April 2019VOLUME 46NUMBER 4

Although huge sums of money are involved in any basis of calculation, the most important values of forest recreation are not susceptible of measurement in monetary terms. They are concerned with such intangible considerations as

inspiration, aesthetic enjoyment, and a gain in understanding.

Stewardship Program Reauthorization Vital to Sportsmen and Women

George Meyer and Jennifer Hauser, Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Wisconsin sportsmen and women value the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program be-cause over 800,000 acres of conservation land has been protected since the program began in 1989. For hunters, trappers, and anglers, Stewardship means better habitat for fish and wildlife and more public access.

But the Stewardship Program will end on June 30, 2020 unless it is reauthorized in the state budget that legislators and Governor Evers are now developing. Wisconsin sportsmen and women should contact their legislators and Governor Evers and ask them to continue the Stewardship Program.

The value of Stewardship to Wisconsin’s sporting heritage is tremendous, starting with the preservation of natural areas and wildlife habitat. Stewardship’s goal in acquiring land or easements includes protecting threatened natural resources, improving water quality and fisheries, connecting forests and trail systems, and very importantly providing public access. Stewardship provides space for Wisconsin’s sporting heritage to flourish.

For Wisconsin hunters, trappers and anglers, public access to conservation land is vital. As Stewardship has matured, public access has become a key consideration in land purchases. The result is that 99% of Stewardship land purchases in the last ten years have public access, opening over a quarter-million acres to the public for hunting, fishing and trapping.

Work done by Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited illustrates the value of partnership in maximizing results for waterfowl habitat. Ducks Unlimited has partnered with Stewardship and local community groups to bring over $36 million federal dollars back to Wisconsin through the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA). Since 1989, Wisconsin has had 104 NAWCA projects completed or underway, conserving 173,838 acres of wetland habitat.

The benefit to habitat and public access also shows in work done by Wisconsin Trout Unlimited through the Stewardship Streambank Protection Program. Throughout Wisconsin’s 13,000 miles of classified trout water, the DNR and Trout Unlimited have restored trout habitat by regrading streambanks (which also helps prevent flooding), removing silt, and providing structure. Because of the Streambank Protection Program, anglers now have gained access to 276 miles of public fishing easements. One example is in Grant County, where the Harry & Laura Nohr Trout Unlimited Chapter has worked closely with the DNR and local farmers to restore 10 miles of Blue River streambank, equating to 400 acres of restored habitat along the river. All this work makes it more likely that the 143,000 trout fisherman who purchased a trout stamp in 2018, will return in 2019.

Stewardship has also been a critical partner in funding Forest Legacy

projects. Since Wisconsin’s Forest Legacy Program began in 2002, about 250,000 acres of forestland have been protected, securing benefits for wildlife, our economy, and public access. While the land remains in private ownership, Stewardship funds purchase a perpetual access right to the property for hunting, fishing and trapping, along with a commitment that the land will be managed in sustainable forestry. Wisconsin is first in paper production in the country, employing more than 100,000 people directly and indirectly. A strong forest economy needs the large tracts of healthy and productive forests guaranteed by the Stewardship program. The lands that Stewardship protects are also critically important to the Wisconsin’s annual $14 billion outdoor recreation economy.

Stewardship funds also provide the infrastructure that enables sportsmen and women to access recreational land and water. It funds projects like boat launch construction and repair, fishing piers, road access, trail development and maintenance, restroom facilities, gravel parking areas, and signage.

Wisconsin sportsmen and women need the Governor and the Legislature to work together to reauthorize the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund in the current state budget so it does not expire on June 30, 2020. Wisconsin’s hunting, fishing and trapping heritage depends on public land for future generations.

It is up to you as a sportsman or woman to contact your state legislators to request their support for Stewardship. If you are unsure who your state representative and senator is, you can enter your address on the Legislature’s homepage, http://legis.wisconsin.gov, or call the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-362-9472. Governor Evers can be reached at 608-266-1212 or EversInfo@wisconsin.gov

The Dunnville Bottoms is one a hundreds of areas that are available to Wisconsinites due to the Stewardship Program.

President’s ReportMarch 2019

Greetings,The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation annual meeting on April 12th

and 13th is just around the corner, and this year marks our 70th year of serving the sportsmen and women of Wisconsin. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old friends as well as meeting new ones this year. It seems like just yesterday I was a new delegate being intro-duced to some of the most respected conservationists in Wisconsin, and it humbles me to have the support of so many of these stalwarts as I take on the responsibilities of being the WWF President.

At this time, I feel compelled to think all those who have supported me, and the work and tutelage of Bill Tollard, George and Betty Borchert, and George Meyer for preparing me for these next two years of service to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation and all its affiliates.

This year brings a change not only to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, but to the state of Wisconsin itself. There is a lot of op-timism with the election of Tony Evers. However, in his February 28th budget, he made no mention of chronic wasting disease. Now

is the time sportsmen and women of Wisconsin need to stand up and contact their legislators and voice their opinion, to show the impor-tance of deer, deer hunting, and our sporting heritage. If we work together, we can accomplish this.

Until our next meeting keep your nose to the wind and your eyes on the hori-zon.

Craig Challoner President

-Bob Marshall

WISCONSERVATION April 20192

WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRSAnnual Meeting Dave Verhage 715-344-3497 daviddebiv@charter.netAwards Lil Pipping 920-876-4312 lpipping@wi.rr.comBanquet Michelle Graff 608-797-1292 graffmm68@gmail.comBylaws Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netCalendar OpenConservation Leadership Corps Lil Pipping 920-876-4312 lpipping@wi.rr.comDog Andy Lewandowski 262-527-1988 hcinc53150@aol.comEducation Paul Chandler 715-824-2161 Endangered Resources Carl Gierke 920-986-3272 cgierke1@outlook.comEnvironment Tom Johnson 859-285-8978 tdjohn1@mac.comForestry and Parks Jerry Knuth 715-340-5414 knuth0628@sbcglobal.netGreat Lakes Keith Pamperin 920-494-3990 kjpamperin@aol.comInland Fisheries Gordy Merz 262-695-0060 fishb8s@aol.comMembership Kevyn Quamme 608-209-3842Nominating Jerry Knuth 715-344-0017 knuth0628@sbcglobal.netScholarship Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 geo44@charter.netShooting Range Bill Tollard 920-379-3429 bill@adashunjones.comWaterfowl Mark Kakatsch 414-688-8936 horicon69@gmail.comWildlife Ralph Fritsch 715-850-2456Wisconservation Jim Swanson 715-232-8266 wisconservationed@wwt.net

OFFICE PHONE:800-897-4161 - Toll Free

WEB PAGE ADDRESS:www.wiwf.org

OFFICEADDRESS: PO Box 460

Poynette, WI 53955

WisconservationWISCONSERVATION (USPS 108-190 ISSN 0164-3649) is published monthly for $25 per year by Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 213 North Main Street, Suite 100, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. Periodical postage paid at Poynette, WI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: WISCONSERVATION, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. All communications regarding advertising, editorial, circulation and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation matters should be sent to PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955. Permission to reprint articles is normally given providing proper credit is given both publication and author. Views expressed by freelance writers are their own and do not necessarily represent those of the publication or the WWF.

$25.00 of annual dues paid to Wisconsin Wildlife Federation entitles members to one year’s subscription to Wisconservation. One year’s subscription to non-members—$25.00.

Printed by Ripon Printers, 656 S. Douglas St., Ripon, WI 54971.

WISCONSERVATION EDITORJim Swanson

Phone: (715) 232-8266wisconservationed@wwt.net

ASSOCIATE EDITORRalph Fritsch

(715) 850-2456

* * * OFFICERS * * *

President Bill Tollard, 4630 Friedrich Ave., Omro, WI 54963, (920) 379-3429. Email: bill@adashunjones.com

First Vice President Craig Challoner, 3880 2nd Street Road, Omro, WI 54963, (920) 379-3255 Email: craig.challoner@gmail.com

Second Vice President Pat Quaintance, 88255 Happy Hollow Road, Bayfield, WI, 54814, (715) 209-1799. Email: pquaintance@centurytel.net

Secretary Connie Polzin, N10961 State Hwy 17, Gleason, WI, 54435, (715) 360-3903 Email: noisycreek71@gmail.com

Treasurer Dave Verhage, 1111 Chadwick Ct., Plover, WI 54467, (715) 344-3497. Email: daviddebiv@charter.net

DISTRICT 7Dave Chingway, Watertown, WI, (920) 261-0379.Kevyn Quamme, Sun Prairie, WI, (608) 209-3842.Mike Meyer, Watertown, WI, (920) 342-9439.

DISTRICT 8Greg Kronschnabel, Dousman, WI, (262) 965-3057.Don Camplin, North Prairie, WI, (262) 392-4183.Steve Brasch, Dousman, WI, (262) 392-4196.

DISTRICT 9Rick Lazarczyk, West Allis, WI, (414) 321-5750.Gordon Merz, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 695-0060.Tracy Czechan, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 442-2583.

