based on the best available science and highlights the critical requirements of landscape-level management for this species which has specific habitat needs.”

Greater prairie-chickens are one of the most unique and charismatic wildlife species in Wisconsin, attracting many people who travel miles each spring to watch their intriguing mating displays.

Prior to 1830, greater prairie-chickens were abundant in the extensive native prairies and oak openings throughout the southern half of the state. Habitat loss has caused large shifts in the range and abundance of prairie-chickens, and today they exist in isolated areas in a small portion of central Wisconsin.

More information is available about greater prairie-chickens in Wisconsin on the DNR’s website.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding the draft greater prairie-chicken management plan by no later than Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Please submit comments to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Alaina Gerrits - Bureau of Wildlife Management
P.O. Box 199 Wausaukee, WI 54177
Email: Alaina.Gerrits@wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2022
Contact: Josh Spiegel, DNR Wildlife Biologist
Joshua.Spiegel@wisconsin.gov or 715-558-0648

2021 Wisconsin Elk Hunting Season Ends With
Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience For Four Hunters

Four Wisconsinites drew tags for a once-in-a-lifetime elk hunt in the state’s fourth managed elk season. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that Wisconsin’s fourth state elk hunt closed on Dec. 17 with three of the four hunters awarded an elk harvest tag for the 2021 elk hunting season successfully filling their tags.

“All four hunters had multiple opportunities to harvest bull elk across the Clam Lake Elk Range,” said Josh Spiegel, DNR Wildlife Biologist. “Holding a once-in-a-lifetime tag, all four individuals had great hunting experiences and pursuits that were, like many hunts, filled with ups and downs. The 2021 elk hunters worked hard putting in a lot of hours in the field looking for signs, identifying key feeding areas and planning their hunt. Scouting and hunting an animal that moves long distances daily can be difficult.”

Three of the four hunters were drawn at random from a pool of about 25,000 applicants. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation raffled the fourth state tag in a fundraiser to support elk management in Wisconsin. The Foundation’s raffle winner was drawn from more than 1,800 applicants and is the second female hunter to harvest their first big game animal using a Wisconsin elk tag in the last two seasons.

“This year’s raffle winner is a longtime member of her local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation chapter,” said Spiegel. “She’s not only been able share this experience with family and friends but with the local Foundation chapter as well.”

Similar to the first three elk hunting seasons, Ojibwe tribal hunters also had the opportunity to harvest elk in the Ceded Territory of Wisconsin in 2021 with the season closing on Jan. 2, 2022. For inquiries relating to the tribes' 2021 elk hunt, contact Travis Bartnick, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission Wildlife Biologist at tbartnick@glifwc.org.

The 2022 elk hunt application period is expected to start March 1 and run through May 31. For each $10 application fee, $7 goes to elk management, habitat restoration and research in Wisconsin. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will hold its raffle in late summer 2022.

Wisconsin Elk

Once eliminated from the state through overhunting, Wisconsin now boasts a healthy, growing elk population thanks to two restoration efforts that began in 1995 and concluded in 2019.

The Clam Lake Elk Range covers 1,620 square miles and reaches into portions of Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk and Sawyer counties – Wisconsin’s northern elk zone where the first restoration effort began in 1995 with 25 elk from Michigan.

From 2017-2019, 91 elk from Kentucky were released to bolster the Clam Lake elk herd population, which has grown to an estimated 330 animals. Additionally, 73 elk were reintroduced to the 252-square-mile Black River Elk Range from 2015-2016, and the population today is estimated at 115 animals, bringing the statewide total population estimate to 445 elk.

Wisconsin held its first managed elk hunt in October of 2018, a testament to years of restoration, careful management and the strength of partnerships across agencies and states, tribal governments and nonprofit organizations.

Learn more about Elk in Wisconsin here.  

Sign up for email updates on current translocation efforts here. Follow the prompts and select the "elk in Wisconsin" and "wildlife projects" distribution lists.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 12, 2022
Contact: DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

EPA Recognizes Air Quality In Rhinelander; 
Entire State Now Meets Latest Sulfur Dioxide
Air Quality Standard

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the Rhinelander area will be formally redesignated to attainment of the most recent federal air quality standard for sulfur dioxide.

Analyses of air monitoring and modeling data show that air concentrations of sulfur dioxide in the area meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standard set to protect human health and the environment. The Rhinelander area also meets all other standards for all air pollutants regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

“People in the Rhinelander area are breathing cleaner, healthier air due to EPA’s partnership with the state of Wisconsin,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore. “Reducing sulfur dioxide pollution in the air is especially helpful for vulnerable populations.”

