Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Weekly Digest Bulletin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2021
Contact: Christine Haag, DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program Director Christine.Haag@wisconsin.gov or 608-422-1148

DNR Seeking Public Input On PFAS Contamination In Marinette, Peshtigo And Surrounding Communities

MADISON, Wis — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is holding listening sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 20, to seek public input on PFAS contamination in the City of Marinette, the Town of Peshtigo and surrounding communities. These listening sessions are the 16th in a series of public input opportunities hosted by the DNR for area residents. 

The listening sessions will include routine updates from the DNR and the Department of Health Services (DHS) regarding the status of the PFAS investigations in the community.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and certain types of firefighting foam.

These contaminants have made their way into the environment through spills of PFAS-containing chemicals, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treatment plants and certain types of firefighting foams.

Addressing PFAS contamination in the environment is part of Gov. Tony Evers' statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe drinking water. In 2019, the governor signed Executive Order #40 to address the issue of PFAS across the state.

Additional information on PFAS is available on the Wisconsin DHS website and the Wisconsin DNR website.

LISTENING SESSIONS ON PFAS CONTAMINATION IN MARINETTE & PESHTIGO

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, noon-2 p.m. and 6-7:30 p.m.

WHO:

• Christine Haag – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program Director
• Bridget Kelly – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program PFAS Team Leader
• Alyssa Sellwood – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program Project Manager
• Kyle Burton – DNR Drinking Water and Groundwater Field Operations Director

• Brita Kilburg-Basnyat – DHS Toxicologist

WHERE: Join via Zoom here.
Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 822 9180 9472

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 19, 2021
Contact: Chris Pedretti, DNR Business Services Section Chief
Christopher.Pedretti@wisconsin.gov or 608-527-5338

Slinger High School Student Wins 2022 State Park And Forest Vehicle Admission Sticker Contest

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that Slinger High School junior Kaylee Goodman is the winner of the 2022 Wisconsin State Park and Forest vehicle admission sticker contest. Goodman’s water-inspired design was selected for its creative approach to a sandy beach scene with footprints and wildlife tracks along the water. Goodman will receive an engraved plaque and a 2022 annual vehicle admission sticker featuring her design when stickers go on sale in early December. "Many of our properties feature beachfront access and opportunities for outdoor fun on and near the water, including miles of stunning Lake Michigan shoreline,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Parks Director. “This design does a wonderful job of celebrating those signature places and the wildlife we share them with." Now in its 31st year, the annual DNR-sponsored design contest is open to artwork submissions from high school-age students attending Wisconsin's public, private or parochial schools or home-schools. The second-place winner is Gianna Stelter of Cedarburg High School, whose entry depicted an owl’s face above a forest landscape. Taking third place is Jadin Baillie of Bay Port High School, with a park scene design featuring an angler fishing from a dock. Here are the 2022 honorable mention recipients: Amy Yi, Verona High School Destiny Hillhouse, Slinger High School Sophia Mazzolari, Waupun High School Vivian Zabawa-Lodholz, McFarland High School Lea Connolly, Elkhorn High School Yekaterina Savenkova, Slinger High School Deszion Zuehlke, Waupun High School View all previous year winning sticker designs here. The vehicle admission stickers provide access to more than 60 state park, forest and recreation area properties across Wisconsin. The stickers are required on all motor vehicles visiting state parks and recreation areas. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a sticker. The 2022 state park stickers and state trail passes go on sale Dec. 1. The 2022 stickers and passes for admission to parks, forests, recreation areas and trails are valid from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2022.  Annual admission stickers cost $28 for Wisconsin residents or $38 for non-residents. A family with more than one vehicle registered to the same household may purchase additional state park stickers for $15.50 for residents and $20.50 for non-residents. Wisconsin residents 65 years of age and older can buy a senior citizen annual sticker for $13. Materials for the 2023 sticker design contest are now available, and students can submit entries through April 30, 2022. More information regarding contest guidelines is available here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 20, 2021
Contact: Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Help Remove Gypsy Moth Egg Masses This Fall

Gypsy Moth Numbers On The Rise In 2021

The DNR is asking the public to help look for and dispose of egg masses produced by adult gypsy moths during the summer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

OSHKOSH, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking the public for help this fall by looking for and disposing of egg masses produced by adult gypsy moths during the summer.

Gypsy moths are invasive pests that lay egg masses that are tan-colored lumps about the size of a nickel or quarter. Each mass contains hundreds of eggs and can be found on trees, buildings and other outdoor objects, including firewood piles and birdhouses.