DISTRICT 10Jeff Johnson, North Freedom, WI, (608) 434-3896.Tom Hauge, Prairie Du Sac, WI (608) 477-0537.Mark LaBarbera, Hazel Green, WI (520) 730-9252

DISTRICT 11Keith Pamperin, Green Bay, WI, (920) 494-3990.Elmer Schill, DePere, WI, (920) 336-8117.Dick Baudhuin, Sturgeon Bay, WI (920) 743-2581.

DISTRICT 12Bob Ellingson, Lakewood, WI, (715) 276-7129.Thomas Johnston, Niagara, WI, (859) 285-8978.Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI, (715)-745-6382

N.W.F. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVEJason Dinsmore, 199 Kristin Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Office: (507) 206-3732. Cell: (517) 204-8962. Email: dinsmorej@nwf.org.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS

Bill Tollard, Omro, WI, 920-379-3429 Andy Lewandowski, Muskego, WI, 262-679-1057Carolyn Brown, Milton, WI, 608-247-2514Matt Lallemont, Tomahawk, WI, 715-218-5628Mark Kakatsch, Oconomowoc, WI, 414-688-8936Alexis K Allworden, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 715-451-1353Maegan Loka, Tomahawk, WI, 715-612-0019Sawyer Boldt, Sheboygan Falls, WI, 920-917-0546Leah Bell, Stevens Point, WI, 262-305-6573Marco Mascitti, Plover, WIAlex Mertig, Mason, WI, 715-413-0213Hunter Nicholai, Pleasant Prairie, WI, 262-308-8214Sam Sauber, Sycamore, IL, 815-762-0766Mitt Schaeffer, Oshkosh, WI, 920-231-3142Lauren Soergel, Stevens Point, WI, 715-928-1757Quintien Tyra, Stevens Point, WI, 414-841-9962

HONORARY DIRECTORSArt JorgensonCatherine Koss, Land O’ Lakes, WIVern ManglessJim Mense, Menomonie, WIRay RheinschmidtJ. L. SchneiderBetty Schneider-Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, 608-688-3122Art Seidel, Brookfield, WI, 262-781-5469Al Kube, Cochrane, WI, 608-626-3531Joe Zanter, Sparta, WIBucky Kilishek, Menasha, WI, 920-734-8774Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WIMary Cassidy, Plainfield, WIKen Zettlemeier, Waukesha, WI, 262-547-2802Norm Moes, Green Bay, WI, 920-660-0029Dan Gries, Menasha, WI, 920-725-4092

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTSJoseph A. Gruber, Campbellsport, WIDr. Dan Trainer, UW-Stevens PointLes Voigt

PAST PRESIDENTSGeorge Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, 920-539-7790John Wagner, Oconomowoc, WI, 262-490-7213Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI, 715-745-6382Jack Nissen, Dousman, WI, 262-370-8154Lil Pipping, Elkhart Lake, WI, 920-876-4312Corky Meyer, Kewaskum, WI, 262-692-6054Jerry Knuth, Plover, WI, 715-340-5414James Weishan, Cambria, WI, 608-429-4610Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WIRussell Hitz, Wheeler, WI, 715-632-2143Jim Baldock, West Bend, WI, 262-335-3946Ralph Fritsch, Townsend, WI, 715-850-2456Robert Miller, Sparta, WI, 608-269-6215Doug Olson, Viroqua, WIDoug Johnson, Hartford, WIJames Wareing, Sussex, WILeo RoetheBill BuckleyDick HempBob LachmundJerry LaudonRon PiskulaHarold SpencerLes Woerpel

STATE AFFILIATESDIRECTORS/REPRESENTATIVES

American Wild Turkey Hunting Dog AssociationJon Freis, Maribel, WI, 920-776-1272

Challenge The Outdoors, Inc.Larry Laehn, Milton, WI, 920-540-9927

Izaak Walton League, Bill Cook ChapterRonald Macdonald, Stevens Point, WI, 715-344-0054

Sturgeon for Tomorrow, North ChapterWayne Hoelzel, Menasha, WI, 920-725-1206

Trout Unlimited, Green Bay ChapterPaul Kruse, Green Bay, WI, 920-494-4220

Walleyes for Tomorrow, Inc.Michael Arrowood, Oakfield, WI, 920-922-0905

WI Association of Field Trial ClubsBilly Ploucher, Appleton, WI, 920-257-4816

WI Association of Sporting Dog ClubsPat Quaintance, 715-779-5104

WI Association of Beagle ClubsPhil Secker, Germantown, WI, 262-253-3602

WI Coon Hunters AssociationDennis Roehrborn, Plymouth, WI, 920-467-3845

WI Council of Sportfishing OrganizationsJohn Durben, Cecil, WI, 715-745-2248

WI Deer Hunters Inc.Dennis Hoffman, Neshkoro, WI, 920-293-4098

WI Federation of Great Lake Sport Fishing ClubsLynn Davis, Kenosha, WI, wfglsfc@gmail.com

WI Hunter Ed Instructor AssociationJohn Plenke, Germantown, WI, 262-305-6648

WI Muzzleloaders AssociationCarolyn Brown, Milton, WI, 608-868-2514

WI Sharp Tailed Grouse SocietyJim Evrard, Grantsburg, WI, 715-463-2446

WI Taxidermist AssociationBucky/Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WI, 920-734-8774

WI Trappers AssociationScott McAuley, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 608-354-2725

WI Woodland Owners AssociationTom Jacobs, Crivitz, WI, 715-856-6340

Wings Over WIBurt Bushke, Mayville, WI, 920-387-5198

WI Chapter American Fisheries SocietyThomas Slawski, New Berlin, WI

WI Division – Izaak Walton League of AmericaGeorge Guyant, Amherst Junction, WI, 715-824-4205

WI Trapshooting AssociationBruce Stitely, Tomahawk, WI, 715-453-5271

WI Waterfowl AssociationBruce Urben, Pulaski, WI, 920-660-2773

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DISTRICT 1Ken Lundberg, Lake Nebagamon, WI, (715) 374-3404.Pat Quaintance, Bayfield, WI, (715) 779-5104.Cody Kamrowski, Shell Lake, WI, (715) 896-5445.

DISTRICT 2Laurie Groskopf, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 453-6301.Nick Schertz, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 966-6116.Connie Polzin, Gleason, WI, (715) 360-3903.

DISTRICT 3Jim Swanson, Menomonie, WI, (715) 232-8266.Dean Borofka, Rice Lake, WI, (715) 234-6303.Scott Humrickhouse, Altona, WI, (715) 833-7635.

DISTRICT 4Delbert Dietzler, Rudolph, WI, (715) 421-2591.Dave Verhage, Plover, WI, (715) 344-3497.Paul M. Chandler, Amherst, WI, (715) 824-2161.

DISTRICT 5Carl Gierke, Shiocton, WI, (920) 986-3272.Craig Challoner, Omro, WI.Jeff O’Brien, Shawano, WI, (715) 853-3392.

DISTRICT 6John Wetzel, Holmen, WI, (608) 526-4238.Michelle Graff, LaCrosse, WI, (608) 797-1292.Open

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LEGISLATIONGeorge Meyer, 201 Randolph Dr., Madison, WI 53717, (608) 516-5545. Email: georgemeyer@ tds.net

BUSINESS MANAGERRuth Ann Lee, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955, (608) 635-0600. Email: ruthann@wiwf.org

WISCONSERVATION April 20193

Congress Should Counter Budget Proposal with Investments in Resilience,

Wildlife Conservation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Con-gress should invest in criti-cal conservation programs

in response to the president’s budget proposal, the National Wildlife Federa-tion said today. The bipartisan John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, Farm Bill, wildfire funding fix and Water Resources Devel-opment Act all show how collaborative and common-sense conservation ideas can overwhelmingly pass and lead to real benefits for wildlife, public lands, clean water and our natural resources.

“At a time when we’re seeing record megafires and drought conditions in the West, catastrophic hurricanes on our coasts and islands, severe weather and flooding inland, and numerous species facing extinction, this is the wrong time to rollback conservation and resilience programs. Now is the time to invest in collaborative conservation efforts, like those in the 2018 Farm Bill and those

being debated around wildlife and natu-ral infrastructure,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wild-life Federation. “While the proposed budget will be dead on arrival, we urge Congress to engage in a real, honest con-servation about investing in bipartisan natural solutions.”

Great Lakes Advocates Look to Congress to Restore Funding

ANN ARBOR, MICH. (March 14, 2019) – Great Lakes advo-cates are turning to the U.S.

Congress to restore funding to core clean water programs, following the release of President Trump’s budget, which rec-ommended steep cuts in programs that protect drinking water. The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and its member groups are looking to work with Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate to keep Great Lakes restoration on track.

“We are disappointed by these cuts, but the president does not have the final word in the federal budget,” said Chad Lord, policy director, Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition. “We look forward to working with bipartisan leaders in Congress to restore funding for these key programs that protect our drinking water, jobs, and way of life.”

