Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine | Spring 2024

FROM THE GOVERNOR TONY EVERS

As the ground begins to thaw and the sun stays out for a few extra hours, I am excited to share with you several exciting announcements that couldn’t come at a better time.

Conserving and protecting our natural resources continues to be a top priority for me and my administration. In my 2024 State of the State address, I was proud to announce we finalized one of the largest conservation projects in Wisconsin history: the Pelican River Forest conservation easement.

A result of a partnership with the Biden administration and The Conservation Fund, this easement will protect over 67,000 acres of the forest, including 58 miles of rivers and streams and 22,334 acres of wetlands.

It will protect cold-water trout streams; ensure the land remains forested and sustainably managed; store approximately 19 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent; permanently secure public access and open 56 miles of roads designated for motorized vehicle use; connect important snowmobile/ATV/UTV trail routes to Oneida County’s 1,100-mile trail network; and protect the headwaters of the Wolf River, which supplies clean drinking water to over 40,000 people who live downstream.

Additionally, after five years of calling for legislative action, in 2023, we saw the first real and meaningful state investment to specifically address PFAS in our state’s history when we secured $125 million in the 2023-25 biennial budget to address and prevent PFAS contamination statewide.

In Wisconsin, where our economies rely upon water resources for livestock, crops, hunting and outdoor recreation, PFAS are a threat to our way of life and our economy. Unfortunately, this funding is still sitting in Madison because the Legislature refuses to release it. I am continuing my calls for Republicans to release this funding

so we can get it out to the families, child care facilities, schools, businesses and communities across our state who need it.

Finally, wild rice has been harvested here for thousands of years, but it’s threatened by the effects of changing climate and water quality. So, I was proud to highlight in my State of the State address our administration’s work with the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Menominee and the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Nations to secure nearly $2 million for a new effort to preserve and restore wild rice in Wisconsin.

With spring and warm weather on the horizon, Kathy and I are looking forward to getting out to enjoy our state’s beauty, and I hope this issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine inspires you to do so, too. Happy reading, Wisconsin!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

SAND COUNTY ALMANAC TURNS 75

He who searches for spring with his knees in the mud finds it, in abundance. — Aldo Leopold

It’s been 75 years since those words were included in “A Sand County Almanac,” the defining work by Wisconsin’s renowned environmental champion Aldo Leopold. First published in 1949, a year after Leopold’s death, the book includes dozens of essays inspired by observations he made on his farm near Baraboo.

Leopold’s words implore readers to observe, appreciate and respect nature and immerse themselves in outdoor experiences, while understanding the vital importance of our natural resources. Seven decades later, the book has been reprinted dozens of times in more than 14 languages and has sold over 2 million copies.

FREE FISHING WEEKEND CORRECTION

The Winter 2023 issue of the magazine indicated that Free Fishing Weekend is always the third weekend in January and June. Although it is always the third weekend in January, it is always the first weekend in June.

BROWNFIELDS SUCCESS IN WATERTOWN

The city of Watertown celebrates the success of its Bentzin Family Town Square brownfield redevelopment project, partly funded by the DNR’s Wisconsin Assessment Monies program and Knowles-Nelson Stewardship grant money. Officially opened last May, the town square received the Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5 Brownfields Success Award last summer and was honored by the MidAmerica Economic Development Council in the “placemaking” category in November.

The 1-acre property, at 1 W. Main St., formerly housed various businesses and was identified as having petroleum-contaminated soil during environmental investigations before redevelopment. Following remediation, the revamped site now serves as an anchor for Watertown’s downtown corridor, providing a beautiful area as a gathering place for community activities.

Brownfield projects happen around the state, and DNR staff can meet with community leaders to discuss the process and wide range of funding tools available to local governments, businesses, lenders and others for cleanup and redevelopment. For information, check the DNR's brownfields webpage, dnr.wi.gov/topic/brownfields.

VOLUNTEERS MATTER IN WATER MONITORING

Wisconsin’s waterways are vital components of strong ecosystems statewide. The DNR monitors these aquatic resources to ensure their continued health — and you can help!

Volunteer stream monitoring: Water Action Volunteers play a crucial role in collecting data such as dissolved oxygen levels, water temperature and transparency, streamflow and habitat. Opportunities are open to anyone, including organizations, individuals, families and school groups. Trainings are generally held in April and May; wateractionvolunteers.org.

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network: The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership brings residents together with the science and education communities to care for the state’s 15,000 lakes. More than 1,000 volunteers help statewide to collect high-quality data and monitor for aquatic invasive species; dnr.wi.gov/topic/lakes/clmn.

For more on Wisconsin water monitoring, scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2181.

Stream monitoring at Kenosha’s Hawthorn Hollow Nature Sanctuary.

HAWTHORN HOLLOW

Watertown’s Bentzin Family Town Square offers activity space and access to the Rock River.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

MORE YOU OTTER KNOW

Enjoyed the article about river otters by Andi Sedlacek (Winter 2023).

I have a cabin on the Mecan River in Waushara County and saw otters years ago. They may still be present, but I have not seen any sign of them. They are very proficient fishermen and can significantly impact the trout population.

Ron Rellatz

Merton

I read and very much enjoyed your article about otters. I am 76 years old and have lived in Wisconsin most of my life, and I have never seen any signs of otters in the wild until a few years ago.

I live about 4 miles south of east De Pere and have a half-acre pond behind my home. Three years ago in midsummer, I discovered an otter eating a large bass taken from my pond. I saw no other otter signs until last winter, when I began seeing the remains of some large koi from my pond on the shore. I had 13 koi, over 10 pounds each, at the beginning of winter, and in the spring, there was only one left.

There were no other otter signs until a few weeks ago, when I saw a pair of them on a small island in the middle of the pond. The nearest body of water to my home is the East River, a tributary to the Fox River, about a mile away. I am sure that’s where they came from, but it is surprising to me that they made a journey of a mile just looking for the chance they might find a spot with fish.

Jim LaLuzerne De Pere

STURGEON FOR TOMORROW

I was reading the latest issue of your magazine (Winter 2023) and the article “Giants Beneath the Ice.” It states that “the Menominee Tribe took on the challenge of rebuilding sturgeon numbers and brought the idea of repopulation to state agencies.” I just wanted to make you aware it was the group known as Sturgeon for Tomorrow that took on that challenge and came up with the idea and the science to rebuild the population that exists today.

Paul Muche

Fond du Lac

Thanks for the letter, Paul. The Menominee Tribe historically has been involved in sturgeon welfare efforts and in more recent work to restore their important cultural icon to the Wolf River at Keshena Falls. Sturgeon for Tomorrow did, indeed, take the lead beginning with the late 1970s initiative to propagate lake sturgeon that has resulted in current-day repopulation successes across Wisconsin and the nation.

FIFTH-GRADER FAVORS MORE HUNTING

Editor’s note: Recently, Wisconsin Natural Resources heard from Michelle Dahlberg, a fifth-grade reading language arts teacher at Cumberland Middle School in northwest Wisconsin. She forwarded a letter from a student, Addy Lehmann, who chose the topic of hunting for a class assignment on writing persuasive articles. Below are excerpts from Addy’s article — thanks to the Cumberland fifth graders and their teacher!

Have you ever thought what would happen if there were more hunting days? I believe we should have more hunting days. The first reason is because it can help people save money. Hunting helps me and my family save money, so we do not have to spend so much on food.

The second reason why I think hunting is important is because you get to spend time with your family. It’s important to me because I get to see family that I do not see that much. Some people love to hunt with their families.

The third reason why I think we should get more days hunting is because some people just sit in their houses all day, and hunting can encourage people who just sit around all day. It can make them want to go out and do something for them.

In the end, the three reasons we should have more hunting days are that it helps people get more food, more time with their family, and helps people stay active.

Addy Lehmann Cumberland

ISTOCK/GERALD CORSI NICK

THINKING SUMMER

I was going through my files the other day and ran across this shot I took while my wife and I were staying at a lakeside VRBO on the Totagatic Flowage in Sawyer County. It made me appreciate and long for another Wisconsin summer on the water. Thanks for taking a look — enjoying the magazine.

Ron Davis

Eau Claire

CALENDAR CORRECTION

Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine apologizes for the error of inaccurate dates on the November grid of the 2024 calendar included in the Winter issue of the magazine. Correct dates are: The gun deer season begins on Saturday, Nov. 23, and ends on Sunday, Dec. 1; Thanksgiving is Nov. 28 In this issue, you'll find additional stickers to help you celebrate finding an adventure in Wisconsin’s outdoors throughout all of 2024. Happy exploring!

