The Wisconsin State Fair begins today, Aug. 1, and the DNR wants to see you there! Visit us in the north building of Exploratory Park, which we're turning into DNR Park with a wealth of fun, family-friendly exhibits and information to share about Wisconsin’s wildlife, plants and forests, waterways, water quality and beautiful outdoors. It’s the Year of Clean Drinking Water, so look for related activities plus the crowd favorite fish tanks to explore. On Aug. 9, there will be a special appearance by Smokey Bear as he celebrates his 75th birthday. The State Fair runs through Aug. 11 in West Allis. For hours, admission and parking information, entertainment schedule, map of the grounds and other details, check wistatefair.com.
DNRs urge boat wake awareness
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is teaming up with the Minnesota DNR for a public campaign to encourage awareness of the risks and problems of boat wakes. When boat operators throttle up and create wakes, it can put paddlers, anglers, swimmers, other boaters and shoreline property owners at risk from the sudden rough water. In the joint educational campaign — “Own your wake for everyone’s sake” — boaters are urged to take steps to reduce big wakes. The effort has been prompted by growing concern about excessive wakes. Potential natural resources violations may be confidentially reported through the 24-hour violation hotline, 800-847-9367 (800-TIP-WDNR) or via the online form. |
Statewide survey
sheds light on mussels
The first statewide survey of Wisconsin’s native mussels in 40 years shows encouraging signs. Needing clean water to survive, freshwater mussels are imperiled worldwide, and nearly half of Wisconsin’s 50 native species are endangered, threatened or of concern. The recent survey revealed the highest mussel populations and diversity in the St. Croix River, with high species diversity also on the Chippewa, Manitowish and Peshtigo rivers. Populations showed a rebound in the Wisconsin River, indicating water regulations over the last 50 years are paying off, and a massive cleanup project in the Lower Fox River and Green Bay shows promise for mussels. Unfortunately, other sites showed declining populations and 10 sites with historic mussel data had no populations. Waters in southern Wisconsin were most affected by decline, including the Rock and Pecatonia rivers. Mussels are vital for healthy waters, serving as natural filters to remove pollutants and providing food for other wildlife. For more on mussels, see DNR's Wisconsin Mussel Monitoring Program. And look for a related mussels story and photos in the Fall issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources, coming in September. |
Join the Bumble Bee Brigade
Did you know Wisconsin has 20 species of native bumble bees, including the federally endangered rusty patched bumble bee? Learn more about these important pollinators, where they live, and how to identify them from the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade.
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