President Trump’s proposed budget contains steep cuts to the Environmen-tal Protection Agency budget as well as to restoration funding. The proposed budget includes:

• $30 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative ($270 mil-lion less than FY19 funding). The program provides funding to fight invasive species, clean up toxic pol-lution, restore fish and wildlife hab-itat, and reduce polluted runoff.

• $1.12 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund ($574 mil-lion less than FY19 funding). The SRF programs provide low-interest loans to communities to invest in sewage and drinking water infra-structure projects.

• $863 million for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund ($300 million less than FY19 fund-ing)

• $153.7 million for Clean Water State and Tribal Grants, Sec. 106 ($77.1 million less than FY19 fund-ing). State grants provide resources to states and tribes to address wa-ter pollution challenges at the state level.

• No funding for Non-point Pol-lution State and Tribal Grants, Sec. 319 ($170.9 million less than FY19 funding)

• No funding for Sea Grant Re-search ($68 million less than FY19 funding). These programs work with universities to provide moni-toring and research on the Great Lakes.

• $6.068 billion for the Environ-mental Protection Agency ($2.76 billion less than FY19 funding). The EPA is the lead agency in carrying out Great Lakes restoration activi-ties.

The administration provides a bud-get blueprint each spring to provide a starting point for budget debates in Con-gress. For the third year in a row, Presi-dent Trump has proposed cutting funds to the Great Lakes Restoration Initia-tive and the Environmental Protection Agency. Congressional appropriators are

in charge of setting the final budget each year, and for the last two budget cycles a bipartisan group of Representatives and Senators has restored funding.

“Congressional leaders know that restoration investments are produc-ing results for the environment and the economy,” said Gildo Tori, acting chief of policy, Ducks Unlimited. “We will continue to work with Congress to fund these vital programs, because we know cutting funding will only make projects more difficult and more expensive the longer we wait.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition and its members are emphasiz-ing the need for more federal investment in water infrastructure. More than $179 billion is needed to fix and modernize drinking water and waste water infra-structure over the next 20 years to meet clean water goals in the states of Minne-sota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michi-gan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

“At a time when aging infrastructure and advocacy for clean, safe drinking water are bringing together rural and urban communities across Wisconsin, we should be thinking of ways to do more to assist vulnerable communities to have safe and clean drinking water rather than taking away opportunities to produce meaningful solutions,” said Brenda Coley, co-executive director, Milwaukee Water Commons.

Great Lakes advocates are also look-ing for federal leaders to tackle one of the most vexing problems in the region—harmful algal blooms that contaminate drinking water and hurt outdoor recre-ation.

“Polluted runoff has to be a top prior-ity,” said Kristy Meyer, vice president of policy, natural resource, Ohio Environmental Council. “The states are on the front lines, but cannot handle this serious threat alone. It’s vital that the federal government not pull the plug on investments that support state-based solutions that reduce fertilizer and ma-nure runoff that contaminates streams, rivers, and eventually Lake Erie and the other Great Lakes.”

The Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition will be working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to restore funding. The Coalition is asking for:

• $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (same as FY19 funding)

• $5.1 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund ($3.4 billion increase over FY19 funding)

• $3.5 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund ($2.3 billion increase over FY19 funding)

• $231 million for Clean Water State and Tribal Grants, Sec. 106 (same funding as FY19)

• $171 million for Non-point Pollution State and Tribal Grants, Sec. 319 (same funding as FY19)

• $93.5 million for Sea Grant Research ($25.5 million increase over FY19 funding)

Special message from the Sea Grant director

March 11, 2019

Today, the administration re-leased details of a proposed Fis-cal Year (FY) 20 federal budget.

As expected and as it proposed for FY 18 and FY 19, the administration is call-ing for elimination of the National Sea Grant College Program, and therefore Wisconsin Sea Grant.

In previous years, we have been deep-ly grateful for the confidence members of Congress have shown in our ability to make a difference in coastal commu-nities and on behalf of the Great Lakes themselves. The two successive years of proposed elimination had sparked an outpouring of support for Sea Grant and the funds were restored. We hope that will again happen for FY 20 after many stakeholders, partners, collabora-tors and friends speak up. They know full well that Sea Grant funds lakes Michigan and Superior research, and the application of the research to ensure the sustainable use of these crown jew-els that underpin the quality of life and economy of our state. We are also deeply grateful for that confidence in our work.

Wisconsin Sea Grant can demonstrate over and over the merit of its efforts through this federal-state program that

is locally focused to serve coastal commu-nities. There are numbers: From 2016 to 2018, Sea Grant received $3.6 million in core federal dollars that were matched by $1.8 million in state investment. That leveraged investments of $2.9 mil-lion in additional state, federal and out-side funding. Currently, those funds are supporting 19 Sea Grant research proj-ects on eight Wisconsin campuses and providing statewide outreach through extension activities. Initiatives include assessments of flood risk; conducting research on and providing awareness training related to dangerous waves and rip currents; providing assistance to the shipping industry to maximize its infra-structure; exploration of new harvest methods for commercial anglers; and the transfer of skills and knowledge to the state’s growing $21 million-aquaculture industry.

If you would like to make a comment to members of Congress regarding the value of Sea Grant, you can find your House of Representatives member at house.gov/representatives/find. Find your senators at senate.gov.

Thank you, Jim Hurley

Director, Wisconsin Sea Grant

WWF members Cody Kamrowski and Jim Swanson represented the WWF at the 8th Annual Red Cedar Water Shed Conference. Some of the Keynote speakers includ-ed members of the Fox Demo Farms who detailed their efforts to implement water friendly farming practices int he Lower Fox River drainage. And David Montgomery, geomorphology professor and author of three books that describe the destruction of soils over the millennium and successful ways to restore soil health.

WISCONSERVATION April 20194

A Victory for Public Lands, Conservation and Bipartisanship

DENVER (March 12, 2019) — By signing the John D. Dingell Jr. Conservation, Management

and Recreation Act, President Donald Trump has affirmed the importance of public lands, conservation and outdoor recreation. He has also guaranteed the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund is America’s most beloved land conservation program – and for good rea-son,” said Tracy Stone-Manning, associ-ate vice-president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation. “This law ends the uncertainty around the pro-gram and ensures it will endure for gen-erations to come. This milestone ironi-cally coincides with the release of the administration’s budget, which shows the president is not putting his money where his mouth is. He recommended just $8 million for land purchase — a pit-tance of what is needed to provide public access and protect our resources.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund uses fees from offshore oil drilling to fund habitat protection and outdoor recreation projects in virtually every county in America. Annually, those roy-alties total more than $900 million — all of which are supposed to be used for land and water conservation.

“The next step is to make sure Con-gress fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund in the future,” said Stone-Manning. “For too long, money has been siphoned away for pet proj-ects, leaving conservation and recreation plans under-funded. That practice must stop.”

In addition to the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Act includes more than 100 individual bills that ben-efit every state in the country. It des-ignates more than 1.3 million acres of wilderness, protects 400 miles of river and creates four new national monu-ments. It also prevents mining in 30,000 acres adjacent to the Yellowstone River in Montana.

The bill passed both the House and Senate last month by overwhelming margins. “The broad bipartisan support of this bill shows that protecting natural resources is a cause that unites Ameri-cans from all walks of life and political stripes,” said Stone-Manning.

The bill was named in honor of former Congressman John Dingell who died last month. The Michigan Democrat was a lifelong outdoorsman and sponsored many of the nation’s landmark conser-vation bills during his 59 years in Con-gress.

Aroline Schmitt Pioneering Woman Conservationist Honored during

Women’s History Month

March was Women’s History Month. Appropriately, this year the Wisconsin Conser-

vation Hall of Fame (www.wchf.org) will be inducting on May 13, 2019, a woman infamous for her stand on sustainable forestry. Her name was Aroline Schmitt.

Aroline Schmitt feared no one. She took the message of sustainable forest-ry to industrial foresters, a group that didn’t see eye-to-eye with her. “She was up against clear-cutting,” her daughter Maxine Schmitt Roberts said. “They couldn’t intimidate her. She was short, but she’d stand there and tell them off. My dad would sweat those out, but he was very proud of her.”

Aroline was a pioneering woman and citizen conservationist, who worked in a man’s world during the 1930-1960s. She advanced sustainable forestry and promoted fledgling conservation organi-zations and initiatives in Wisconsin and the nation. She helped organize and led the Citizens Natural Resources Associa-tion, which was the leading organization involved with banning DDT in Wiscon-sin. She was involved with the Wiscon-sin Garden Club Federation in many capacities, including chairing the conser-vation committee and directing Junior Garden Clubs.

US Forest Service

Gifford Pinchot, the Father of For-estry, persuaded Aroline to go to work for the US Forest Service as a timber cruiser during Word War II. “She trav-eled all over the country, and Alaska, and cruised timber. She worked in the woods. It was her job to help set aside forests for the war. She was all over the country, all the time,” said her daughter.

Roberts also recalled stories of con-frontations during those timber cruising days. “A number of times, she would run into people with guns. They weren’t go-ing to let her in. Much of the time, she’d be with one of the forest rangers in that area, however.”