Q: How can I find out when my favorite fishing spot was last stocked?

A: If you are interested in fishing stocked waters, use our fish stocking database to quickly see where fish have been stocked throughout Wisconsin. You'll find stocking information going back all the way to 1953. Check out the database at dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2206.

Q: I want to go fishing but don’t have all the gear. Can I borrow some from the DNR?

A: Yes! Our tackle loaner program provides fishing equipment for you to borrow at several state parks and DNR offices around the state. In general, the equipment available through the program includes closed-face fishing rods and reels, open-face rods and reels, casting plugs, bobbers, hooks, lines and sinkers. It’s all available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more at dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2211.

Q: How do I get rid of my old fishing line?

A: Old fishing line can cause serious problems for wildlife, people, equipment and the environment. Proper disposal can help, so thank you for asking!

Never put fishing line in regular recycling bins, as this can cause major issues at traditional recycling facilities. Consider putting the fishing line in a bag or another container before putting it in the trash. This will help reduce the chance it will blow away or get tangled around equipment when the trash is transported and placed in the landfill.

Recycling is an option, but only at certain collection sites. The BoatUS Foundation and Berkley, a fishing gear company, both have longstanding national fishing line recycling programs. Local organizations place collection bins at boat launches or other fishing locations. Several DNR Service Centers also accept old fishing line.

Collection bins for recycling old fishing line often can be found at boat launches and other fishing locations.

on the Dn insiDe

When you think of jobs at the DNR, what are the first that come to mind? Conservation warden, wildlife biologist, maybe that person who stocks fish in the lake near your house.

But it’s not just outside jobs that are available at the Wisconsin DNR. There are a lot of folks with inside jobs — human resources, finance experts to help ensure money is spent how the Legislature allocates, IT to keep staff connected with each other and the public, and even legal services.

Although these people spend most of their time working inside, they’re still able to do their part to make an impact in protecting and enhancing Wisconsin’s natural resources.

Read on to learn about just a handful of the unique inside jobs at the DNR.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY

JADA THUR AND DOUGLAS GRIFFIN

DNR OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS STAFF

With properties all over Wisconsin, the DNR doesn’t have a single centralized “front desk.” Instead, that role is filled by our dedicated customer service team, who work diligently to connect the public with the resources and information they need to enjoy our state’s abundant natural resources.

The DNR’s customer service team acts as a central connection between the public and anything they may need in the world of outdoor recreation.

“We field all kinds of questions from people all over the state and country,” said Casey Witt, lead DNR customer service representative. “From questions about park hours or fishing regulations for their local lake to walking through the process of buying their licenses, registrations or stamps online in Go Wild, we really see it all.”

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg — they also field violation hotline and emergency spill calls, alerting field staff to emerging situations.

Given the breadth of responsibilities, the job isn’t easy, but it is rewarding.

“It’s really special to work with and for people who are passionate about the same things as I am,” Witt said. “Every day, we get to talk to people who enjoy hunting, fishing, boating, etc., and we get to help them get what they need to make the most of their time outdoors.”

policy at the DnR

DNR policy advisors work in a number of capacities across the agency, some in specific programs and others looking more broadly at the DNR’s work. When a directive comes from the Wisconsin Department of Administration or a new law is passed, these are the people who figure out what it all means for the agency and how to guide others to implement it in the field.

For Julie Majerus, environmental justice policy advisor, there’s satisfaction in knowing the work she does in and out of the office impacts the communities the DNR serves.

“Whether it’s developing a grant proposal, drafting a policy or providing consultation, the focus of my work is directing our services to better inform the public, facilitate their meaningful engagement in our processes and provide better

access to clean air, clean water and outdoor recreation,” Majerus said.

There are tough decisions like how to prioritize budget and staffing resources to best support colleagues in the field, said Sean Kennedy, climate and resilience policy advisor.

“As policy staff with a statewide scope of work, we have a responsibility to take a sweeping range of perspectives, impacts, opportunities and barriers under consideration as we seek to answer the questions of ‘how’ in addressing significant environmental challenges,” Kennedy said.

What one piece of advice would Kennedy give to someone thinking about a career in policy at the DNR?

“Apply! Working on innovative, science-based policy solutions and collaborating with a committed team of subject matter experts to carry forward Wisconsin’s legacy of environmental stewardship is incredibly rewarding."

gRants & loans

The DNR supports projects to help protect the environment, safeguard public health, and boost outdoor recreation through grant and loan programs like the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program, Clean Water Fund Program, and the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund.

“Seeing people enjoying a park or trail built with grant funds is incredibly rewarding,” said Jennifer Gihring, a section manager in the DNR’s Conservation Grants Program. “I consider it a privilege to work behind the scenes and help communities bring their ideas to life.”

Available programs address a variety of needs — urban forestry, recycling, wells, wetland conservation and more. Depending on the program, funds can be available for landowners or municipalities.

It’s just another example of the good work being done around the state by dedicated people like Becky Scott, a section manager in the DNR’s Environmental Loans Program.

“I’ve been able to directly impact individuals in a positive way,” she said, “by making it more affordable to construct necessary infrastructure to keep Wisconsin’s waters clean.”

The DNR owns and manages over 1.6 million acres at 600 properties statewide. Per state administrative code, DNR property planners are tasked with creating and updating written documents, referred to as master plans, detailing how the DNR will ensure those properties are cared for and balance the recreational, ecological and economic interests of all Wisconsinites.

Property planning includes writing plan drafts, holding meetings and collecting public comments from groups such as bikers, campers, equestrians, anglers, hunters, hikers, recreation vehicle oper-

pRopeRty planning

ators, conservation groups, businesses and government entities. Final plans reflect the needs and expectations of the public as well as the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board.

The job requires the ability to write clearly and effectively, plus a thick skin to absorb feedback from multiple stakeholders.

“The property planner’s role is to develop the vision and goals for these lands on behalf of Wisconsinites,” said John Pohlman, DNR property planner. “Planners facilitate that process, address the issues and convey messages to the public in a way that makes sense to them.

“Members of the public may not agree with the plan, but we try to make sure they understand everything that went into the decisions and what they can expect when they go out and visit each property.”

The best part of the job, according to Pohlman? You learn something new about what’s happening in your own backyard every day!

office of communications

The DNR’s Office of Communications helps tell the story of the agency. The team includes public information officers, graphic designers, a videographer and a magazine managing editor who work together to help DNR programs reach the public with their messages, from social media content to news releases to the magazine you’re reading now.

When state, national and even international news outlets want to spotlight the DNR, they reach out to the DNR’s public information officers, who connect them with the right person to talk to within the agency — a wildlife biologist, dam safety engineer, forester or other subject matter expert to answer their questions.

“I love that in my job I’m able to combine my passion for the outdoors with my love of storytelling and interacting with people,” said Garrett Dietz, public information officer.

The team also manages the DNR’s social media accounts, publishing posts, responding to questions and messages, and experimenting with new social media networks to find innovative ways to connect with the public. If you’ve ever sent the DNR a message on Facebook, you’ve worked with the DNR’s Office of Communications.

“The passion of the staff at the DNR paired with the public’s excitement for our natural resources is one of my favorite parts of this job,” said Katie Grant, DNR communications director. “You can’t help but get excited every day to sing the praises of your colleagues and help educate the public on how they can do their part to help protect this great state’s natural resources.

“Every day is different, which I love. And it’s fulfilling work — I’m not a biologist, but every day I’m able to give back in my own way.”

& gis

The DNR’s information technology team is an integral part of the organization, but there’s more to it than what you might consider the traditional IT role. Take maps, for instance.

Before drones or planes, aerial maps were developed from photos taken by strapping tiny cameras to pigeons in the early 1900s. Thanks to technology, that’s no longer the case. That’s where the use of geographic information systems comes in.

GIS technology combines mapping, statistical analysis and database management to capture, store and present geographic data.

emeRgency management

When you think of crisis management, the DNR might not top your list of key players involved in an emergency response. However, the DNR is an integral part of emergency operations. Whether it’s an out-of-control wildfire, a missing person, a quickly spreading avian influenza virus, a hazardous spill, or persistent drought conditions ravaging communities, the DNR has resources ready to help.

The person behind the helm steering those resources and coordinating a response with other groups is Shane Goss, the DNR’s emergency management officer. He works collaboratively within the DNR and externally with other local, state and federal agencies to ensure any crisis can be resolved as quickly and efficiently as possible, and he’s often the middleman when it comes to communicating information.

“Geographic information systems provide interactive and informative maps for the public on various topics, including forest fires, land access, hunting and more,” said Laura Waddle, GIS specialist for the DNR.