In 2021, gypsy moth populations increased for a second consecutive summer due to weather conditions that allowed more caterpillars to survive and become adult moths.

Populations usually grow fastest and are often first noticed on:

• Preferred tree species (oak, crabapple, birch, etc.) growing on mowed lawns
• Large oaks with rough bark, especially on or adjacent to mowed lawns
• Dry sites with sandy soil and abundant oak

Checking for egg masses helps residents predict the number of gypsy moths for the following summer and take necessary action. You can discover more egg masses once leaves have fallen from the trees.

Treating or removing masses in the fall prevents large amounts of eggs from hatching into hungry, leaf-eating caterpillars in the spring. Large amounts of these caterpillars can be a tremendous nuisance that could even kill trees.

To treat or remove egg masses, spray the masses that are safely within reach with horticultural oil or gently scrape them into a container of soapy water to soak for a few days before being discarded in the trash. Do not use motor oil or other lubricants, as these can harm the tree and be a pollutant. Old masses with no viable eggs will appear faded and feel spongy when touched.

If weather conditions are favorable again in 2022, the most noticeable increase in caterpillar numbers would likely occur in southern Wisconsin counties, where conditions were driest this past spring and summer.

Visit the Wisconsin gypsy moth website for information about egg mass oiling and removal, physical controls, population survey methods and insecticide applications to high-value host trees. An arborist or forester may also be a good resource for anyone dealing with gypsy moths.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 20, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Virtual CWD Response Plan Review
Committee Meeting Oct. 27

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced it will host the third meeting of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Response Plan Committee on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. via Zoom.

The DNR’s 15-year CWD Response Plan, in effect through 2025, helps guide the department’s approach to addressing CWD in Wisconsin. The plan was developed to fulfill its public trust responsibility to manage wildlife and ensure the health of Wisconsin’s wildlife populations. As part of the plan’s implementation, the department will review progress toward meeting its goals and objectives every five years.

The committee is comprised of a group of stakeholders representing conservation, business and hunting organizations and tribal governments. During its meetings, the committee will develop input on the plan’s implementation and actions to consider as it completes this second five-year review.

Chronic wasting disease is a fatal, infectious nervous system disease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. The Wisconsin DNR began monitoring the state's wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.

More information on chronic wasting disease is available on the DNR's CWD webpage. 

Additional information on the DNR’s CWD response plan is available on the DNR’s website.  

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: CWD Response Plan Committee Meeting

WHEN: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Oct. 27, 2021

WHERE: Join by Zoom here

Call in: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 819 2699 5880

There is no registration required to attend, and a recording of the meeting will be posted to the DNR website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications 
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin DNR Joins Stoughton Utilities For National Imagine A Day Without Water To Celebrate The Removal Of The Last Lead Service Line In The City Of Stoughton

The Wisconsin DNR remains committed to ensuring safe water in Wisconsin. The department joined Stoughton Utilities for National Imagine A Day Without Water to celebrate the removal of the last lead service line in the City of Stoughton. / Photo Credit: iStock/Imgorthand

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined Stoughton Utilities today for Imagine A Day Without Water, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the value of water, to celebrate the removal of the last lead service line in the City of Stoughton.

The DNR worked closely with Stoughton Utilities to provide grant funding to replace all privately-owned lead service lines in 2021 at no cost to individual homeowners. The DNR awarded Stoughton Utilities a $3,561,281 grant that funded the total cost of replacing the privately-owned portion of all lead service lines. The utility will spend an additional $2.6 million to replace the publicly-owned portion of all lead service lines.

“By removing all of their remaining lead service lines, the City of Stoughton is doing the necessary work so that residents are not afraid to drink from their taps,” said DNR Secretary Preston D. Cole. “Lead service lines that are not properly treated and coated, can leach lead into drinking water causing serious health problems, including brain damage among young children. The only completely safe way to eliminate exposure to lead from aging water pipes is is to get the lead out. That is why the DNR is dedicated to working with municipalities across the state to remove these lines to ensure Wisconsinites have safe, clean drinking water.”     

Today’s replacement of the final water service line marks the end of Stoughton’s efforts to locate and remove all lead water service lines. In 2021, the utility replaced a total of 698 water service lines.

Gov. Tony Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water, and the work continues. The DNR has a long history of water protection and remains committed to ensuring safe water in Wisconsin. The department’s dedication to safe water for all includes a continued focus on lead services lines, PFAS and nitrates.

“We are doing all that we can to make sure the people of Wisconsin do not have to have any days without safe, clean drinking water,” Cole said.