The travel also took its toll on Schmitt’s health. “She used to travel on troop trains during the war. Only the sol-diers could sit down. She would stand up all the way home, a lot of times through the night and into the day,” her daughter said.

She continued to work for the US For-est Service in various capacities after the war, Roberts said. Newspaper clippings in the Wisconsin Historical Society col-lection note Schmitt was called upon to help set up conservation departments in various states and formulate plans for forest management and control. She was involved in this professional activity even though she had no formal training or degree in forestry.

Education and Achievements

Trained as a nurse, she got her love of forestry from her lumber baron grand-father and her mother. Her mother was a botanist, and Aroline learned a basic appreciation and love of the fields and forests from her as a child growing up in the forests of Maine.

A persuasive speaker and writer, Arline advocated for strong natural re-sources policy and traveled the State to participant in important meetings and legislative hearings. She worked arm-in-arm with other Wisconsin conservation heroes including Aldo Leopold, William Aberg, and Wilhelmine La Budde.

Schmitt played a pivotal role in pro-tecting the Flambeau River State Forest and its old growth hemlock-hardwood forests, and in the transfer of forested lands to the Wisconsin Conservation Commission (now WDNR). She also helped protect the Menominee Tribal Forest by lobbying for the rights of the Menominee Indians during a tense bat-tle over termination of the tribe’s reser-vation status in the 1950s and 60s, and served as a consultant to the tribe until 1971.

She helped establish several conserva-tion facilities in Wisconsin, including the educational program Trees for Tomorrow and the US Forest Service’s Rhinelander Experimental Forest-Northern Research Center. She also taught correspondence forestry classes on school forestry for the Michigan Extension Service.

Aroline received awards and recog-nition for her knowledge, tenacity and dedication. Despite health challenges for much of her life, Aroline Schmitt fought with determination and charisma to advance major conservation policies af-fecting Wisconsin’s natural heritage and America’s sustainable forestry practices.

Induction Ceremony

Other Wisconsin heroes to be induct-ed with Aroline are UW-Madison Profes-sor Scott Craven who is a frequent Wis-consin Public Radio guest on wildlife and Don L Johnson who was a prolific out-doors writer for the Milwaukee-Sentinel for a variety of environmental causes. The ceremony and all activities related to the induction will be held on April 13, 2019 at the Atrium in SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The public is invited.

A coffee reception will be held at 12:30 p.m. prior to the 2:oo p.m. Induction Cer-emony. Following the ceremony, there will be a dinner at 4:30 p.m. The Induc-tion Ceremony and Coffee Reception are free and open to the public. Reservations for dinner ($25 per person) may be made online or by calling Schmeeckle Reserve at 715-346-4992.

New CWD detection in a wild deer harvested in Marquette County during

the 2018 gun deer season

MADISON - The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that a wild deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease in southeast Marquette County. The CWD-positive deer was an adult doe harvested

during the 2018 gun deer season and tested as part of disease surveillance efforts. This is the first CWD positive wild deer for Marquette County.

State law requires that the Wisconsin DNR enact a ban on feeding and baiting of deer in counties or portions of counties within a 10-mile radius of a captive or free-roaming domestic or wild animal that tests positive for CWD or tuberculosis. As re-quired by law, this will create a three-year baiting and feeding ban in Marquette Coun-ty and a two-year baiting and feeding ban for Green Lake County beginning March 1, 2019. This detection will also designate Green Lake County as a CWD-affected county.

“We are committed to working closely with local communities, including the citizen-based County Deer Advisory Councils as we explore future management options for this disease in Marquette and surrounding counties,” said Jeff Pritzl, DNR Northeast District wildlife supervisor.

In response to the detection of these CWD positive deer, the department will:• Work with local County Deer Advisory Council members from the counties

impacted by this detection.• Continue surveillance activities to assess disease distribution and prevalence

including: - Encourage reporting of sick deer - Sample vehicle-killed adult deer - Sample adult deer harvested under agricultural damage permits - Sample adult deer harvested under urban deer hunts in the area • Continue to establish CWD sampling locations during the 2019 deer seasons.

As has been demonstrated in the past in other parts of the state, local citizen in-volvement in the decision-making process as well as management actions to address this CWD detection will have the greatest potential for success.

For more information regarding baiting and feeding regulations and CWD in Wis-consin, and how to have adult deer tested during the hunting seasons, visit the DNR’s website, dnr.wi.gov, and search “bait and feeding” and “CWD sampling” respectively. To report a sick deer on the landscape, search keywords “sick deer” or contact a local wildlife biologist.

Fat Bats Withstand Effects of White-nose Syndrome

AUSTIN, TX– Bat Conservation International (BCI) announced today that two of its esteemed scientists, Tina Cheng and Winifred Frick, published a paper in the Journal of Animal Ecology titled, “Higher Fat Stores Contribute

to the Persistence of Little Brown Bat Populations with White-nose Syndrome.” While White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has pushed some bat popula-tions to extinction, these researchers have found that higher fat stores are helping some little brown bats to survive this deadly disease.

WNS is a debilitating disease that has decimated bat pop-ulations throughout North America. The disease is caused by a fungal pathogen that infects the skin of hibernating bats, often appearing as white fuzzy patches on their noses and wings. Eventually, WNS causes bats to burn through stored fat reserves, resulting in death by starvation.

The paper’s authors set out to learn more about why cer-tain populations of little brown bats in the Northeastern United States are persisting while afflicted with WNS, even after initial population declines. They wanted to determine if these populations of bats were protected by increased fat stores in winter or if they were resistant to or escaping in-fection. The researchers collected data on disease status and fat stores from six remnant little brown bat colonies, spe-cifically comparing data from 2009, when WNS first hit, to 2016, several years after these bat colonies started to show signs of stabilization from WNS.

“Understanding how bats are able to survive WNS is important for helping us to strategically help other affected bat colonies,” said Cheng. “What’s interesting about these surviving little brown bats is that they are using a physiological mechanism of

building up higher winter fat stores that helps them tolerate this disease. It shows that these bats have a great deal of resilience, and that other affected colonies may also be able to survive if we can give them a helping hand.”

This study suggests that helping bats to survive WNS may require a holistic ap-proach. In lieu of extinguishing or reducing the fungal pathogen, people can help bats by improv-ing their body condition in preparation for winter. Such actions could include protecting critical for-aging habitats, creating prey patches where bats forage, and restoring critical foraging habitats, such as wetlands.

Bats, such as the little brown bat, play a criti-cal role in our ecosystem as consumers of insects, including agricultural pests. Understanding how bats respond to huge perturbations, such as WNS, contributes to our greater understanding of how we can protect these and other affected colonies.

The co-authors of the paper include research-ers and scientists from various academic institu-tions and organizations including University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Arizona State Univer-sity, US Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Winnipeg, and the University of California, Santa

Cruz.Key findings from the paper:• Correlations found between higher body fat in early winter and the persis

tence of WNS-affected populations• Higher fat stores could reduce WNS mortality rates by 58% to 70%

Little Brown Bats show symptoms of White-nose Syndrome. Photo by Michael Schirmacher, BCI

WISCONSERVATION April 20195

Public has even greater opportunities to weigh in on proposed fish and wildlife

rules at this year’s Spring Hearings

MADISON- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Re-sources Fish and Wildlife

Spring Hearings & Wisconsin Conserva-tion Congress’ Annual County Meetings will be held in each county of the state, on Monday, April 8, starting at 7 p.m. People interested in natural resources management will have the opportunity to provide their input and testimony on proposed rule changes and advisory questions relating to conservation and fish and wildlife management in Wiscon-sin.

This year’s Spring Hearings will offer additional opportunity for the public to weigh in. The DNR and WCC will pro-vide an online option for input for those people who aren’t able to attend a hear-ing in person or for those who’d rather provide input at the hearing using their smart phone. For security, and to ensure the integrity of the results, individuals will be required to sign in to use the on-line version, just as they do in person. People who want to attend in person can find meeting locations on page ???

The 2019 Spring Hearing question-naire [PDF] is available by searching the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords “Spring Hearings.” An online input form will go live at 7 p.m. on April 8 on that page and remain open until 7 p.m. on April 11.

“This is the first year we have offered an alternate way for citizens to provide feedback on the Spring Hearing ques-tions,” said Larry Bonde, Chair of the WCC. “We know there are citizens who work second shift, have little children at home, are farming, or for other vari-ous reasons can’t physically be there, but want to be heard. We are excited to provide a greater opportunity for input to those people who want to be a part of the process but otherwise couldn’t par-ticipate.”

People who attend a hearing in per-son but would rather provide their input using the online option instead of the paper form, can choose to get a random verifiable number (RVN) at the hear-

ing instead of an input form. The RVN can then be entered into the online form when prompted. Providing an RVN will allow your input to be compiled along with the input provided by the in-person attendees in the county in which you at-tended. People who are unable to attend a hearing can still provide their input us-ing the online tool. Responses gathered this way (without a random verifiable number) will be compiled and considered as part of the overall input (not county specific).