This designation officially recognizes that the air quality in the Rhinelander area is meeting this health-based air quality standard. As a result, the entire state of Wisconsin now meets the latest sulfur dioxide air quality standard.

“Meeting the 2010 sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard has been a complex process involving many areas of the DNR’s Air Management Program, EPA and facilities in Wisconsin,” said Gail Good, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Acting Environmental Management Division Administrator.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is an air pollutant regulated under both the federal Clean Air Act and Wisconsin state law. The largest source of sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities. Exposure to sulfur dioxide can harm the human respiratory system and make breathing difficult. Sulfur dioxide emissions can also damage foliage and crops, form acid rain and increase haze.

Based on monitored air quality data, a portion of Oneida County near Rhinelander was designated as nonattainment of the sulfur dioxide National Ambient Air Quality Standard in 2013. Following this designation, the DNR’s Air Management program worked closely with the Ahlstrom-Munksjö Rhinelander paper mill, the facility primarily responsible for sulfur dioxide emissions in the area, to identify and implement new emissions control measures. As a result of these actions, the monitored sulfur dioxide concentrations decreased by over 75%, and the area’s air quality began meeting the National Ambient Air Quality Standard in 2018.

“This widespread improvement in sulfur dioxide levels across the state is an air quality success story,” Good said. “Emissions of sulfur dioxide from Wisconsin sources are approximately 90% lower than 2002 levels, with most of this decline attributable to the use of cleaner-burning fuels at power plants and industrial facilities, along with the introduction of low-sulfur diesel fuels.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 13, 2022
Contact: DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

DNR To Host Virtual Public Hearing On
Draft Environmental Impact Statement On Proposed Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Relocation

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a virtual public hearing on Feb. 2 on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement that the department has prepared for the proposed relocation of the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline in Ashland, Bayfield and Iron Counties.

Enbridge, Inc. has proposed constructing approximately 41 miles of a new 30-inch-diameter crude oil pipeline to relocate its existing Line 5 pipeline outside of tribal lands of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. The company also proposes abandoning approximately 20 miles of its existing 30-inch-diameter Line 5 pipeline, including the section that currently crosses the Bad River Reservation.

The DNR has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement to inform decision-makers and the public about the environmental and socioeconomic effects of the proposed relocation and alternatives.

The virtual hearing will begin at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 via Zoom. To attend the hearing and provide oral comments, please register in-advance here.

When you register, you will be asked to provide your name and contact information, as well as indicate whether you wish to make an oral statement at the hearing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting online.

Members of the public who do not wish to provide testimony during the hearing and only want to listen, can watch a live feed of the hearing on the DNR’s YouTube channel.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement by email or regular mail. Submit electronic and hardcopy written comments at any time before Friday, March 4, 2022 to:

Department of Natural Resources
Line 5 EIS Comments (EA/7)
101 South Webster Street, Madison, WI 53707
Email: DNROEEACOMMENTS@WI.GOV

The DNR will consider all public comments received during the comment period, including any other pertinent information that becomes known to the department, and will prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement. The public will be notified when the Final Environmental Impact Statement is completed. No permit decisions will be made until after the Environmental Impact Statement process is complete.

More information on the proposed project and the Draft Environmental Impact Statement are available on the DNR’s Enbridge Pipeline Projects webpage.

HEARING INFORMATION

What: Virtual Public Hearing On Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Proposed Enbridge Line 5 Pipeline Relocation

When: 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022

Where: Register via Zoom here.

To join by phone, use the following toll-free number: 1-888-475-4499. When prompted on the phone, enter the following conference ID: 871 8245 2125.

Watch Live: Members of the public who do not wish to provide testimony during the hearing and only want to listen, can watch a live feed of the hearing on the DNR’s YouTube channel.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 13, 2022 
Contact: Laurie Ross, NRB Liaison 
Laurie.Ross@wisconsin.gov or 608-267-7420
DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin NRB Meeting Jan. 26

Deadline For Remote Appearance Requests And Written Comments
11 a.m. Jan. 19

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will meet in-person for the January board meeting to consider several proposed rules, hearings, management and master plans, land items and donations.

The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, originating from Public Meeting Room G09, at the State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7-8 as listed on the Agenda.