Lead Service Lines

There are over 176,000 lead service lines that need replacing to provide safe water for all across Wisconsin. To help combat the issue, the DNR is providing $63.8 million to assist communities like Stoughton with lead service line replacement.

The assistance was made possible by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) allowing states in 2020 to provide grants to replace lead service lines on private property for two years using their Clean Water Fund and Safe Drinking Water Fund programs. So far, the DNR has provided grants to 65 communities totaling $40 million, with the remaining $24 million in grants to be distributed over the next year.

Although originally used in many consumer products, lead is now known to be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled. When people come in contact with lead, it may enter their bodies and accumulate over time, resulting in damage to the brain, nervous system, red blood cells and kidneys. Its presence in the body can lead to toxic effects, regardless of age, gender or exposure pathway. Removing lead service lines is one way to minimize the potential for lead to get into your drinking water. Learn more about drinking water and lead on the DNR’s website here.

PFAS

PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, including non-stick cookware, grease resistant food wrappers, firefighting foam and stain-resistant sprays. Although scientists are still learning about the health effects from the estimated 9,000 types of PFAS chemicals, studies indicate that some PFAS can cause adverse reproductive and developmental cancer, liver and kidney and immunological effects.

These “forever chemicals” were found in approximately five of 91 municipal water systems where samples exceeded state-recommended health levels PFAS. Hundreds of private wells across the state have been impacted by PFAS, including private drinking water wells in the towns of Campbell, Peshtigo and Newton.

The DNR has undertaken several measures to mitigate PFAS pollution in Wisconsin, including establishing the Wisconsin PFAS Action Council in 2019, spearheading the statewide PFAS Action Plan and issuing multiple fish consumption advisories due to PFAS. The DNR also helped provide clean drinking water to the private well owners in communities such as French Island in La Crosse County and the town of Peshtigo.

The DNR is also advancing rules to establish safe water standards for PFAS, including proposing enforcement standards for groundwater, surface water and drinking water and supporting proposed PFAS legislation, such as the CLEAR Act to expand monitoring, well testing, funding for communities impacted by PFAS to help provide safe drinking water and clean up funds, and expanding staff to assist communities and businesses proactively addressing these forever chemicals. The CLEAR Act is still awaiting action by the state legislature.

Nitrates

Nitrate is Wisconsin’s most widespread groundwater contaminant. Studies show that nitrate is increasing in severity and extent in Wisconsin. While the majority of Wisconsin households rely on public water systems, one in four Wisconsinites get their water from private wells. At least 10% of private wells in Wisconsin, and 300 public water systems, have levels of nitrate that exceed the health standard for nitrates.

It is widely acknowledged that 90% of nitrate leaches from agricultural sources such as manure and fertilizer. Nitrate poses an acute risk to infants and women who are pregnant, a possible risk to the developing fetus during very early stages of pregnancy and a chronic risk of serious disease in adults.

Since private wells are largely unregulated in our country and not tested on a regular basis like public water supplies, owners of wells are generally left on their own to test their water and correct any concerns. Since 2019, the department has been working on targeted performance standards for agricultural practices in areas of Wisconsin that are most susceptible to nitrate contamination and where rural families are suffering the most. 

Safe Water For All Campaign

Gov. Evers declared 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water to address the fact Wisconsinites do not have access to safe, clean drinking water. Today, the work continues.

To help keep the public informed on the state of water in Wisconsin, the DNR launched the Safe Water For All Campaign in July 2021. This effort included a series of online webinars available On-Demand here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

DNR Aware Of Elk Reported In Southern Wisconsin

Common For Young Bull Elk To Roam During Breeding Season

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has received reports of bull elk observed in southwestern and southeastern Wisconsin in mid-October.

Young bull elk leaving their home ranges is a natural behavior during the fall breeding season. The department encourages the public to enjoy viewing elk from a safe distance.

Deer hunters should take extra care to be sure of their target while hunting and can use resources on the DNR website to distinguish elk from white-tailed deer while afield.

“Deer hunters in this area aren’t used to looking out for elk, which makes sense. These bulls are some of the first elk seen in southern counties in more than 100 years,” said Scott Roepke, DNR Area Wildlife Supervisor. “Still, we know these animals can wander large distances, and local deer hunters should make sure they’ve got a white-tail in their sights before taking a shot this season.”

Anyone who sees an elk outside of their established ranges near Clam Lake and Black River Falls can report their sighting online using the DNR's large mammal observation form.