GIS staff members work at the intersection of geography, data science and environmental management. On any given day, they jump from sorting real-time and historical data to developing applications like the Trout Opportunities and Regulations Tool or diving into the details of resource management with subject matter experts.

“There is always a new project or problem to work on or solve,” Waddle said. “Every day, you’re learning about important topics and creating tools to make it easier for everyone in the state to explore our natural resources.”

"My role is to manage personnel and resources during times of disaster,” Goss said. “What is a disaster? An incident that exceeds the capabilities of your local responders. If it's a house fire, your fire department can handle that, but if the whole town is on fire, it’s too much for one fire department to handle alone. You have to start calling in additional resources, and that’s where we step in.”

Recently, Goss has dispatched helicopter pilots to assist local law enforcement with missing person investigations and organized emergency water supplies when contamination was found in local water sources.

aiR quality monitoRing

Breathing in fresh, clean air is part of what makes spending time outdoors in Wisconsin so enjoyable, but high pollution levels can take away the fun. Katie Praedel has studied air quality with the DNR for nearly 20 years, gathering essential data to protect Wisconsinites’ health.

“Air quality monitoring is critical for people to make informed decisions about their day-to-day activities,” said Praedel, section manager for the Air Quality Program. “We help them experience the outdoors in a safe way.” CARB

The DNR oversees more than 40 air monitoring stations throughout the state. When pollution levels are high, Praedel’s team provides the data for air quality advisories, which may suggest minimizing time outdoors, especially for those with respiratory illnesses.

Pollution can stem from many sources, such as motor vehicles, industry and wildfires. The Clean Air Act directs how states monitor air quality and provides standards for sampling. State equipment is checked rigorously for accuracy and brought to the Air Lab at the DNR’s Milwaukee office annually for complete maintenance and calibration.

“I love working with the technology and all the brilliant and dedicated people who know how to use it,” Praedel said.

LEARN MORE

Interested in a job at the DNR? A wide variety of jobs are available beyond the handful highlighted here. You can always find the latest open positions on the state jobs website. Scan the QR code or go to wisc.jobs.

ZACH WOOD

GREAT WISCONSIN BIRDATHON MOBILIZES ON BEHALF OF BIRDS

For many, the mention of bird watching conjures images of tranquility, concentration and, maybe most of all, solitude. And yet, every spring, bird watchers across Wisconsin head outdoors to partake in what has become an exceedingly social affair — the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin’s annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon.

The event started in 2012 and is Wisconsin’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation. Each year, bird enthusiasts from across the state form teams to find as many bird species as possible within 24 hours while raising critical conservation funds.

FOR A

It’s like a walkathon fundraiser, but participants record bird sightings instead of collecting pledges for miles logged.

Teams can participate any day from April 15 to June 15, and all skill levels are welcome. While most teams choose to compete over 24 hours, teams also can opt to bird for a weekend, a week or even the whole 60-day event.

Teams can bird anywhere in Wisconsin — a state or local park, wooded areas or even in their backyard! Anywhere you can see birds, you can participate.

BIRD PROTECTION FUND

The money raised by the birdathon supports the Natural Resources Foundation’s Bird Protection Fund, which provides financial backing for projects around Wisconsin that protect bird habitats, support avian research and monitoring efforts, and promote education and outreach. In 2023, the birdathon raised a record $122,162 for the cause.

Individuals and teams such as the Funky Pheasants have stepped up for birds by participating in the annual Great Wisconsin Birdathon.

Each year after the event concludes, the Bird Protection Fund Committee — composed of Wisconsin bird conservation experts, including DNR staff — helps determine where the funds will positively impact the state’s birds and allocates funding accordingly.

“These initiatives play a major role in our efforts to protect and restore vulnerable bird populations across Wisconsin,” said Owen Boyle, DNR species management section manager. “Many of these critical projects wouldn’t be possible without the Natural Resources Foundation’s annual birdathon.”

FOSTERING CONNECTIONS

The Great Wisconsin Birdathon isn’t just a great cause — for its 500-plus participants, it’s also a great time!

“Birders from around the state tell us they look forward to the birdathon all year,” said Soumika Gaddameedi, event and donor relations coordinator for the Natural Resources Foundation.

“Birders of all experience levels are brought together to celebrate Wisconsin’s birds. Participants swap stories, make new friends and build an organic network of people to share their hobby.”

The Chirp Chasers, representing the Chippewa County Land Conservancy during the 2022 birdathon, noted this tree swallow in the field.

Participants have even been known to rally their fellow birders to the scene of a rare or unique bird sighting.

“I can remember one instance where, as the sun was setting, a team caught sight of a very rare chuck-will's-widow singing at Indian Mound Conservancy (in McFarland),” Gaddameedi said. “This was only the third-ever recorded sighting of this species in Dane County and the 20th in Wisconsin!

“They stayed into the evening and were able to watch it for an hour straight. They even sent out a county-wide alert for other birders to come watch the amazing spectacle.”

Although the funds raised by the Great Wisconsin Birdathon make a difference in many ways, the fellowship it creates might be equally important.

“The bond birders foster through the birdathon — with their teams, with other birders, with nature itself — lasts well beyond the 60 days the event runs,” Gaddameedi said.

Zach Wood is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

FIELD TRIPS: NOT JUST FOR KIDS

Want to learn more about critical conservation efforts across Wisconsin while experiencing our state’s lands, waters and wildlife for yourself? Join the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin on one of their more than 250 annual field trips to Wisconsin’s wild places. NRF field trips generally run from April to October and offer unique opportunities for all ages to explore some of Wisconsin’s best natural areas on foot, by bicycle or by boat. All trips are led by experienced naturalists who share their knowledge of and passion for the outdoors as participants enjoy up-close experiences with Wisconsin’s natural world.

Learn more about Natural Resources Foundation field trips and become a member to participate at wisconservation.org/field-trips.

LEARN MORE

For details on the Great Wisconsin Birdathon, including how to participate or make a pledge and how 2023 funds were used, scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2216.

BRITTA PETERSON

CHAD KOWALSKI

JEFF BROWN

Cedar waxwing, spotted by the Round Barn Birders in 2023.

COMBINE OUTDOORS WITH ICONS FOR AN AUTHENTIC WISCONSIN BUCKET-LIST ADVENTURE

From rooftop goats to a musky-shaped museum, Wisconsin is full of unique roadside attractions. Many popular stops also have nearby outdoor activities, so you can explore beautiful scenery, load up on fresh air and stretch your legs while checking off must-see wonders on your bucket list.

Use this guide to plan a road trip that combines iconic roadside stops with outdoor fun nearby.

EMMA MACEK

RACHEL HERSHBERGER/TRAVEL WISCONSIN

RACHEL HERSHBERGER/TRAVEL WISCONSIN

Copper Falls State Park, Mellen.

Stevens Point Sculpture Park, along the Green Circle State Trail.

Peninsula State Park, Door County.

WISCONSIN DNR

Found in DeForest, Pinkie lives at the Shell Station along I-90/94 by the Highway V exit. Nearby, you can visit the MacKenzie Center, less than 20 minutes due north in Poynette, to learn about the natural world through interpretive trails, exhibits and museums. Governor Nelson State Park is about 20 minutes to the south and features a sandy beach on Lake Mendota, a boat launch, a fish cleaning facility, picnic areas, playground equipment and more than 8 miles of trails.

The Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in Hayward welcomes visitors with its landmark giant musky building. After visiting this “shrine to anglers,” take in the beauty of the Northwoods at places like Copper Falls State Park and the Flambeau River State Forest, both just a little over an hour’s drive away.

Located at the Wisconsin-Illinois border in Kenosha, you can’t miss this massive cheesethemed castle while driving along I-41/94. Richard Bong State Recreation Area is a great place to stop if you’re in the area. The 4,500acre park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, hunting and more.

In Mercer, you’ll find the Claire d'Loon, a 16-foot, 2,000-pound singing loon billed as the “world’s largest talking loon.” And just down the road in Woodruff, you’ll find the world’s largest penny. While in the area, there are outdoor areas to explore galore, including the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area and the Bearskin State Trail.

Mars Cheese Castle, Kenosha.

Claire d’Loon, Mercer.

Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame, Hayward.

Pinkie the Pink Elephant, DeForest.

VISIT KENOSHA

NARAYON

MAHON/TRAVEL WISCONSIN

MERCER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

JILL EMMER

Learn about agriculture in Plover and visit the world’s largest potato masher, an iconic 3-ton masher, at the Food and Farm Exploration Center. Then head to the Green Circle or Tomorrow River state trails to enjoy 60 miles of riverfront, prairie, wetland, forest and glacial terrain scenery.

