WNR magazine NEWS & REVIEWS June 2018

Get ready for Free Fun Weekend!

Every year on the first weekend in June, Wisconsin makes a variety of outdoor activities throughout the state free and easy for users. Residents and visitors are encouraged to get out and try something new, or go back again to a favorite activity.

Free fun on June 2-3 this year includes:

• Free Fishing Weekend, with no license needed for fishing just about anywhere in Wisconsin (rules and limits apply). Free fishing clinics are hosted around the state and free equipment is available on loan at sites including DNR offices and partner groups.
• Free Fun Weekend at state properties, with free vehicle entry to state parks, forests and other areas.
• Free Trails Weekend, with state trail pass fees waived at all DNR-owned trails and some jointly run state trails. Free Trails Weekend also coincides with the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day on June 2, which features events nationwide.
• Free ATV/UTV Weekend on public trails open to use.

Want an idea of where to go on this free activity weekend? Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords “explore outdoors.”

OutWiGo kicks off OutWiGo is here! The new initiative from Wisconsin State Parks to promote good health through the great outdoors kicked off on May 17 with an event at Baraboo’s Mirror Lake State Park that included hiking, kayaking and standup paddleboarding. A variety of other OutWiGo activities are planned through the year. The idea is for people to read and share stories of outdoor wellness activities on DNR social media such as Facebook, YouTube and Instagram (#OutWiGo), and also to encourage 20,019 people by the start of 2019 to sign the OutWiGo pledge to “feel good in the great outdoors.” Check it out at dnr.wi.gov, keyword “OutWiGo.”

Befriending bats With white-nose syndrome continuing to plague Wisconsin’s bat populations, people are encouraged to help monitor bat numbers statewide. The Wisconsin Bat Program features many ways to get involved including events such as the Great Wisconsin Bat Count, June 1-3, and other activities. There also is information about roost monitoring, building a bat house, reporting sick or dead bats and more. In addition, the DNR website has vital information on Wisconsin’s bats including why it’s important to help save them. Go to dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “bats.”

Summer issue coming soon

Kirtland’s warbler recovery efforts, biking in Wisconsin's Northwoods, tales of historic 1900s paddling trips, state tern conservation and a look at lake leadership training — not to mention a special section timeline featuring 50 years of DNR dedication. It’s all part of the Summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources, available in mid-June. Be sure you don’t miss it: See wnrmag.com to subscribe today.

Join the battle against invasives

The Wisconsin Invasive Species Council, created by the Legislature to assist DNR in the fight against a variety of invasive species throughout the state, designates each June as Invasive Species Awareness Month. Residents can take action to help minimize the spread of the invasive plants, animals and diseases that harm our lands and waters. This includes aquatic invasive species (AIS), with rules governing the handling of bait when fishing and guidelines for boaters to “inspect, remove and drain” to avoid transporting destructive aquatic hitchhikers between water bodies. On land, restrictions on the transport of firewood are meant to stop the spread of the emerald ash borer, for example, while work to fight invasive plants is ongoing. For more on invasive species and how you can help control them, see dnr.wi.gov, keywords “invasive species.”