“We have security systems in place to identify any inappropriate use of the online system and we will continuously monitor the system for intentional mis-use. The DNR and the WCC will analyze the data received from the input tool and consider any inappropriate attempts to influence the outcome when they inter-pret it,” said Bonde.

The Spring Hearing input process al-lows the public the opportunity to com-ment and register their support or op-position to DNR proposed rule changes as well as Congress proposals that could someday become the rules that regulate fishing, hunting, trapping and other out-door recreation activities in Wisconsin. This year the DNR will be presenting 49 proposed rule change questions for input.

Citizens may also submit ideas to address conservation needs or concerns they observe through the WCC resolu-tion process. County residents have the option to run for a seat on the Conserva-tion Congress and to vote for the WCC delegates to represent them on the Con-servation Congress. However, providing input on resolutions or participating in the WCC election will continue to re-quire in-person participation.

People interested in attending the hearings are encouraged to review the questionnaire online prior to the April 8 hearings and should arrive at the hear-ing location early to register before the hearings begin at 7 p.m.

DNR Spring Hearings andWisconsin Conservation Congress County Meetings

Monday, April 8, 2019, 7:00 p.m.

Adams Adams County Courthouse, County Board Room, 400 North Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934Ashland WITC-Ashland, Room 305, 2100 Beaser Avenue, Ashland, WI 54806Barron Barron County Government Center, 335 E. Monroe Avenue, Barron, WI 54812Bayfield Drummond High School, 52440 Eastern Ave, Drummond, WI 54832Brown Northeast Technical College, Room SC130, 2740W. Mason Street, Green Bay, WI 54307Buffalo Alma High School, S1618 State Highway 35, Alma, WI 54610Burnett Burnett County Government Center, 7410 County Highway K, Siren, WI 54872Calumet Calumet County Courthouse, Room 025, 206 Court Street, Chilton, WI 53014Chippewa Chippewa Falls Middle School, 750 Tropicana Blvd, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729Clark Greenwood High School, 306 West Central Avenue, Greenwood, WI 54437Columbia Columbia County Health and Human Services, 111 E. Mullett Street, Portage, WI 53901Crawford Prairie Du Chien High School, Auditorium, 800 E. Crawford Street, Prairie Du Chien, WI 53821Dane Monona Grove High School, Auditorium, 4400 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716Dodge Horicon Marsh DNR Education and Visitor Center, Auditorium, N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI 53032Door Sturgeon Bay High School, Commons, 1230 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235Douglas Solon Springs School, 8993 E Baldwin Ave, Solon Springs, WI 54873Dunn Dunn County Fish and Game Building, 1600 Pine Ave, Menomonie, WI 54751Eau Claire CVTC - Business Education Center, Room 103 A/B, 620 W Clairemont Avenue , Eau Claire, WI 54701Florence Florence Natural Resource Center, 5631 Forestry Drive, Florence, WI 54121Fond du Lac Theisen Middle School, Auditorium, 525 East Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, WI 54935Forest Crandon High School, 9750 US Highway 8W, Crandon, WI 54520Grant Lancaster High School, Hillary Auditorium, 806 E Elm Street, Lancaster, WI 53813Green Monroe Middle School, 1510 13th Street, Monroe, WI 53566Green Lake Green Lake Elementary School, Entrance off Mill Street, 612 Mill Street, Green Lake, WI 54941Iowa Dodgeville High School Gymnasium, 912 W. Chapel Street, Dodgeville, WI 53533Iron Iron County Memorial Building, 201 Iron Street, Hurley, WI 54534Jackson Black River Falls Middle School, Large Group Room, 1202 Pierce Street, Black River Falls, WI, 54615Jefferson Jefferson High School, Commons/Cafeteria, 700 WMilwaukee Street, Jefferson, WI 53549Juneau Olson Middle School, 508 Grayside Avenue, Mauston, WI 53948Kenosha Kenosha County Center, Hearing Room, 19600 75th Street, Bristol, WI 53104Kewaunee Kewaunee High School, 911 3rd Street, Kewaunee, Wisconsin 54216La Crosse Onalaska High School, Performing Arts Center, 700 Hilltopper Place, Onalaska, WI 54650Lafayette Darlington Elementary-Middle School, LG Room, 11630 Center Hill Road, Darlington, WI 53530Langlade Antigo High School, Volm Theater, 1900 Tenth Avenue, Antigo, WI 54409Lincoln Merrill High School, 1201 North Sales Street, Merrill, WI 54452Manitowoc UWManitowoc, 705 Viebahn Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220Marathon DC Everest Middle School, Auditorium, 9302 Schofield Avenue, Weston, WI 54476Marinette Wausaukee High School, Auditorium, N11941 US Highway 141, Wausaukee, WI 54177Marquette Montello High School, Community Room, 222 Forest Lane, Montello, WI 53949Menominee Menominee County Courthouse, W3269 Courthouse Lane, Keshena, WI 54135Milwaukee Nathan Hale High School, Auditorium , 11601W. Lincoln Avenue , West Allis, WI 53227Monroe Tomah High School, Cafeteria, 901 Lincoln Avenue, Tomah, WI 54660Oconto Suring High School, Cafeteria, 411 East Algoma Street, Suring, WI 54174Oneida James Williams Middle School, Auditorium, 915 Acacia Lane, Rhinelander, WI 54501Outagamie Appleton North High School, North Auditorium, 5000 North Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54913Ozaukee Webster Middle School, W75 N624Wauwatosa Road, Cedarburg, WI 53012Pepin Pepin County Government Center, County Board Room, 740 7th Avenue West, Durand, WI 54736Pierce Ellsworth High School, Library (Main Entrance), 323W Hillcrest Street, Ellsworth, WI 54011Polk Unity High School, 1908 State Highway 46, Balsam Lake, WI 54810Portage Ben Franklin Jr. High School, Auditorium, Room 1208, 2000 Polk Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481Price Price County Courthouse, County Board Room 101, 126 Cherry Street, Phillips, WI 54555Racine Union Grove High School, Theater, 3433 S. Colony Avenue, Union Grove, WI 53182Richland Richland County Courtroom, 181W. Seminary Street, Richland Center, WI 53581Rock Craig High School, Small Auditorium, 401 S Randall Avenue, Janesville, WI 53545Rusk Ladysmith High School, Auditorium, 1700 Edgewood Avenue East, Ladysmith, WI 54848

Saint Croix Saint Croix Central High School, Commons, 1751 Broadway Street, Hammond, WI 54015Sauk UW-Baraboo Sauk County, Room A104 (Giese Lecture Hall, 1006 Connie Road, Baraboo, WI 53913Sawyer Hayward High School, Auditorium, 10320 N Greenwood Lane, Hayward, WI 54843Shawano Shawano Middle School, LGI Room, 1050 South Union Street, Shawano, WI 54166Sheboygan Plymouth High School, Auditorium, 125 Highland Avenue, Plymouth, WI 53073Taylor Medford Senior High School, Theatre, 1015West Broadway Avenue, Medford, WI 54451Trempealeau Arcadia High School, Room 219, 759 Raider Drive, Arcadia, WI 54612Vernon Viroqua High School, Commons Room, 100 Blackhawk Drive, Viroqua, WI 54665Vilas Saint Germain Elementary School, 8234 Highway 70, Saint Germain, WI 54568Walworth Delavan-Darien High School, Large Meeting Room, 150 Cumming Street, Delavan, WI 53115Washburn Spooner High School, Auditorium, 801 County Highway A, Spooner, WI 54801Washington Kewaskum High School, 661510 Bilgo Ln, Kewaskum, WI 53040Waukesha Waukesha West High School, Auditorium, 3301 Saylesville Road, Waukesha, WI 53189Waupaca Waupaca High School, Performing Arts Center, E2325 King Road, Waupaca, WI 54981Waushara Waushara County Courthouse, Room 265 (Door H), 209 S. Saint Marie Street, Wautoma, WI 54982Winnebago Oshkosh North High School, Auditorium, 1100W. Smith Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901Wood Pittsville School District, Auditorium, 5459 Elementary Avenue, Pittsville, WI 54466

Applications for Wild Turkey and Pheasant Stamp funding

due April 21, 2019

MADISON - The application period for Wisconsin Wild Turkey and Pheasant Stamp funding is open through April 21, 2019.

Stamp funds are available to non-profit conservation organizations and units of government focused on habitat development, management, preservation, res-toration and maintenance for wild turkey and pheasant. Funding for successful ap-plicants will be available during the Department of Natural Resources’ 2020 and 2021 fiscal years.

Applicants should read the Pheasant Stamp funding guidelines and Turkey Stamp funding guidelines , found at dnr.wi.gov, keywords “wildlife stamps,” to determine eligibility for these funds and funding levels.

“Wisconsin’s wildlife stamps provide a mechanism for hunters and conservation-ists to contribute directly to wildlife habitat management efforts,” said Mark Witecha, DNR upland wildlife ecologist. “Wisconsin DNR works closely with partners to further our shared conservation missions and broaden the benefits that these funds provide to Wisconsin wildlife.”