Rooftop goats at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, Door County.

La Crosse is home to the world’s largest six-pack, which is a colossal metal ode to beer, and several fun outdoor activities. From fishing on the Mississippi River to exploring the Great River State Trail or nearby Perrot State Park, you’re sure to enjoy this outdoor lovers’ haven.

While you’re in Door County to see the famous rooftop goats at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant, head over to one of the area’s five state parks: Newport (Ellison Bay), Peninsula (Fish Creek), Potawatomi (Sturgeon Bay), Rock Island (off the northern tip of the Door Peninsula) and Whitefish Dunes (Sturgeon Bay). From exploring miles of hiking trails along the Lake Michigan shoreline to admiring lighthouses, your water adventures await in Door County.

Platteville is home to a huge letter M — 241 feet high and 214 feet wide — topping Platte Mound as a tribute to the area’s mining history and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Belmont Mound State Park is about 10 minutes away, where the top of Belmont Mound rises 1,400 feet above sea level and provides fantastic views of the area.

Emma Macek is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

RACHEL HERSHBERGER/TRAVEL WISCONSIN

DORIS RAPP

World’s largest potato masher, Plover.

The M, Platteville.

Freshly painted six-pack, La Crosse.

PLATTEVILLE REGIONAL CHAMBER

ABBIE GARNESS

Wisconsinites join forces for crucial monitoring project

ANDREA ZANI

Under cover of darkness in spring and summer, Wisconsin’s wetlands practically roar with the sounds of nature. Raccoons quarrel, owls call and answer, and frogs and toads create a symphony of sound that fills the night air.

It is the latter that draws dedicated volunteers to the longest-running amphibian monitoring project in North America, the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey. People like Heidi Conde of Eau Claire, a volunteer since 2010, work to identify and record the species they hear to help DNR biologists gain insights into the state’s frogs and toads.

“Because the sense of sight is limited at night, the sense of hearing becomes more important,” Conde said. “I got involved because I think the survey is

important research since amphibians are a good indicator species for water quality.”

The information she and others collect is vital to scientists managing frog and toad populations, said Andrew Badje, DNR conservation biologist who co-coordinates the project with colleagues Rori Paloski and Tara Bergeson.

“The Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey has done so much for frog and toad conservation in Wisconsin since it started in the early 1980s,” Badje said. “The program has done an exceptional job documenting annual status reports for all our species.”

ANDREW

BADJE

Northern leopard frog Green frog

Gray treefrogs and Cope's gray treefrogs

Wisconsin is home to 11 frog and one toad species, and the survey is key to tracking trends for each one, said Paloski, a DNR herpetologist.

“Some frog species in Wisconsin are rare, and we want to monitor them closely,” Paloski said, “while other species are common, and we want to keep them that way.”

The survey only gets better with time, Paloski added, as volunteers add more data every year.

“Frog populations are known to fluctuate significantly from year to year, even in habitats without human impacts,” she said. “So 20 years of frog survey data is the minimum to calculate population trends. And since we now have 40 years of data, we can start seeing some statistically significant trends.”

VOLUNTEERS ARE KEY

Every year, survey volunteers monitor about 150 permanent roadside routes statewide. Each route has 10 listening stations near wetlands featuring frog and toad breeding habitats.

When conditions are favorable — low winds, relatively warm air temperature, higher humidity — volunteers listen for species calls and record observations. They survey each route three times: in early spring, late spring and summer.

Public involvement is critical to the survey’s success.

“Without our volunteers, this project is not possible — period,” Badje said. “Having over 200 volunteers surveying across the state … it goes much further than what a few biologists can do, and at a fraction of the cost to the state taxpayer.”

Monitoring is essential because frogs and toads are vital to the greater ecosystem.

“Ecologically speaking, frogs and toads are in the middle of the food chain,” Badje said. “By being able to tie frog health and abundance levels to the larger ecosystem picture, volunteers are also documenting environmental health and wellness across a larger scale.”

SECRET TO SUCCESS

While neighboring states have had trouble sustaining similar projects, the dedication of volunteers and commitment of the DNR have allowed this one to thrive.

“Wisconsin’s overall commitment to community science is a point of pride and ultimately the reason the DNR has continued to provide the resources to coordinate the survey,” Badje said.

Frogs are familiar to people, Badje added, which might explain the ongoing public interest.

“They have fond memories while young, picking up frogs and toads,” he said. “They are so accessible to us, compared to other animals.”

Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

LEARN MORE

Scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2191 for a short video featuring sounds of all 12 Wisconsin frog and toad species to help identify which species are in your backyard. To get involved with the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey, visit dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2186.

ANDREW BADJE

ANDREW BADJE

American toad

RORI PALOSKI

Blanchard's cricket frog

DREW FELDKIRCHNER

American bullfrog

ANDI SEDLACEK

The fishing’s always good in Wisconsin.

Before you pick a spot and head out, equip your tackle box so you're ready with the right bobbers, bait and more. We've got your guide right here.

THE TACKLE BOX

Your tackle box doesn’t need to be fancy — a small plastic box with a few compartments to keep your hooks, lures and other items organized is just what you need, especially if you’re new to fishing.

As your love for fishing grows, your tackle box likely will grow, too! You can find modular boxes that allow you to change the size and shape of the compartments. Or try a tackle box backpack to make your trek to the water easier.

MUST-HAVES IN THE BOX

Baits and lures: Use these to attract the fish.

Bobbers or floaters: Keep your line easy to see.

Sinkers: Hold your bait underwater at the proper depth.

Snap swivels: Make it easy to change lures and prevent your line from tangling.

Extra hooks: There are all kinds and sizes of hooks for catching various types of fish.

Extra fishing line: In case your line breaks.

Pocket knife: To cut the line after attaching a hook, swivel or lure.

Needle nose pliers: These help to remove the hook from a fish’s mouth.

Measuring tape: You can be sure you’re within the length limits for any fish you’d like to keep and check if you’ve caught a new personal best.

First aid kit: Have bandages and antibiotic ointment on hand, just in case.

FOR YOU

Fishing rod: For kids, choose a children’s rod and reel combination. For adults, a spinning rod and reel is a good choice.

Fishing license: Anglers ages 16 and up need a fishing license in Wisconsin.

Fishing regulations: Know the rules for the waterbody where you’re fishing.

Sunscreen: Guard your skin from the sun, including rays reflected off the water.

Sunglasses: Protect your eyes.

Snacks: Don’t forget to pack your “snackle box” — you’d hate to cut a trip short because of an empty stomach. Favorite fishing snacks include jerky, nuts, pretzels and dried fruit. And don’t forget the water!

RIGHT BAIT, RIGHT FISH

Just like people, not all fish like to eat the same thing. Know the bait and lures that can attract some common Wisconsin fish.

• Crappie like fathead minnows, worms, insect larvae and artificial lures such as spinners.

• Bluegill are not fussy about their bait, so try worms or insect larvae on a small hook. Use a bobber — bluegill suck in their prey rather than striking at it, so a bobber helps signal a bite.

• Yellow perch prefer minnows, insect larvae, plankton and worms. Use a small, fine wire hook with live bait and a small bobber.

RELEASE RESPONSIBLY

When you’re catch-and-release fishing, a few simple tips will help improve a fish’s chance of survival after you release it.

• Land the fish as quickly as possible and be gentle.

• Keep the fish in the water as much as you can.

New fishing regulations go into effect on March 1 and April 1. Get details on these updates online at dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/regulations or pick up a copy of the Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations 2024-2025 at your local DNR license vendor and add it to your tackle box.

• Handle the fish as little as possible, using wet hands or gloves.

• If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line and let the fish go.

Andi Sedlacek is a publications supervisor in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

LEARN MORE

You don’t need to go far from home for a great fishing spot with plenty of options to shore fish around the state. Learn more about fishing in Wisconsin, such as license information, how to get started, season dates, where to fish and even how you can do it for free. Scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing.

ISTOCK/MYKHAILO TAMAKHIN

DAVID NEVALA PHOTOS

Recycling is a widespread practice across Wisconsin, but practice doesn’t always make perfect.

Many of us close our eyes and cast our plastic foam, plastic household items and other materials into our curbside recycle bins, hoping they’ll be recycled. The truth is, these items aren’t meant for these facilities. That creates more work to reroute them to a landfill, often at taxpayers’ expense.

This phenomenon is known as “wish-cycling” — putting something in your bin when you're not sure it belongs there, but you hope so. It can apply to items that are recyclable, just not in your curbside bin, or items that simply belong in the garbage.