Once widespread across North America, elk were eliminated from Wisconsin in the 1880s. With the support of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ho Chunk Nation and several other partners, the DNR began a multi-year effort to re-establish elk in the Black River Falls area in 2015.

The central forest herd now numbers over 100 animals. Elk who wander into other parts of the state are typically younger bulls that set off in search of unoccupied territory where competition for female elk is lower.

More information on elk reintroduction and management is available on the DNR website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2021
Contact: Heidi Brunkow, DNR Flambeau River State Forest Forester
Heidi.Brunkow@wisconsin.gov or 715-332-5271 ext. 106

DNR Seeking Public Comments On Proposed Snowmobile Trail Designation Within
Flambeau River State Forest

WINTER, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comments on proposed plans to designate a .9-mile span of road as a snowmobile trail within the Flambeau River State Forest.

The proposal is a change to the Flambeau River State Forest Master Plan and includes a trail reroute to improve Rusk County snowmobile trails as planned through the master plan variance process.

As described in Chapter NR 44 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, a master plan variance is a change in the use or management of an area that is consistent with the area’s land management classification and objectives. The Flambeau River State Forest Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in 2010.

Located in Price, Rusk and Sawyer Counties, the Flambeau River State Forest contains 90,147 acres and 55 miles of snowmobile trails that provide access to the Tuscobia State Trail and the Sawyer County trail system to the north, and the Price and Rusk county trail systems to the south. The forest also provides excellent backcountry opportunities, including wooded hiking trails, ATV trails, family campgrounds and rustic river campsites, hunting and fishing. 

The public can review the draft variance and a map showing the proposed trail and submit comments here.

The public is also encouraged to submit comments or questions regarding the proposed plans by Nov. 4, 2021 to:

Department of Natural Resources
C/O Heidi Brunkow, DNR Flambeau River State Forest Forester
W1613 County Rd W
Winter, WI 54896
Email: Heidi.Brunkow@wisconsin.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 21, 2021
Contact: Erin Grossman, DNR Wildlife Biologist
erin.grossman@wisconsin.gov or 715-884-1014

DNR Confirms Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease
In Juneau County Deer

Disease Can Cause Deer Fatality But Is Not A Threat To Human Health

ADAMS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms that a tissue sample collected from a deer in Juneau County tested positive for the virus that causes epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD).

The disease was detected after a landowner reported a dead deer on their property in central Juneau County. This discovery represents the second county where epizootic hemorrhagic disease has been identified in 2021, following a discovery in La Crosse County last month.

The virus that causes epizootic hemorrhagic disease can be carried by midges, which are small flies also known as biting gnats or no-see-ums. The virus does not infect humans even if a person handles infected deer, eats venison from infected deer or are bitten by infected midges.

Signs Of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease In Deer

Clinical signs of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in deer include excessive salivation or foaming around the nose and mouth, appearing weak and approachable by humans, and carcasses found in or near water sources, as infected deer will often lay in water to cool down or drink.

How To Report Sick Or Dead Deer

To report a sick or dead deer, contact your county wildlife biologist. If epizootic hemorrhagic disease is suspected, fresh samples will need to be collected within a day or two of death to be useful for detecting the virus. Those reporting suspected cases will need to provide details about the condition of the deer, its exact location and the condition of the carcass(es).

The DNR will not collect or remove deer that are suspected to have died from epizootic hemorrhagic disease. Carcasses from deer that die of epizootic hemorrhagic disease are not a threat to spreading the disease to other deer, as the virus does not survive for long once an infected deer dies. The DNR advises against handling any found deer carcasses as other pathogens harmful to humans could be present.

About Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease is common across the southern and western United States, occasionally showing up in the Midwest. It can be fatal to deer, especially in those that have limited previous exposure to the virus, such as in Wisconsin. The disease is typically short-lived, as the flies that transmit the disease die with the first hard frost. When deer die of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, it typically happens within seven days of infection.

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease has previously been identified in Wisconsin, generally with varying localized impacts on deer. In fall 2020, there were small outbreaks of less than 50 deer each in Oconto and Buffalo counties. In fall 2019, an epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak in Crawford and six surrounding counties affected approximately 300 deer. A single case was confirmed in 2017. In 2012, an epizootic hemorrhagic disease outbreak was suspected of killing approximately 380 deer in Dane and Columbia counties.