On average, pheasant stamp sales generate $425,000 annually, and turkey stamp sales generate $700,000. Funds are generated from the sale of wild turkey and pheas-ant stamps, as well as from a portion of conservation patron license sales. More than 175,000 turkey hunters and 40,000 pheasant hunters contribute to habitat manage-ment through these stamp purchases each year. While stamps are required to hunt these species, stamp collectors and conservationists also purchase the stamps to help support wildlife habitat.

2019 Wild Turkey Stamp by Stephen Senechal of Oxford, WI

2019 Pheasant Stamp by Todd Haefner of Janesville, WI

WISCONSERVATION April 20196

Waupaca Learn to Turkey Hunt Event

Open to anyone 10 years or older (kids or adults) that has never hunted turkeys before. Event dates include education session the

evening of April 4th with the actual hunt taking place April 6th and 7th. Event will be held in Waupaca area, includes license, education

session, hunting, door prizes, raffles and dinner/lunches – free of charge to all participants. Looking for new hunters as well as those

able to serve as mentors. For more information find us on Facebook at Waupaca Learn to

Hunt or contact Charlie Wanty at 715-281-8862.

An administrative law judge on Friday reversed a permit granted by the Wisconsin De-

partment of Natural Resources (DNR) to Kohler Co. last year. The permit would have allowed the company to fill nearly four acres of high-quality wetland for a new golf course development in Sheboy-gan County, on land north of and within Kohler-Andrae State Park.

In reversing the permit, the judge found the standards for issuing the permit had not been met and that DNR lacked sufficient information to grant the permit.

“We are grateful for this decision, which thoroughly addressed the adverse, irreversible impacts of the proposed golf course,” said Mary Faydash, President of Friends of the Black River Forest, Inc. The group filed the petition challenging the permit, which was heard during a five-day evidentiary hearing last year.

“We are definitely delighted,” added Friends member and co-petitioner Claudia Bricks.

In the decision, the judge found that the project will require deforesting over half the site and significant regrading, resulting in changes to wetland and site hydrology. He concluded, “the Department’s determination that these adverse impacts will be significant mandate that the permit application must be denied.”

The judge also found that the DNR lacked sufficient information to conclude that the project would not harm water quality associated with chemical and fertilizer applications, and that some of Kohler’s submitted information was unreliable or incomplete.

Said the judge, “[t]he Department should be making its determinations based on completed plans, not trusting that management plans that will be prepared will adequately protect the groundwater and wetlands. Once the golf course is constructed the adverse impacts will be permanent and irreversible.”

“The golf course would be a major development on an extraordinarily sensitive site,” said Friends attorney Christa Westerberg. “The evidence simply did not support granting a permit in this case.”

The proposed golf course is located on forested property between the Black River and Lake Michigan. It hosts rare ridge and swale and interdunal wetlands and is an important stopover site for migratory birds. The property is susceptible to groundwater contamination due to sand soils and a high groundwater table.

Kohler’s proposal also called for using land in Kohler-Andrae State Park for a golf course entrance road and large maintenance facility. That land is characterized by dunes, wetlands, and forest, and is used by park visitors for hiking and wildlife observation, among other activities.

Said Faydash, “this decision is a victory for all of Wisconsin, particularly the grassroots groups who have worked tirelessly to hold the DNR and developers to Wisconsin conservation law.

It confirms the DNR must issue sound, scientifically-based environmental permits which protect and preserve our air, land and water.”

Judge Reverses Kohler Wetland Permit

247-acre nature preserve golf course site Steve Back photo.

Landmark Reached: A Million+ Pollinator Gardens in Three Years

In 2015, a determined group of people who cared about the future of our threat-ened pollinators imagined a million gardens adding to a network of flower-ing habitat, replacing what is being lost. Simple, individual actions would tally up to a big footprint for pollinators facing steep declines.

The National Pollinator Garden Net-work’s vision was realized in 2018. The 1,040,000 registered gardens are pre-dominantly in the United States, with international sites in Canada, Mexico, and others across the globe. Today, many communities bloom with gardens buzz-ing with promise for our pollinators, our own food supply, and the planet. Not since the Victory Garden war effort of the 1940s has our nation embarked on a comparable campaign for gardens. A third of all vegetables grown then came from victory gardens. Now? Pollinator gardens help to ensure the very future of our vegetables and fruits.

Today, the National Pollinator Garden Network credits more than an estimated eight million people who contributed to this Challenge’s success, from school children, families, seniors, and facility managers to mayors, and countless com-munity groups. From tiny yards to public gardens, the million-plus gardens add up to a network of approximately five mil-lion acres of enhanced or new pollinator habitat. Pollinator gardens can make a real difference for pollinators. Studies show floral-rich, small-scale gardens are proven to increase pollinator abundance and diversity. Increasing numbers of people are planting with purpose. There is a growing transformational shift in homes and communities, from valuing flower gardens as ornamental to valu-ing them for both beauty and benefits to bees, butterflies, birds, and all polli-nators. Today, pollinator gardens flower outside homes, in public parks, places of worship, schoolyards, and businesses. Garden clubs, plant nurseries, and gar-den centers all joined in to inspire, edu-cate, provide plants and seeds, and more. This is the largest effort in size and scale on behalf of pollinators, and the first to engage the horticultural and voluntary sector in a major role. The Million Pol-linator Garden Challenge shows that individuals, organizations, and business care about the health of pollinators and are acting in concert to address their critical needs.

Spreading the Word to Gardeners The Challenge gained a huge boost, thanks to

the Association of Landscape Architects, Garden Writers of America, The Na-tional Gardening Association, Grow IT! The Plant Community, American Hort, American Seed Trade Association, Amer-ican Horticultural Society, and garden trade publications and conferences that inspired members to plant and register gardens

Building on Existing Conservation Efforts For 46 years, the National Wild-life Federation’s Garden for Wildlife™ program has conserved pollinator and wildlife habitat, with 225,000 Certi-fied Wildlife Habitat® gardens across the world and 200 U.S. towns and cit-ies designated as Community Wild-life Habitats®. Wild Ones, the Habitat Network, and The National Audubon Society, along with native plant societ-ies, numerous naturalists and master gardeners, all have promoted pollinator habitats. Others include: The Pollina-tor Partnership’s Bee Friendly Farms, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conser-vation’s Bring Back the Pollinators and Bee City, USA; Monarch Watch Way Sta-tions, and the Monarch Joint Venture. A half a million educators engaged through Captain Planet, Kids Gardening.org, Ed-ible Schoolyard Project, City Blossoms, American Horticultural Society’s school garden network, and National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats and Eco-Schools USA.

Today, we celebrate surpassing the Million Garden Pollinator Challenge in three years along with the knowledge that the network is clearly benefiting pollinators. The Challenge revealed something else remarkable. Individual citizens from all backgrounds took action on multiple fronts to plant and register gardens across the United States and in-ternationally. They along with leaders in all sectors (voluntary, conservation, gov-ernment, business, schools, and more) found a common chord that resonated—a passion for pollinators and gardens that support them. Pollinator gardens are popular and beneficial, and the Network itself is influential. Each partner organi-zation elevates the national conversation on pollinators. Lead researchers study the benefits of pollinator gardens. The garden sector responds to new demands and sales of pollinator-friendly plants and seeds, including native species. Please join us in spreading the word and teaming up on behalf of the “little things that run the world”—our pollinators

What a Rollback of the Clean Water Act Means for Hunters and Anglers

The administration’s proposal to roll back the Clean Water Act’s protections for wetlands and

small streams will harm hunting and fishing in America. Hunters and anglers do not want oil spills, mining waste, chemicals, fertilizers or sewage in our smaller waterways, as this will dirty the waters all Americans rely on.

Under this proposal, at least half of America’s wetlands would no longer be protected by the Clean Water Act. The proposal restricts Clean Water Act pro-tections to wetlands with a “continuous surface connection” to lakes, streams or rivers. But wetlands benefit all Ameri-cans by absorbing floodwaters, improv-ing water quality and providing habitat for fish and wildlife. Under this rule, many wetlands could end up paved over or plowed under every year.

The proposed rule would also strip protections from streams that flow only after a rainfall. These ephemeral streams absorb floods, provide habitat for fish and affect water quality down-stream. Ephemeral streams are par-ticularly important in drier parts of the West. The proposal also opens the door to removing protections for larger streams. Collectively, the two types of streams at risk provide drinking water for 117 mil-lion Americans.

For more than 45 years, the Clean Water Act has protected the waters that hunters and anglers rely on.

Waterfowl need wetlands: More than half of North American waterfowl rely on the wetlands threated by this proposal. Damage to these wetlands could affect waterfowl and wildlife all over the coun-

try.Skinny waters grow big fish: Trout

and salmon depend on the streams tar-geted by this proposal. And since water downstream, weakening the law will ul-timately affect many types of recreation-al fishing.

Wildlife heritage: From moose to mal-lards, wildlife big and small use the wa-ters at risk. Leaving streams and wet-lands unprotected will harm hunting and America’s wildlife heritage.