Experts estimate more than 100,000 tons of nonrecyclable materials end up at recycling facilities each year in Wisconsin, with an approximate cost of $6 million in added landfill expenses.

Jennifer Semrau, DNR waste reduction and diversion coordinator, identifies some of the most frequently wish-cycled materials and how to dispose of them properly.

MOLLY MEISTER

1. Plastic bags and wrap. Everyday household shopping bags, plastic that wraps a case of water, bread and produce bags, dry cleaner bags, etc., should not go in your curbside bin. You can recycle clean, dry bags and wraps at retail dropoff locations. Or better yet, reuse them as much as possible. Thicker plastic bags, such as those for dog food and water softener salt, should be thrown in the trash.

2. Batteries. Putting certain batteries in your recycling or trash bin can cause fires. Take rechargeable batteries to a battery drop-off location. It is OK to throw away single-use alkaline batteries.

3. Electronics. These items cannot legally be thrown in the trash. Please take them to an electronics recycler.

4. Tanglers. Items like hoses, ropes, holiday lights and cords can get wrapped in equipment at recycling facilities and cause problems. Scrap metal locations may accept light strings and cords; otherwise, they can be thrown away.

5. Glass. Broken mirrors, eyeglasses and dishware can’t be recycled. Consider donating items in good condition before putting them in the garbage.

6. Yard waste. Organic material can neither be recycled nor taken to a landfill. Consider leaving grass clippings on your lawn, composting leaves or taking materials to a local yard waste drop-off.

Remember that materials like cardboard and paper, plastic and glass bottles, and aluminum and steel cans are always good candidates for the recycling bin, but different municipalities might accept different items. Check for what your curbside recycling program can accept. For more on recycling in Wisconsin, scan the QR code or visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/recycling.

7. Food waste, diapers, pet waste. These items are not recyclable and should never be placed in the recycling bin. Consider composting plant-based food waste, and always place diapers and pet waste in the trash.

8. Sharps/needles. These biohazards must be taken to a registered sharps collection location to protect workers sorting items by hand at recycling facilities.

Molly Meister is a publications supervisor in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

CITY OF MILWAUKEE

Did you know materials are partially sorted by hand at recycling facilities? Keeping sharps like needles, lancets or syringes out of the recycle bin protects workers.

Plastic shopping bags can’t go in curbside bins, but many places accept them for recycling.

WISCONSIN DNR

Every spring it happens — you're walking outside and notice things are a bit louder than they’ve been the last few months. The relative quiet of winter has ended, and the songs of birds fill the Wisconsin air again.

Spring migration is critical for birds to make it safely from their southern wintering grounds back north to their breeding grounds.

Native birds need all the help they can get. Their populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by 30%, or 2.9 billion birds, since 1970, according to a study by researchers from seven renowned organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution.

A 2019 National Audubon Society study also revealed two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk of extinction from climate change. Still, we can help improve the chances for 76% of jeopardized spe-

cies if we act now.

Here are some steps you can take to help protect the safety of our feathered friends.

WINDOW COLLISIONS

Between the reflections made in windows that birds mistake for open spaces and the sheer transparency of the glass, windows can be a serious concern for these migrating animals. As many as 1 billion birds die every

year in the U.S. alone after colliding with buildings, nearly half at our homes. But you can help, one window at a time.

Add UV reflective film or other external markers: When placed on the outside of windows, these films, screens, dot patterns or cords can be almost unnoticeable to the human eye but are visible to birds. Unlike

As many as 1 billion birds die in the U.S. each year after colliding with buildings, but there are ways you can help.

KATIE L. GRANT

LINDA FRESHWATERS ARNDT

Yellow warbler

single decals, they reduce the reflectivity of windows, helping birds discern them as a barrier.

Consider bird feeder or birdbath placement: Placing these helpful objects away from windows can attract birds to areas where they are less likely to collide with windows. Research says to put feeders within 3 feet of a window or no closer than 30 feet. Most humans like to place them about 10 feet outside their picture windows, which is too close and increases the bird’s chances of striking the window.

Migratory birds passing through Wisconsin also need good places to refuel and rest between flights. You can make your backyard, no matter

how big or small, a safe place for them by creating stopover habitats with native plants.

Add native trees, shrubs and wildflowers: Unlike their exotic counterparts, native plants provide birds with essential foods that replenish fat stores used up in long flights. Some good examples are oaks, cherries, spruces, dogwoods and bluestem, though there are many more options.

Scan the QR code or visit dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2226 for “10 Great Native Trees, Shrubs and Plants for Birds” to learn about native plantings that produce lots of insects and fruit for birds to eat.

Proper placement of birdbaths and feeders is important in reducing bird collisions with windows.

PLANT NATIVE

Black-capped chickadee

American goldfinch

Hermit thrush

Katie L. Grant is communications director for the DNR.

LINDA FRESHWATERS ARNDT

LINDA FRESHWATERS ARNDT

LINDA FRESHWATERS ARNDT

Forest industry cuts path to success

ZACH WOOD

Since the days preceding our statehood, Wisconsin's forests and their products have been central to the state's economy.

By the 1830s, America was growing rapidly, and the demand for lumber was almost limitless. So, too, was the supply of trees to provide that lumber, especially in the state's northern half. Or so it seemed to many at the time.

Consequently, loggers harvested an astronomical amount of Wisconsin's trees. The volume of pine harvested from the Black River Valley alone could have built a boardwalk 9 feet wide and 4 inches thick around the entire world, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

From the 1840s to 1910s, most of Wisconsin's famous northern forestlands were cleared through repeated harvests or clear-cutting to supply needed lumber and convert the land to farms. The images of these barren stump fields, commonly seen in textbooks and at local historical societies around the state, are jarring, to say the least.

NEW GROWTH, NEW APPROACH

Today, northern Wisconsin is again home to towering pines and millions of acres of forests. Simultaneously, Wisconsin's paper industry leads the nation in output, and our forest products industry contributes over $24 billion to the state's economy, employing more than 60,000 people annually.

At first glance, those two facts would seem conflicting — how could forests recover, producing twice as much

growth compared to what is harvested, while concurrently supporting a multibillion-dollar industry? The answer lies in the implementation of what is known as sustainable forestry.

“It’s a holistic and intentional approach to forest management that aims to maintain forests as healthy ecosystems that can provide economic, ecological and social benefits for years to come,” DNR forest products team leader Scott Lyon said of sustainable forestry.

“That means strategically harvesting trees to balance the public’s interests in wildlife habitat, aesthetics, soil and water quality, native biological diversity, recreation and forest products.”

DNR lands and county forest programs, totaling nearly 4 million acres in Wisconsin, are dual certified under the standards of both the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, North America's two most widely accepted forest certification systems.

“These independent third-party certifications are renewed each year and subject to annual audits,” Lyon said. “They verify that the management of Wisconsin's forests meets strict ecological, social and economic sustainability standards.”

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Sustainable forestry doesn't just make environmental sense, it can be good for business, too.

“From cardboard sleeves for your coffee cup to the cardboard boxes showing up at your doorstep, you interact with these products every day,” Lyon said. “Businesses see the value in purchasing sustainably sourced forest products.

Sustainable

“That's especially true when those products have the certifications to prove their sustainability, and that's why you see so many of those products coming from Wisconsin.”

Certifications are not limited to products from public lands, Lyon added.

“Perhaps the best example of sustainable forestry in the world, much less in Wisconsin, can be found within the Menominee Tribe’s land in the northeastern part of the state,” he said.

Menominee Tribal Enterprises, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, has harvested nearly 200 million cubic feet of timber from tribal land since the 1850s, Lyon said. MTE supplies consumers around the globe with products such as premium lumber, pulp for paper, firewood and wood byproducts like chips and sawdust.

MTE wood is some of the most sought-after in the world thanks to its quality and commitment to sustainable forestry. It’s so highly regarded that MTE maple was chosen for use as the basketball court at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum.

Wisconsin’s chief state forester Heather Berklund sums it up well: “Independent, third-party certification of sustainable forestry practices helps Wisconsin’s businesses meet their triple bottom line goals for economic, environmental and social success and assures we will have a healthy forest and industry into the future.”

Zach Wood is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

LEARN MORE

For details on how the DNR incorporates sustainable forestry in its forest management efforts, scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2221.

CASSIE LAUREN PHOTO & DESIGN

KATIE L. GRANT

Cucumb ervichyssoisewithpoached lake trout.

Have you ever had pickled sucker? It’s one of the more unique fish to eat in Wisconsin, and food stylist and chef Stef Endres of Simply Food Styling has no shortage of stories about doing so.