The public is encouraged to watch the January board meeting on the DNR’s YouTube channel.

The deadline to register for remote public appearance requests and to submit written comments is 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. There will be no in-person public appearances.

During the January meeting, the Board will be considering:

• Approval of the prohibition of one nature-based outdoor activity (hunting) to protect the public safety on land to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds – Groundswell Conservancy, Dane County
• Approval of the prohibition of one nature-based outdoor activity (hunting) to protect the public safety on land to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds – City of Schofield, Marathon County
• Approval of the prohibition of two nature-based outdoor activities (hunting and trapping) to protect the public safety on land to be purchased with Knowles-Nelson Stewardship funds – San Damiano Friary Acquisition, City of Monona, Dane County
• Proposed rules affecting chapters NR 500 to 520 related to coal combustion residual landfills
• Proposed rules affecting chapter NR 25 related to Lake Michigan whitefish management and Great Lakes commercial harvest reporting
• Proposed rules affecting chapter NR 438 related to clarifying and updating air contaminant emissions inventory reporting requirements
• Proposed rules affecting chapter NR 102 related to processes for waterbody assessments and impaired waters listing, biological assessment thresholds, biological confirmation of phosphorus impairments, and water quality criteria for dissolved oxygen
• Proposed rules creating chapter NR 159 related to regulating firefighting foam that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
• Proposed rules affecting chapters NR 10 & 45 related to the 2021 Wildlife Management spring hearing rule related to hunting trapping, and target shooting
• Statement of Scope for proposed rules affecting chapters NR 5, 10, 11, 15, 17, 20, 26, 27, 45 and 51, related to Wisconsin DNR property management regulations
• Statement of Scope for Emergency Board Order WM-15-21 (E) for proposed rules affecting chapter NR 10 related to establishing the 2022 migratory bird season framework and regulations
• 2022 bear harvest quotas
• Land Acquisition of Tiffany Wildlife Area in Pepin County

The complete January NRB meeting agenda is available on the DNR website here.

In addition to being encouraged to watch the upcoming meeting, there are opportunities for the public to testify and to submit written comments about issues that come before the NRB. More information regarding public participation at Board meetings is available here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 13, 2022
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Keep Ice Safety A Top Priority This Winter

Free Fishing Weekend Jan. 15-16

The DNR urges anglers to practice safety while on the ice during Free Fishing Weekend this weekend. / Photo Credit: iStock/Michael Olson

Madison, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public to make ice safety a priority when heading out for Free Fishing Weekend Jan. 15-16.

During Free Fishing Weekend, no fishing license or trout and salmon stamps are required. Anglers can fish state waters where there is an open season. All other fishing regulations apply, such as limits on the number and size of fish you can keep and any seasons when you must release certain fish species.

Know Before You Go

No ice is 100% safe. The DNR does not monitor local ice conditions or the thickness of the ice and urges anglers to practice safety during winter fishing activities while on the ice. Ice strength cannot be determined by appearance, age, thickness or temperature, especially when the ice is snow-covered. 

Plan Ahead For A Safe Winter Fishing Adventure

Follow these safety tips when ice fishing:

• Dress in warm, water-resistant layers and pack an extra hat and gloves.
• Contact local bait shops, fishing clubs or resorts to ask about local ice conditions.
• Stay safely on shore if ice conditions are questionable and if open water is within casting distance.
• Use sturdy waterproof boots with spike-style creepers for traction.
• Carry some basic safety gear: ice claws or picks, a cellphone in a waterproof bag or case and rope.
• Wear a life jacket or a float coat to help stay afloat and slow body heat loss.
• Make sure someone knows where you are and when you are expected to return.
• Don't travel in areas you are not familiar with and don't travel at night or during reduced visibility.
• Avoid inlets, outlets or narrows with currents that can thin the ice.
• Look for clear ice, which is generally stronger than ice with snow on it or bubbles in it.
• Watch out for pressure ridges or ice heaves. These can be dangerous due to thin ice and open water.

Check out the DNR’s Ice Safety webpage for more information on staying safe on the ice, including tips for creating ice claws and what to do if you fall through ice.

If you're new to ice fishing, check out the "Ice Fishing Essentials" story in the latest issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine for tips on what you'll need to get started.

Visit the DNR's Fishing Equipment For Loan webpage to find a tackle loaner site with ice fishing equipment near you or where you plan to fish. 