Clean Water Helps the Economy: Clean drinking water and healthy water-ways underpin a healthy economy. The outdoor recreation industry alone gen-erates nearly $900 billion annually and supports 7.6 million jobs.

How Did We Get Here?When the Clean Water Act was

passed in 1972, it protected nearly all of America’s waters—streams, wetlands, rivers, lakes and bays. The law resulted in healthier waters nationwide. A 2001 Supreme Court decision questioned if all wetlands and streams should in fact be protected—and the issue has become in-creasingly politicized in the years since.

In 2015, the EPA finalized a rule clari-fying the scope of Clean Water Act pro-tections for streams and wetlands. The rule garnered nearly one million com-ments in support from sportsmen, scien-tists and the public, but it was opposed by well-funded special interest groups.

President Trump directed the EPA to “repeal and replace” the 2015 rule. Hunt-ers and anglers are speaking up across the country for a strong Clean Water Act that protects our way of life.

Wisconsin Wildlife Federation2019 Annual Meeting

April 12-13, 2019Hotel Mead; Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Special NoticeWWF revised Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation to be reviewed and voted on by the WWF membership.

Registration materials will be mailed to WWF Directors and Affiliate Organizations. Registration materials can also be requested by emailing the WWF office at office@wiwf.org.

WISCONSERVATION April 20197

Department of the Interior Celebrates Recovery of the Gray Wolf with Proposal to Return Management to States, Tribes

If a Final Decision is Made that Federal Protections are no Longer Warranted, We Will Focus Conser-

vation Efforts on Species Still in Need of ESA Protections, Says Acting Secretary

The gray wolf, an iconic species of the American West, had all but disappeared from landscape in the lower 48 states by the early 20th century. Now it roams free in nine states and is stable and healthy throughout its current range. This con-stitutes one of the greatest comebacks for an animal in U.S. conservation his-tory. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is re-affirming the success of this recovery with a proposal to remove all gray wolves from protection under En-dangered Species Act (ESA).

Thanks to the partnerships involving states, tribes, conservation organiza-tions and private landowners galvanized under the ESA, the Service is now able to propose turning management of all gray wolves back to the states and tribes who have been so central to the species’ recov-ery. This proposal excludes Mexican gray wolves, which would remain listed under the ESA.

“The facts are clear and indisput-able—the gray wolf no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endan-gered species. Today the wolf is thriving on its vast range and it is reasonable to conclude it will continue to do so in the future,” said David Bernhardt, Acting Secretary, U.S. Department of the In-terior. “Today’s action puts us one step closer to transitioning the extraordinary effort that we have invested in gray wolf recovery to other species who actually need the protections of the Endangered Species Act, leaving the states to carry on the legacy of wolf conservation.”

The gray wolf joins the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, American alligator, brown pelican and 33 other species of an-imals and plants in U.S. states, territo-ries and waters that have been brought back from the brink with the help of the ESA. Countless more have improved or stabilized.

The gray wolf has already been del-isted in the Northern Rocky Mountains. The states of Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington have shown their ability to manage this delisted wolf population responsibly so that it remains healthy and sustainable. Populations in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota are also strong and wolves have begun to expand into northern California and Western Oregon and Washington. In to-tal, the range-wide gray wolf population stands at more than 6,000, exceeding the

combined recovery goals for the North-ern Rocky Mountains and Western Great Lakes populations.

“It is a proud moment when we can tell our children and our grandchildren that the future is secure for these mag-nificent creatures,” said the Service’s Principal Deputy Director Margaret Everson. “Our deepest gratitude goes to all our conservation partners in this vic-tory, particularly the states and tribes who are committed to wolf conservation and will continue this legacy forward.”

The measure for listing a species un-der the ESA is whether wolves are in danger of extinction, or at risk of becom-ing so in the foreseeable future, through-out all or a significant portion of their current range. The ESA does not require wolves to be present throughout all of their former range or for populations to be at historical levels for delisting to oc-cur.

Peer-reviewed studies on a range of factors including habitat and prey avail-ability, gray wolf adaptability (including to changing climate conditions), recovery activities and post-delisting regulatory mechanisms, and predictions about how these may affect the wolves in the future are consistent in guiding the Service’s decision to delist. By any scientific mea-sure, wolves no longer meet the ESA’s standard for protection.

The law mandates that the Service delist species once they have recovered and turn management back to the states. Every species kept on the Endangered Species List beyond its point of recov-ery takes valuable resources away from those species still in need of the act’s pro-tections.

If the wolf is delisted, the Service will continue to monitor the species for five years. Should numbers decline to peril-ous levels or regulatory mechanisms prove insufficient to safeguard its future, the Service can relist the species and as-sume gray wolf management again.

The Service’s proposal to delist the gray wolf throughout the contiguous United States will be open for public comment in the Federal Register begin-ning on March 15, 2019. Comments must be received within 60 days of publication until May 14, 2019. All comments will be posted on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means any personal infor-mation provided through the process will be posted.

Information on the proposed rule and how to comment may be found at: https://www.fws.gov/home/wolfrecovery/.

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Newly Hatched Invasive Grass Carp Found in Maumee River, Ohio

First larval grass carp captured within Great Lakes watershed

A genetic analysis conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey recently confirmed that larval, or newly hatched, fish collected from the Maumee River during the summer of 2018 are grass carp, one species of invasive Asian carps that threaten the Great Lakes. The Mau-mee River is a tributary to Lake Erie.

These young fish are the first grass carp collected in their larval stage from within the Great Lakes watershed. Other life stages, including fertilized eggs, ju-veniles and adults, have been previously documented in tributaries and shoreline areas of Lake Erie. Identifying locations with larval grass carp in the Maumee River will help inform management de-cisions and allow natural resource agen-cies to better focus limited resources on grass carp removal efforts.

“If grass carp become abundant in Lake Erie they could consume large amounts of aquatic vegetation, ulti-mately reducing habitat for native fish and other aquatic animals and diminish-ing food resources for waterbirds,” said USGS scientist Patrick Kocovský. “The Lake Erie ecosystem is a major contribu-tor to the Great Lakes’ multi-billion dol-lar per year fishery.”

On June 13 and 26, 2018, a sampling crew from The University of Toledo col-laborating with the USGS sampled the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio, for early life stages of grass carp. The larval grass

carp were collected near the I-280 bridge in the city of Toledo and near the river mouth adjacent to Brenner’s Marina during high water flow events typical of spawning conditions for grass carp. While the samples were being processed in January 2019, six larval fish resem-bling grass carp were identified.

These larval fish were sent to the USGS for genetic confirmation. Scien-tists analyzed DNA extracted from each larva in early February and confirmed with high confidence that the species of every hatchling was grass carp. Subse-quent genetic sequencing of the larval fish DNA in late February confirmed that the larvae were grass carp.

“Collecting larval fish in a Great Lake is like finding a needle in a haystack,” said Christine Mayer of The University of Toledo Department of Environmental Sciences and Lake Erie Center. “Our finding helps make the haystack smaller when looking for spawning grass carp.”

The capture of these larval grass carp confirms previous evidence that they spawn in the Maumee River, and the capture of larvae during separate high flow events confirms the possibil-ity of more than one successful spawning event within a year. This new discovery does not indicate the population size in the Maumee River, but underscores the continued need for early detection.

The USGS and The University of To-ledo have previously documented grass carp spawning in the Sandusky River.

DNR seeks public help to identify and map invasive cork trees

MADISON -- Wisconsin inva-sive species officials are ask-ing the public to help identify

and locate populations of the invasive Amur cork tree.

The Wisconsin Department of Natu-ral Resources has records of Amur cork tree in at least 12 counties with indi-vidual populations ranging from a single tree to several thousand. It is possible this number will increase with improved mapping efforts. The species, prohibited under Wisconsin's invasive species rule, is harmful to diversity in forested com-munities.

Often planted in parks, yards and cit-ies, Amur cork tree can quickly invade forests when its fruits are eaten and dis-persed by birds. Dense mats of seedlings can stop the growth of native plants and harm wildlife populations that depend on them.

Amur cork tree's listing as a prohib-ited species is unique because female trees are regulated but male cultivars and seedling stock, which were thought to be unable to produce fruit, are not. There is some indication, however, that trees previously thought to be fruitless may produce fruit.

To identify this species in the winter, look for the signature corky outer bark or the bright yellow cambium (tissue just beneath the bark). Use a knife to peel away the thinner bark on branch-

es or cut into the corky bark on larger trees using a small axe. Winter buds and fruits can also be used for identification. Winter buds are reddish brown and en-circled by a horseshoe-shaped leaf scar.

The fruits are black when fully ripe and remain on trees into winter. Even after the fruits have fallen or been eaten by birds, spiky stems can be seen still at-tached to the upper branches of the tree. Pictures of these features can be seen in the invasive species photo gallery on the DNR website.

If you know of possible locations of this species in Wisconsin, you can email invasive.species@wisconsin.gov with the subject line "Amur cork tree location." Please include a street address and co-ordinates (use this site to pinpoint a lo-cation) and photos of characteristic fea-tures described above. Photos of fruiting structures (fruits, stems) are especially helpful in finding the trees that contrib-ute most to the spread of this species.

