Conservation Digest

10/27/2024

Even as autumn is passing its peak, it's not too early to think spring.

Claytonia virginica Description: Morphology of Virginia Springbeauty (Claytonia virginica): Ecology of Virginia Springbeauty: Virginia springbeauty is a beautiful indicator of early spring and a key part of forest ecosystems, supporting early pollinators. Its...

10/23/2024

The people who inhabited the United States before European settlement did not have steel axes or plows. Their primary tool for managing the land was fire. They used that tool to performs a variety of tasks from increasing their food supply to providing for their defense and improving transportation. Indigenous fire shaped the American landscape for 10,000 years. In the process they vastly increased the biodiversity of the continent. See how indigenous fire created the North America that is our natural heritage today.

For many millenia, fire was integral to many Indigenous peoples’ way of life. This page describes ways Indigenous people used fire in the past, as well as current partnerships working to preserve cultural burns.

10/15/2024

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that due to prolonged drought conditions and potential for elevated fire danger throughout the fall, the agency is reinstating DNR burning permits by issuing a Special Fire Order in 13 Wisconsin counties.

The permit reinstatement will begin at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, in designated DNR protection areas until further notice.

The permit reinstatement applies to the following 13 extensive DNR protection area counties outside incorporated cities and villages: all of Columbia, Crawford, Green Lake, Marquette, Portage, Richland, Sauk, Waupaca and Waushara counties and portions of Oconto, Dane, Grant and Iowa counties.

A DNR annual burning permit is now required for burning in a barrel, a debris pile and grass or wooded areas as outlined by the permit, unless the ground is completely snow-covered. Before burning in these areas, anyone wishing to burn must obtain a DNR burn permit and then visit WisBURN for the current burn restrictions.

Traditionally, DNR burn permits are required in extensive protection areas from Jan. 1 through May 31, anytime the ground is not snow-covered. Reinstating permits allows the DNR to restrict burning on a given day during times of elevated fire danger.

10/05/2024

Fall is a great time to get out of the house and discover the natural beauty of Wisconsin. This new natural travel guide contains 400 great ideas to make your autumn memorable.

Bookstore shelves are crammed with travel guides for Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. There are hiking guides, camping guides, geological guides, fishing and hunting guides, canoeing and kayaking guides; even...

09/24/2024

Time for Wisconsin landowners to apply for assistance in 2025. https://conservationdigest.com/get-help-restoring-your-land/

08/20/2024

Celebrating today the 100th bird species visiting the squirrel farm. Probably an early migrant headed south.

Perhaps one of the easier flycatchers to identify in the notoriously difficult Empidonax genus, the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher sports yellowish underparts and a bold eyering, unlike others in the family. It is a bird of the boreal forests and bogs where its yellowish belly seems to disappear on its b...

07/16/2024

This is really good way to think about prescribed fire. https://conservationdigest.com/fire-in-a-box/

07/04/2024

The time to reduce wildfire risk here in Wisconsin is now! Ample rain this season means higher than average growth of invasive shrubs and unwanted saplings. Instead of shutting off fireworks, I will be trimming my woodland to reduce canopy cover and increase sunlight pe*******on to the soil. Nobody wants to celebrate Independence Day like this:

The Thompson fire broke out before noon Tuesday about 70 miles north of Sacramento, in and around the city of Oroville, in Butte County.

06/20/2024

You have three more opportunities next week to help endagered Karner blue butterflies in Wisconsin. Check out these important volunteer events.

You can help restore federally endangered Karner blue butterflies by volunteering to collect sundial lupine at this upcoming event.

06/12/2024

You can make a real difference.

You can help restore federally endangered Karner blue butterflies by volunteering to collect sundial lupine at this upcoming event.

06/04/2024

Check out this unique learning opportunity.

Ever thought about starting a sheep farm? Here is your chance to learn the basics of a successful sheep operation.

05/30/2024

Welcome back!

Biologists estimate there were about 10,000 whoopers in North America prior to 1700.The species was pushed to the brink of extinction by the middle 1900s due...

05/23/2024

Beaver Creek Reserve is sponsoring Freshwater Mussels 101 in Eau Claire Wisconsin on June 1st.
The Program will be held from 10am-1pm, at the Eau Claire Public Library (400 Eau Claire Street, Eau Claire, WI) at the Dabble Box Makerspace Room 039.
There will be a presentation at the library, then we will walk a few blocks to the park where we will observe mussels in a shallow area of the Chippewa River at Phoenix Park. Come prepared to be inside, outside, and to go wading (if you wish).
This program is run by the Beaver Creek Reserve's Citizen Science Center and is a program focused on enhancing knowledge of the distribution and abundance of these vital species.
The program is free and recommended for children 15 and up. Walk-ins are welcome.

If you have questions or interested in attending please contact:
Breanne Klockzien
CONTACT E-MAIL
[email protected]

Or go to the event site to register;
https://beavercreekreserve.doubleknot.com/registration/reglogon.aspx?signon=&formPresets=&activitykey=3014863
registration deadline is May 30, but Walk-ins are welcome.

05/21/2024

On May in the Baraboo hills.

The goldfinch emerges from the gloom of the Baraboo Range, flaring out as it comes to rest on the feeder. This May morning it is joined briefly by a riot...

05/18/2024

Here is a podcast that gives a fairly balanced perspective on prescribed fire. https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conservewisconsinpodcast/episodes/Prescribed-Fire---Another-tool-in-the-tool-belt-e2jpqq8/a-ab9cbv0

05/13/2024

Meeting Tonight! Sauk County Landowners interested in sharing labor, experience, and equipment to improve wildlife habitat on their property will meet tonight from 7:00-8:30 PM at UW Baraboo. The free event will be held in Room A237 of the Umhoefer building. Take Pine Street (old Hwy 12) north from Hwy 33. Turn right on Berkley Blvd and travel east four blocks. Turn left onto Connie Road. UW Baraboo is 1/4 mile north on the right.

05/06/2024

Sauk County landowners will get together to talk about ways to improve wildlife habitat, use prescribed fire, and deal with invasive shrubs on their proerty. This is a neighbor to neighbor group, not sponsored by government program or business.
Join us on Monday, May 13, 2024 from 7-8:30 PM in Room A237 of the Umhoefer building on the UW Baraboo campus. Take Pine Street (old Hwy 12) north from Hwy 33. Turn right on Berkley Blvd and travel east four blocks. Turn left onto Connie Road. UW Baraboo is 1/4 mile north on the right.

04/26/2024

Reducing wildfire risk, reducing ticks, improving hunting, timber stand improvement, controlling invasive shrubs, and attracting a wider variety of wildlife are just of the few of the benefits of wise land management. Sharing labor, equipment and experience with neighbors makes managing your land easier and more affordable.

Find out how you can improve conservation on your property and meet others like you. Folks from around Sauk County will get together on Monday evening, May 13, 2024 from 7-8:30 PM to talk about what we want to do on our land and how we can work together to make it happen.

This is about neighbor helping neighbor. It is not a government official telling us what we have to do. Nor is it a hunting guru selling the latest gimmick for harvesting that 14 point buck. It is us sharing what we know and want; and how to get there.

This first meeting will be at UW Baraboo campus on 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, WI 53913. Look for signs directing you to the meeting room. Take Pine Street (old Hwy 12) north from Hwy 33. Turn right on Berkley Blvd and travel east four blocks. Turn left onto Connie Road. UW Baraboo is 1/4 mile north on the right.