She claims to have never found a fish she doesn’t like and compares this delightful spring nibble to be “a little bit like herring … not lutefisk, that’s gross.” So maybe she has found one fish, or preparation of it, that she doesn’t like.

Endres grew up in southern Germany, in a part of the country that feels very much like it could be southern Wisconsin. And if you had asked her parents, they’d have described her as a “forest child,” she said, always bringing home animals and playing outside in the forest across from her house.

Endres said she’s always been naturally drawn to the outdoors. “I think it has something to do with almost a spiritual journey whenever I'm in nature, especially in the woods and on the water. It just gives me serenity. There’s a freedom and peace watching the sun rise on the river.”

As a young adult, she became interested in journalism and writing, eventually moving to Heidelberg for a photography program. While there, she worked for a hotel and restaurant that housed American soldiers.

In 1998, a journalist unit from Madison arrived and began to joke that Endres should visit the U.S. and study there for fun. She was just about to graduate, so she figured, “Why not?” and

applied to a program in La Crosse to learn more about photography and art.

One thing led to another — she met her future husband, and the rest is history.

FOOD AND THE OUTDOORS

When talking to Endres, it feels like she’s lived 10 lifetimes and always has a story to tell that has the listener on the edge of their seat. She’s moved halfway around the world and has collected many unique life experiences.

Endres was the first food stylist in the photo studio for Swiss Colony, the food gifts company based in Monroe. She’s had a pig farm, and a cheese and sausage store she owned with a friend in Paoli, where she butchered her own animals to make the sausage they sold. She’s started to write a children’s book and a cookbook, she’s done catering, and the list goes on.

But through it all, her love of food and the outdoors has been there.

“I cannot remember a time when we did not help out cooking. My mom was always very open about getting us kids in the kitchen,” Endres said. “The earliest memory of food I have is my grandma's Christmas goose. When I close my eyes and I think about it, I can smell it.

“Food memories have a lot to do with smell — I can walk through a place outdoors, and I smell something, and it can revive a memory of cooking or food. Food is just something that always came naturally to me. At the end of the day, I just hope my food makes people happy.”

If you’re looking for Endres, try heading down to the local river. After returning from Germany when her mother died, Endres found it was spending time on the Sugar River that brought her serenity.

“Being on the river in the moonlight and kayaking, and all you hear is the animals around you and the sound of your paddle,” she said. “There’s just something about it.”

COOKING KEPT SIMPLE

While on the water, she’ll fish for anything, though her hands-down favorite is catfish from the Sugar River because of its sandy bottom. When she’s in Germany, it’s barsch, or Perca fluviatilis (European perch), a fish that’s very common in lakes in Austria and Germany.

Endres encourages those fishing Wisconsin’s waterways to keep simplicity in mind when cooking their catch. Her favorite method is pan frying in half butter and oil with some eggs and breadcrumbs, salt, pepper and paprika, plus maybe some Greek seasoning and lemon.

She also subscribes to the motto that if you catch it, try to find a way to eat it.

That might mean whipping up a northern meunière, a French method that includes brown butter, parsley and lemon. Or maybe try smoked lake trout tartare or cucumber vichyssoise with poached lake trout, as you’ll find on the next pages — both are much easier for the home chef to make than their names imply.

Katie L. Grant is communications director for the DNR.

These recipes were created by chef Stef Endres for the Wisconsin DNR as part of a campaign funded by the federal CARES Act to promote commercially caught fish in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s Great Lakes fisheries are carefully managed for sustainability through regulation and monitoring. When shopping or eating at restaurants, look for lake trout, lake whitefish, cisco and yellow perch from Wisconsin. Or catch your own — it’s easy when you head out on the big lakes with the help of a Wisconsin fishing charter! To learn more about enjoying Great Lakes fish, scan the QR code or check dnr.wisconsin.gov/ChooseGreatLakesFish.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 oz cream cheese

• ½ cup heavy whipping cream

• 4 oz smoked lake trout, torn into pieces

• ½ lemon, juiced

• 2 mini cucumbers, seeded and finely diced

• 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish

• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 4 slices pumpernickel bread

DIRECTIONS

Looking for a way to enjoy Wisconsin’s commercial fishing harvest? Try Lake Michigan whitefish with ancient grains.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 6-8 oz portions of whitefish fillets

• ½ lemon

1. Beat the cream cheese until soft. Separately, beat the heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks have formed.

2. With a spatula, combine the cream cheese, whipped cream, smoked lake trout, lemon juice, diced cucumbers, horseradish, dill and paprika. For a smoother texture, blend together using a blender.

3. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.

4. This appetizer can be served as a dip with pieces of pumpernickel bread. Or cut pumpernickel into rounds and make into finger sandwiches, topping with thinly sliced cucumber, a dollop of the whipped cream and a sprig of dill.

• 1 tablespoon salt

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

• Cornmeal flour to dip the fish

• 1½ cups ancient grain mix (can be a store-bought mix or make your own with quinoa, amaranth, chia seeds or rice to your liking)

• 1 cup vegetable stock

• 1 tablespoon ghee

• 1 tablespoon high-heat oil such as avocado oil

• 1 pouch (8 oz) prepared lentils

• 2 mini cucumbers, thinly sliced with a peeler into long ribbons

Smoked lake trout tartare is great as a dip with pumpernickel bread, or turn it into fun finger sandwiches with cucumber.

• 1 cup pink grapefruit segments

• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: fresh mango, pineapple or peach salsa for topping

DIRECTIONS

1. Rub the lake whitefish fillets with the cut lemon and season with salt, pepper and Cajun seasoning on both sides. After seasoning, coat the fillets with fine cornmeal flour, lightly pressing down to adhere. Then gently shake the excess breading and set aside until ready to pan fry.

2. Begin preparing the ancient grains by cooking according to package instructions, using vegetable stock in place of water.

3. Using a large pan big enough for the fillets to avoid crowding, heat ghee and oil until hot. Test the heat of your oil with a wooden spoon —

Chef Stef Endres of Simply Food Styling loves just about any kind of fish.

KATIE L. GRANT

INGREDIENTS

• 8 oz lake trout fillet cut into 2 oz portions

• 1 cup ghee

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

• 1 can coconut milk

• ½ cup whipping cream

• ½ cup vegetable stock

• 1 English cucumber, seeded and cut into 1-inch chunks

• 2 tablespoons fresh dill

Optional: green onion or chives, lemon oil or ghee for garnish, crusty bread or puff pastry sticks. if it creates bubbles around your spoon, it’s hot enough.

4. Add fish, pan frying over medium-high heat until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per side. Fry in batches if needed to ensure fillets are not crowded in the pan. Place the fish on paper towels to absorb excess grease.

5. Once grains are cooked, combine with heated, cooked lentils.

6. Add cucumbers and grapefruit segments. Season to taste.

7. Divide the mixture onto plates and top with fish, serving immediately. If desired, top with a refreshing mango, pineapple or peach salsa.

DIRECTIONS

1. Select a pot small enough to allow your fish pieces to be fully submerged but large enough they won’t be touching. Melt ghee in your pan on the lowest heat setting — use a thermometer to ensure the ghee doesn’t exceed 140 F throughout the process.

2. Season your fish on both sides using salt and pepper. Add to the pan and let poach for 8-10 minutes.

3. While your fish poaches, add your potatoes to a pot and cover completely with water. Bring to a boil and let cook for 8-10 minutes or until soft throughout.

4. Once potatoes are cooked, place them in a blender with coconut milk, whipping cream, vegetable stock, cucumber and dill. Blend on high until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. For a brighter flavor, add 2 tablespoons of fresh green onion or chive.

5. Chill for at least one hour or overnight. If chilling overnight, be sure to give the mixture a final blend before serving for a smooth texture.

6. To plate, divide the chilled soup into shallow bowls. Place the poached fish in the center of each bowl. Garnish as desired with dill, chives, a drizzle of lemon oil or ghee and crusty bread or puff pastry sticks.

Cucumber vichyssoise with poached lake trout is easier for the home chef to make than the name might suggest.

KATIE L. GRANT

KATIE L. GRANT

The allure and importance of Wisconsin’s state flower

ANDREA ZANI

As the grass greens up every spring, you might start to notice patches of purple painting the landscape, especially in the moist soils of shaded forests and woodlands. These lovely bursts of color are the humble wood violet, a common native Wisconsin plant and the official state flower.

Blooming throughout spring and sometimes again in fall, the perennial wood violet has been around for centuries. The plant is so profuse it often just appears — everywhere from state trails to local parks to the backyards of Wisconsin.