Additional information about epizootic hemorrhagic disease is available on the DNR’s website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22, 2021
Contact: Kyle Burton, DNR Drinking and Groundwater Field Operations Director
Kyle.Burton@wisconsin.gov or 920-662-5169  

DNR To Host Virtual Public Meeting On
Special Well Casing Depth Area
& TCE Contamination Oct. 27

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, from 6-7:30 p.m. to provide information and answer questions regarding the special well casing depth area (SWCDA) within the towns of Hudson and Warren in St. Croix County.

This online event is the first public input opportunity hosted by the DNR to share information and answer questions about the SWCDA for area residents. 

The meeting will include an overview of the areas included within the SWCDA, a brief history of the contamination affecting the area and a discussion of the impacts to new well construction and existing point of entry water treatment systems. The presentation will include speakers from the DNR and the Department of Health Services (DHS).

Participants are strongly encouraged to submit questions in advance via email at DNRStCroixSWCDA@wisconsin.gov.

The SWCDA is an area within the towns of Hudson and Warren where comingled plumes of contamination from three nearby sites caused drinking water wells to become contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE). The comingled groundwater plume encompasses approximately six square miles (4,000 acres). Approximately 600 private drinking water wells are located within this area.

Addressing groundwater contamination is part of Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide initiative to ensure Wisconsinites have access to clean, safe, drinking water.

Additional information on the SWCDA is available on the Wisconsin DNR website.

__________________________________________________________________

EVENT DETAILS

WHAT: Informational Meeting On The Special Well Casing Depth Area In The Towns Of Hudson And Warren

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, 6-7:30 p.m.

WHO: 

Kyle Burton – DNR Drinking and Groundwater Field Operations Director

Dave Rozeboom – DNR Remediation and Redevelopment Program West Central Region Team Supervisor

Candace Sykora – DNR Hydrogeologist

Stacy Steinke – DNR Drinking and Groundwater Program Private Well Field Supervisor

Curtis Hedman – DHS Toxicologist

WHERE: Join by Zoom here.

Join by phone: 312-626-6799; Meeting ID: 878 7103 7782

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22., 2021
Contact: DNR Office of Communications
DNRPress@wisconsin.gov

DNR Invites The Public To A Day Of Discovery

Proudly Sponsoring The Science By The River Event On Oct. 23

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to attend the department-sponsored Science By The River Event from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Ben Hansen Park in Wisconsin Rapids. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin Science Festival

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to attend the department-sponsored Science By The River Event from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Ben Hansen Park in Wisconsin Rapids.

This free event is part of statewide Wisconsin Science Festival celebration activities happening now through Oct. 24 to engage people of all ages in the exciting wonders of science and is hosted in partnership with Wood County Parks and Forestry, McMillan Memorial Library and UW-Madison Wood County Extension.

Get Outdoors For A Day Of Discovery

Attendees can enjoy a fall day of discovery participating in a mix of family-friendly science education and outdoor recreation activities. Enjoy a walk or bike ride on the river trail between Ben Hansen Park & Veteran’s Memorial Park. Along the trail will be educational booths and hands-on demonstrations including by the DNR on fisheries management and fish of the Wisconsin River.

Stop by the following areas for additional science fun: 

• Lyons Park Shelter from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. to learn from DNR educators on how to identify wildlife tracks and make your own clay molds of local tracks to take home. 
• B's Taphouse from noon – 3 p.m. to listen in to Tap Talks by DNR experts on mussel ecology, conservation and the water quality journey of the Wisconsin River.

View additional event details including the schedule of events, locations and presenters here.

Continue exploring the outdoors during Wisconsin Science Festival celebration activities by visiting the nearby Sandhill State Wildlife Area to participate in a scavenger hunt and self-guided tour of the landscape and George W. Mead State Wildlife Area to participate in a self-guided hike to learn about owls and their habitat. Visit the DNR's events webpage for further details. 

DNR Proudly Supports The Wisconsin Science Festival

Wisconsin’s natural resources contribute to the lives of all Wisconsinites. The DNR uses the best science and technology to manage these assets and values the role that science and technology play in securing these resources for the benefit of the state.

The DNR is proud to support and participate in Wisconsin Science Festival celebrations. Whether it’s through stargazing activities at many of our state parks, participation in a statewide water research project or connecting interested citizens to opportunities to help gather observations about their favorite nature spots, the DNR supports the goals and activities that comprise this free, statewide celebration of science.

Wisconsin has amazing natural resources and the Wisconsin Science Festival provides a fantastic opportunity to learn more about them. With hundreds of events in dozens of communities across the state, there are many ways to unleash curiosity, celebrate science and learn about nature.

Learn more about the Wisconsin Science Festival here.