Free Fishing Weekend Regulations & Guidelines

Anglers cannot fish spring trout ponds during the Winter Free Fishing Weekend. Please review the trout regulations and 2021-2022 Hook and Line regulations for more information.

If you plan to keep your catch, please review the DNR's Safe Eating Guidelines for information on  consumption advisories impacting some waterbodies throughout the state.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 14, 2022
Contact: Caitlin Williamson, Director of Conservation Programs
Caitlin.Williamson@wisconservation.org or 608-409-3109

Anne Reis, DNR Public Lands Specialist
Anne.Reis@wisconsin.gov or 608-279-6483

Grants From Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund
Will Help Improve Public Lands
In Bayfield And Walworth Counties

Two More Wins For Hunters, Anglers And Wildlife Watchers

Lulu Lake State Park in Walworth County, pictured, and White River State Fishery Area in Bayfield county will receive grants from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund, a permanent endowment that supports Wisconsin’s public lands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that funding from the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund will help improve public lands in Bayfield and Walworth counties thanks to a successful partnership between the department and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin.

“Donations from hunters, anglers and nature enthusiasts to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund make restoration and management work at places like important natural, fish and wildlife areas possible,” said David Clutter, Executive Director of the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. "As the Cherish Fund continues to grow thanks to generous contributions by individuals, the positive impact on Wisconsin's natural resources will grow in kind."

The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund, a permanent endowment benefiting Wisconsin’s public lands, will make its third disbursement for the White River Fishery Area in Bayfield County and Lulu Lake State Natural Area in Walworth County.

“The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund continues to grow and is currently over $1.5 million," said DNR Assistant Deputy Secretary Steven Little. "This funding helps critical habitat improvement projects on DNR-managed lands for all to enjoy." 

The two selected projects for this year represent high-priority habitat restoration work from across the state. Funding for the Bayfield County project will be critical in restoring riparian areas along the South Fork of the White River, a state-designated Outstanding Water Resource. The final funding for the projects is $31,689.

“These Cherish Funds will be used to enhance recreational opportunities, like fishing and hunting, along this important stream by removing invasive shrubs,” said Cristopher Sand, the DNR’s Property Manager for the White River Fishery Area.

In Walworth County, the funds will aid oak savanna restoration efforts at Lulu Lake State Natural Area, a premier property in one of the state's most populated areas.

“Lulu Lake State Natural Area contains a diverse mosaic of habitats that host an impressive variety of plant and wildlife species,” said Pete Duerkop, DNR District Ecologist for the Natural Heritage Conservation Program. “The Cherish-funded restoration efforts will afford unique and enhanced opportunities for wildlife observation, hiking and other recreation in addition to providing a haven for rare species.”

Projects were chosen through a grant application process and reviewed by an engaged stakeholder group including Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Natural Areas Preservation Council, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ruffed Grouse Society, Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress. The DNR and the Natural Resources Foundation are grateful for these organizations’ involvement.

About The Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund

Created in 2012 by an act of the Wisconsin State Legislature, the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund is a public-private partnership that provides a permanent source of funding to care for Wisconsin’s public lands for generations to come.

Established to protect, restore, and improve habitat for Wisconsin's plants and animals, the Fund also provides an opportunity for the public to invest in the public lands and waters where they recreate.

The Cherish Fund is built through voluntary contributions from the public when they purchase their hunting and fishing licenses through the DNR’s Go Wild license portal. Individuals can also donate directly to the Cherish Fund through the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. Donating to the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund is a great avenue for the public who do not typically buy annual fishing and hunting licenses to contribute to the management and restoration of essential Wisconsin animal habitat.

Learn more at CherishWisconsin.org.

About The Natural Resources Foundation Of Wisconsin

The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is a private nonprofit 501c3 organization nonprofit organization that connects generations to the wonders of Wisconsin’s lands, waters and wildlife through conservation, education, engagement and giving. Since 1986, the Foundation has contributed nearly $10 million to public and private conservation efforts to protect Wisconsin's lands, waters and wildlife.

The Foundation currently holds more than 100 endowment funds with more than $10 million in assets dedicated to conserving lands, protecting wildlife and promoting conservation in Wisconsin in perpetuity.

The Foundation coordinates programs designed to connect people to the land by exploring significant sites and getting expert-led tours of some of our state’s most important conservation projects. The Foundation is proud to partner with more than 500 conservation partners throughout Wisconsin county.

Learn more about the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin at WisConservation.org.