“I’ve never known of anyone intentionally planting it,” said Amy Staffen, DNR conservation biologist and plant expert. “It just shows up.”

Not many nurseries sell it, she added, though she knows of at least one that does.

Check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1391 for more about native plants and nurseries that sell them.

The plant’s prolific nature is likely attributed to the many ways it reproduces. It can cross-pollinate, self-pollinate, spread rhizomes and explode seeds long distances. What’s more, DNR botanist Jessica Ross added, wood violet seeds can be dispersed by ants.

“The plants produce a fleshy, nutrient-rich structure on the seeds, called elaiosomes, which the ants eat and leave the seed behind,” Ross said.

GOOD FOR POLLINATORS

In 1909, Wisconsin schoolchildren voted to select the wood violet as the state flower, choosing it over the wild rose, trailing arbutus and white water lily. It’s also the state flower of Illinois, New Jersey and Rhode Island.

Alternatively called the common blue violet, its biologi-

Wood violets, largely a volunteer species, add early spring color to the landscape and are a good resource for pollinators.

cal classification is Viola sororia or sometimes Viola papilionacea. Plants grow about 4 inches tall, with a spread of 8 inches.

Though small, wood violets brighten an early spring garden. And flowering before much else is up, they play an important role for pollinators.

NOT JUST A PRETTY FLOWER

In addition to helping bees and butterflies, wood violets can serve as food for rabbits, deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife. The plant also can be consumed by people.

Medicinal uses of wood violets have been recorded historically. The Indigenous Peoples’ Perspective Project from Maryland’s Adkins Arboretum cites the historic usage of violets in treating coughs, indigestion, joint pain, headaches and other symptoms. Of course, should you be interested in learning more or trying it yourself, it’s recommended to talk with a doctor first.

Today, it can be found in a variety of preparations in the kitchen.

“Young leaves can be eaten raw, and older leaves can be cooked like spinach,” Ross said, reminding gardeners to be sure no chemicals have been sprayed in the area before consuming.

“The flowers are also edible, and people often make syrup or jelly with them,” she added. “One fun thing about infusions with the flowers is that they’ll change color from blueish to bright pink when you add something acidic to them — think color-changing lemonade.”

Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.

dryer balls

Spring sunshine means the start of longer, warmer days. For many of us, it also illuminates the clutter that has settled into our homes during the cold winter months.

If seeing dust particles dance through early spring sunbeams isn’t your definition of a good time, this article is for you. Make your spring cleaning more sustainable and dive into the joys of a cleaner, greener home in six easy steps.

1. Repurpose household items

Most people overlook household essentials with secret double identities as cleaning products. Remember that worn-down toothbrush? It’s perfect for cleaning shoes, grout or other small, detailed objects. You can give old towels and T-shirts a second life as cleaning rags. And you can reuse those online shopping boxes you’ve saved since the holidays as storage containers.

2. Find sustainable alternatives to disposal

Buy reusable mop heads, dryer balls and other long-term cleaning tools to prevent waste. Cleaning is about removing the junk around your home — don’t create more waste by purchasing single-use items. Also, consider donating items like gently used clothes, toys, tools or cutlery. Your donations divert waste from Wisconsin’s landfills and help provide affordable items for members of your community.

3. Try something new

Reduce chemical use by incorporating nontoxic and contemporary cleaning methods into your repertoire. Simple substitutes include vinegar, which can kill E. coli and salmonella; hydrogen peroxide, which sanitizes, disinfects and deodorizes; baking soda, which doesn’t scratch surfaces; and castile soap, which lifts dirt and grime.

4. Use natural scent-makers

Ditch the floral candles and pine-scented plug-ins and add the real deal to your living spaces. Fresh-cut boughs, potted plants, flowers and citrus slices are all-natural (and compostable) ways to make your home smell fresh all year. You can even make a simmer pot with citrus or cinnamon to take it to the next level!

5. Swap responsibly

For most messes, some combination of soap, water, baking soda or vinegar usually does the trick. But sometimes, extra-stubborn stains need industrial-strength solutions. It’s OK to use traditional cleaning products when needed, but know how to store, use and dispose of them. Which leads us to our final tip …

GARRETT DIETZ

6. Properly dispose of chemicals

Keep chemicals out of the reach of children, and never dump them on your lawn or down the drain. If you have old cleaners, pesticides, stains or paints around your house and aren’t sure what to do with them, ask the experts at your local waste collection facility or bring them to a local Household Hazardous Waste Collection location or “Clean Sweep” event. Learn more at dnr.wi.gov/tiny/1406.

Garrett Dietz is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

Make an at-home stain-fighting solution with this soft-scrubbing formula from Waukesha County Recycling and Solid Waste. You will need:

• ½ cup baking soda

• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap

• 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin

Combine all parts and add water until the cleaner reaches your desired consistency.

You can store the creamy mixture in any sealed container for up to two years. It’s excellent for cleaning the kitchen or bathroom and is tough on grease! Apply with a damp cloth for maximum cleaning power.

ISTOCK/MARCUS CHUNG

Back in the Day

When redevelopment happens in areas that once housed dry cleaning businesses, the DNR steps in to help with any remediation needs.

In the 1940s, many family-run dry cleaners found they needed to make a change to how they operated. The U.S. military was fighting World War II and trichloroethylene, known as TCE, was being used more and more as a helpful agent to clean weapons and produce metal parts for the soldiers overseas.

The problem for dry cleaners was that TCE was their preferred chemical. It wasn’t flammable like the gasoline that had previously been used.

But everyone had a role to play in supporting the war effort. Some people started victory gardens, and others participated by collecting scrap metal and even aluminum foil gum wrappers as part of “Salvage for Victory” initiatives. Dry cleaners would do their part by finding alternative solutions for their businesses, allowing TCE supplies to be prioritized for the war efforts.

JODY IRLAND

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY #15117

As a result, these businesses turned to perchloroethylene. What wasn’t known at the time were the unintended consequences of PCE on the environment and the health of our communities for decades to come.

CONCERNS THAT LINGER

Even a small spill or leak of dry cleaning chemicals matters. A gasket that leaks just once each second can release hundreds of gallons of solvent in a single year. And it doesn’t just disappear — PCE can exist in the ground for decades because it doesn’t degrade easily and can spread beyond the original spill, sometimes even entering groundwater.

In the 2000s, it became widely recognized that historical dry cleaning chemical spills and disposal also could result in unhealthy indoor air quality conditions. Vapors emanating from contaminated soil, groundwater or sanitary sewers can enter a building, typically through cracks or gaps in the foundation. This is called vapor intrusion.

The vapors bring chemicals into the indoor air, which can cause unsafe indoor air quality and result in adverse health effects to building occupants. The contaminated vapors are often odorless and colorless, making them hard to identify without special testing.

The good news is the dry cleaning industry has improved substantially in the past century. Developments in eco-friendly cleaning solutions and better regulations have added to a significant reduction in the amount of PCE used today.

However, many former dry cleaner locations have since been redeveloped into different businesses, and spills or leaks of those chemicals may continue to hide below the surface.

DNR INVOLVEMENT

The Wisconsin DNR is a national leader in addressing vapor intrusion from historical dry cleaning operations, thanks to an internal team created in the 1990s to help investigate and clean up properties that left behind contamination. The team provides training and resources to the public, from environmental scientists who help clean up contaminated sites to people who might be affected by vapor intrusion.

The DNR also is working on a project to identify the locations of former dry cleaners in Wisconsin. And in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the DNR has created the Vapor Intrusion Prevention & Partnership Toolkit. The goal is to help inform communities about vapor intrusion and provide resources for assessing and minimizing risks.

Although the historical use of PCE in dry cleaning has had unintended negative and lasting implications for human and environmental safety, the DNR continues to identify new ways to work with partners to mitigate risk, create public awareness and identify potential areas of concern regarding vapor intrusion.

Jody Irland is a learning specialist with the DNR.

LEARN MORE

For details on vapor intrusion, including help for property owners and building occupants, scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/topic/vapor.

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY #88813

WISCONSIN HISTORICAL SOCIETY #70012

Unbeknownst to dry cleaners of the past, the perchloroethylene they were using for operations would have lasting negative impacts on the environment.

Reduce runoff with a beautiful rain garden

GARRETT DIETZ

We all know spring showers bring May flowers, but we don’t usually consider what else the rain brings into our watershed.

As raindrops plummet from above and strike surfaces like rooftops, parking lots and driveways, they pick up hitchhikers — tiny particles of dirt, industrial debris, oil and salt — and give them a ride to the nearest body of water. As you can imagine, that isn’t great for our environment. So, what can we do?