For more information about Amur cork tree, including details on identifi-cation and a map of known populations, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for Amur cork tree. If you would like to know more about funding options to con-trol this species on your property, please contact Mike Putnam, DNR Forest Inva-sive Plant Coordinator, at Michael.Put-nam@wisconsin.gov or 608-843-5475.

Corky bark and bright yellow cambium. Photo credit: DNR

DNR reports 1.9 trillion gallons of water pumped in Wisconsin in 2017

MADISON -- Wisconsin cities, businesses, industries and agricultural operations were

among the state's largest users of water in 2017, pumping more than 1.9 trillion gallons of groundwater and surface wa-ter, according to a Department of Natu-ral Resources report.

The state's sixth annual water use report tallies how many gallons were pumped by municipal water systems, ag-ricultural operations, utilities and other sources that have the capacity to pump more than 100,000 gallons of water a day from groundwater or from lakes or riv-ers.

Of the total groundwater and surface water use in 2017, 77 percent was for power generation, according to the re-port. Overall water use in Wisconsin was

four percent higher in 2017 than in 2016 due to an increase in power generation and municipal water supply use.

Wisconsin's water use reporting re-quirements are part of the Great Lakes Compact, a 10-year-old agreement be-tween the Great Lakes states and Ca-nadian provinces to collectively manage water quantity in the Great Lakes basin.

"One of the successes of the Com-pact has been the ability to track wa-ter withdrawals throughout Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region, improving our understanding of water use across the region and its impact on the Great Lakes", says Adam Freihoefer, DNR wa-ter use section chief. In 2017, Wisconsin achieved a 96 percent reporting rate from the 14,300 registered water withdrawal sources with 78 percent reporting online.

WISCONSERVATION April 20198

2019 WWF BANQUET DATESDISTRICT CONTACT DATE LOCATIONDistrict 3 North Brian Hobbs March 9, 2019 Crickets Bar & Grill(Osceola) 715-417-0940 Amery, WI brianhobbs903@gmail.comDistrict 4 East Gary Fitzgerald Sept. 5, 2019 Shooter’s(Plover) 715-824-6310 Plover, WI garyterri@wi-net.comDistrict 4 West Randy Teresinski April 6, 2019 American Legion(West Neillsville) 715-897-8832 Loyal, WIDistrict 5 Jerry Lingnofski April 11, 2018 Darboy Club(Fox Valley) 920-841-8427 Darboy, WI ling5thson@aol.comDistrict 5 Bill Tollard TBD La Sure’s Banquet Hall(Oshkosh) 920-379-3429 Oshkosh, WI*new 2018 bill@adashunjones.comDistrict 6 Michelle Graff February 2, 2019 Fox Hollow Banquet(LaCrosse) 608-797-1292 Facility graffmm68@gmail.comDistrict 6 Ed Rollins March 2, 2019 Castle Hill Supper Club(Black River Falls) 715-964-1263 Merrillan, WI ednangie@sbcglobal.netDistrict 8 Greg Kronschnabel March 22, 2019 Ingleside Hotel(Oconomowoc/ 262-719-4530 (aka: Country Springs)Pewaukee) gkronschnabel@yahoo.com Pewaukee, WIDistrict 9 Tracey Czechan April 5, 2019 Hilton Garden Inn(Milwaukee) 262-442-2583 Milwaukee, WI tczechan@gmail.comStatewide Wayne Thayer January 26, 2019 Ho Chunk Casino(WI Dells) 608-754-4965 Wisconsin Dells, WI wat68@t6b.com

March 2019CalendarWinners

W.W.F.Business Membership

SilverSteve’s Southside Citgo, WatertownPaul R. Sommers, DDS, SC, WatertownWatertown Trade and Auctions, WatertownAdvanced Building Corporation, VeronaManitowoc Co Fish & Game Protective Assoc., Manitowoc

Support Businesses That Support Conservation

BronzeBest Sound Service, WatertownKeck Furniture, WatertownDave’s Turf and Marine, WatertownTheder Home Services and Construction, WatertownCastle Rock Marine Inc., New LisbonJ & L Tire, Johnson CreekJ & H Game Farm, ShioctonCity Limits, ManitowocGeneral Beer-NE Division, Stevens PointShooters, PloverWild Wings, CampbellsportCarbos, Amherst Junction

WWF “Kitchen News”2019 Calendar DonorsPlatinumJon’s Sport Shop Oshkosh, WIEcklund Motorsports Oshkosh, WIFallin Fowl Outfitters Fredonia, WIDave Verhage Plover, WI

GoldBecoming An Outdoor Woman Stevens Point, WI Nicky Boy Charter Fishing Services Port Washington, WI Mathews Bow Sparta, WIJeff O’Brien, CNH Outdoors Shawano, WILake Superior Bluetick kennel Bayfield, WI

Bronze Tri-County Sportswomen Sheboygan Falls, WI Lil Pipping Elkhart Lake, WI Sheboygan County Convervation Assoc. Sheboygan Falls, WIJim Swanson Menomonie, WI Hotel Mead Wisconsin Rapids, WIKeith & Judy Pamerpin Green Bay, WIBill Tollard Omro, WI

1 March $1000 Cash Patrick Pentek, Sheboygan 452 Weatherby Orion Walnut O/U Shotgun Andy Hartmann, Plymouth 5193 $100 Cash Dale Mertely, Montello 55704 Cooler Bag Set/3 piece bone handle knife set Tim Thoma, Madison 45415 Taurus Judge 3” Mag Jeff Tompkins, Eau Claire 88276 $100 Kwik Trip gift card Josh Spetta, Chilton 3747 $100 Gift Card to Cabela’s Dale Scholze, WI Rapids 71858 Armsco O/U 12 Ga Walnut W/Th 5 Screw in Chokes Ricky Greene, Janesville 21409 $100 Cash Mary Borski, Van Dyne 676710 Bone Handle Knife Set with logo Brian Fox, Mauston 1049711 Winchester Bolt Action Rifle XPR Faron Yanna, Lancaster 147912 $100 Kwik Trip gift card Paul Marten, Tomah 1006213 Cooler Bag Set/3 Piece Bone Handle Knife Set Ken Ley, Livingston 143914 Ruger Bolt Action Rifle Jordon Salentine, Luxemburg 782915 $100 Cash Justin Rabinek, Greendale 398016 $100 Gift Card to Cabela’s Rocky Stentz, Kohler 73117 Ruger 9MM LC-9 NBSC, Sun Prairie 709518 $100 Gift Card to Cabela’s Chad Haase, Waukesha 953119 Day Long Guided Canoe Trip for 2 on Chippewa River Paul Schellinger, Juneau 104720 Cooler Bag Set/3 piece bone handle knife set Matt Schwai, Campbellsport 568121 Savage Model 93 17 HMR Target Rifle Rick Erickson, West Allis 426922 Bone Handle Knife Block Set with logo Gerald Brandt, Watertown 109123 Night Stay for 2 at Hotel Mead in WI Rapids Jason Latulip, Wrightstown 680324 Remington 783 Rifle Thomas Mullenbach, Stewartville, MN 967625 $100 Kwik Trip Gift Card Eric Schwartz, Denmark 22126 $100 Gift Card to Cabela’s Kelly Lynch, Watertown 570127 Stoeger 3000 Mag Shotgun James R. Maas, Neosho 46028 $100 Cash Keith Dahlstrom, Shell Lake 936229 Bone Handle Knife Block Set with logo Dave Betthauser, Tomah 276330 Weatherby 20 GA SYN James Vanderwielen, Pardeeville 988131 $100 Kwik Trip Gift Card Chris Dahlke, Appleton 3109

George and Betty’s Deep Fried Sturgeon

Cut sturgeon into 2X3 inch pieces, cut off all yellow fat, and dark spots, so you have only the flesh meat.Soak in whole milk Overnight.Before cooking rinse all fish, dry with paper towels.Make BEER batter1 cup flour1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon black pepperCan of beer of your choice,Dip fish in batter place in hot oil (350 degree) cook until they float. Use a turkey fryer for large amount of sturgeon

Meatballs with Milk GravyIngredients For meat balls 2 lbs. hamburger1 medium onion diced2 eggsSalt and pepper to taste¼ cup milk

For Gravy 3 tablespoons flour1 cup of potatoes water1 cup of milk.

DirectionsMix hamburger, eggs, onions, salt, pepper and milk together. Roll into small meatballs and fry in past on medium hot heat until fully cooked. Add stir flour into meatball drippings, then add potato water, stir until thick. Serve with boiled potatoes. Hint cook the potatoes before cooking the meatballs.

Cheese CakeIngredients 1 8 oz. package cream cheese½ cup sugar

3 eggs1 tablespoon lemon juice

DirectionsCream the cheese and sugar until fluffy. Add one egg at a time and beat well after each egg. Add lemon juice. Put into prepared graham cracker pie crust and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. Cool and refrigerate. Serve with fresh blueberries or strawberries.