One solution is to retain water on our properties to prevent raindrops from becoming runoff. One great way to do this also happens to be a beautiful landscaping technique: the rain garden.

Rain gardens are small, shallow or low areas filled with plants to reduce polluted storm water from entering waterways. Studies show rain gardens capture between 30% and 40% more water than traditional grass lawns, reducing the amount of water that reaches our lakes and rivers carrying household fertilizers, pesticides, oils and other contaminants.

“Rain gardens not only enhance the beauty and utility of a property, but also positively impact water quality,”

said Shannon Haydin, DNR storm water runoff section manager. “Anytime we can prevent a raindrop from becoming runoff or urban storm water, the better it is for our ecosystems.”

These little flower beds pack big environmental benefits. And when created using Wisconsin native plants, they also provide excellent pollinator habitat, giving it the old one-two punch.

BUILDING A RAIN GARDEN

First, you need a plan. This includes where to put the garden (hint: look for drain spouts and low areas) and how big to make it. Basic rules include staying 10 feet from building foundations and planting on a downslope, with typical household rain gardens ranging between 100 and 300 square feet.

Once you’ve settled on size and location, you’re ready to break ground. Contact Diggers Hotline — check diggershotline.com or dial 811 — to ensure you excavate dirt, not utility lines. Also, avoid areas with heavy tree root cover or objects like a well or septic system.

If needed, modify your soil by adding compost or sand. Otherwise, you’re ready to plant and mulch.

Once established, after about a year of weeding and upkeep, rain gardens require little maintenance. Sit back and enjoy the native flowers, pollinators and positive impact on freshwater.

Garrett Dietz is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

LEARN MORE

The DNR’s rain garden webpage includes links to guides covering everything from rain garden sizing to selecting the right native plants. Scan the QR code or check dnr.wi.gov/tiny/2441.

PRAIRIE NURSERY

DANIEL ROBINSON

Wild bergamot attracts pollinators and brightens any landscape.

ANDI SEDLACEK

Are you excited to plant a garden this summer? Guess what — you can start your garden now!

You can plant seeds for vegetables and other plants inside during the spring and get them ready to transfer outside as soon as it’s warm enough. Using a cardboard egg carton, you’re recycling, too, and that’s a win-win!

Just think of how much more fun it’ll be to eat your veggies this summer when you and your family have grown them yourselves.

SUPPLIES

• cardboard egg carton

• scissors

• small knife

• potting soil

• seeds

• water

Use an egg carton to start seeds indoors so the seedlings will be ready to plant outside as soon as the weather warms up.

• plastic bag (a bread bag works well)

• twist tie

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut the egg carton in half using the scissors, separating the top lid from the bottom where the eggs go.

2. On the bottom part, ask a grown-up to help you use the small knife to poke two or three little holes in each egg section.

3. Fill each egg section with a small amount of potting soil.

4. Plant two or three seeds in each egg section, according to the directions on the seed packets.

5. Place the bottom part of the egg carton on the top lid so it acts like a tray to catch any extra water.

6. Water the egg sections just a little bit.

7. Place the egg carton in the plastic bag and close it with the twist tie.

8. Set the carton in a sunny window and water it when the soil looks dry.

9. When you start to see tiny green plants poking up out of the soil, remove the plastic bag.

A cloudy day works best to plant your seedlings outdoors so they don’t get scorched by the sun.

PREP YOUR PLANTS

When the seedlings are big enough, usually four to six weeks after planting them based on the type of plant, you can get them ready to plant in the garden by taking them outside daily. This is called hardening and takes about one week.

On the first day, place the carton in the shade for one to two hours, protected from wind, and then bring it inside overnight. On Day 2, set the carton in the shade for up to four hours, then bring it inside.

On Day 3, place the carton in the sun for one to two hours, then bring it inside in the shade for the rest of the day. For the next four days, increase the amount of time the carton spends in the sun.

After Day 7, the seedlings should be strong enough to plant in your garden!

Be sure to pick a cloudy day to plant your seedlings outside so they do not get scorched by the sun. Use scissors to cut each egg section out and either remove the seedling and soil from the egg section to plant or put the whole section — including the cardboard — in the garden.

Here are some ideas that should work well for your seed starter.

• tomatoes

• squash

• beans

• kale

• lettuce

• sunflowers

Giving seeds a head start early in spring can help make for a better garden later in the year.

Andi Sedlacek is a publications supervisor in the DNR’s Office of Communications.

ISTOCK/MIODRAG IGNJATOVIC

ISTOCK/SYLVIA BIANCHINI

ISTOCK/SOLSTOCK

NEW YORK TIMES

SUNDAY CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 ____ Pérignon

4 Result of a sand save, in golf

7 Letter-shaped groove used in framing

12 Subway stop: Abbr.

15 Chicago Booth offering, in brief

18 Computer text standard

20 ‘‘If all goes well . . ’’

21 Shook a leg

23 Traditional Indonesian percussion orchestra

24 Baseball manager who once instructed his team to ‘‘pair up in threes’’

25 It may be a lot outside the city

26 180s

27 It helps you get the picture

30 Sportscaster Hershiser

31 Annual Pebble Beach event

33 ‘‘That is hilarious!’’

34 Cite

35 Food-pyramid group

37 Orange-juice specification

39 Place for poissons

41 IV placers

42 Support staff: Abbr.

47 Hostile party

48 Blue ____ (symbol of Delaware)

51 ‘‘The Terrible’’ czar

53 Mirror

55 Sad response to ‘‘How was the game?’’

57 Feel discontented

58 Having knobby bumps

59 Heretofore, poetically

60 Metal receptacle by a fireplace

61 College student’s earnings

62 Student’s do-over

63 Table scraps

65 Absinthe flavoring

66 1974 C.I.A. spoof

67 Brand name on a Go-Gurt box

70 Hovers menacingly

71 Like a tuxedo bib

75 Athlete Arthur

76 Alley ____

78 Leaves on the shelf?

79 Sportage automaker

80 Language with 44 consonant symbols

81 ‘‘____ knows?’’

82 Back in the day

83 Suffix with east or west

84 Rubik with a cube

86 Fertility-clinic donations

87 Ohio home to Cedar Point, the ‘‘Roller Coaster Capital of the World’’

89 Airline to Oslo

90 Guys in commercials

92 Steering implement

93 Burdensome amount

95 Giant Mel

96 Shelley’s ‘‘____ Skylark’’

97 Leave one’s mark, in a way

99 Spot

100 One with two years to go, informally

102 270° from sur

105 Hide ____ hair

106 Prepare to skate

108 Soldier’s helmet, in old slang

110 Place to find a crook

111 Downhearted

113 After-school helper

115 Blanket

117 Lab dropper

118 Character with character

119 Welcome policy at a bar

120 Bagel topper

121 Anthony of ‘‘In the Heights’’ and ‘‘Hamilton’’

122 Seventh heaven

DOWN

1 Unearthed

2 ____ personality

3 Duplicating machine

4 Primary person, informally

5 Primary person?

6 Acclaims

7 Bone attached to the patellar tendon

8 Unit of stamps

9 Poet Federico García ____

10 Talk show host nominated for an Academy Award

11 Whisper from Don Juan

12 Lacking

13 Sashimi choice

14 Verb in some tautologies

15 The ‘‘thing’’ in ‘‘Is this thing on?’’

16 Che Guevara wore one

17 ‘‘Easy on Me’’ singer

19 Activist Chavez

22 Director Walsh of old Hollywood

28 Bygone tape type

29 Seeming eternity

32 Italian dipping sauce

34 Netflix series starring the Fab Five

36 Legacy of 72-Down, seven of which appear among this puzzle’s answers and one more suggested by the black squares in the middle of the grid

38 Something that’s big with the current generation?

39 Actress Sorvino

40 Some nights of celebration

42 Ethically indifferent

43 Tangential remarks

44 When the original Big Five ruled Hollywood

45 Magical objects

46 Union members

49 Those, in Spanish

50 Cereal-box abbr.

52 Designer Miller

53 Relative of Ltd.

54 Hosp. areas

56 Unleashes upon

64 Bygone tape dispenser

66 Failed device meant to communicate with the dead

67 Swerves at sea

68 Org. that sets worker exposure limits

69 Object in the classic painting ‘‘His Master’s Voice’’

72 With [circled letters reading clockwise], American icon born 2/11/1847

73 Common spot for a wasp nest

74 Primatologist Fossey

77 You can trip on it in the desert

79 Didn’t stop

82 Sharer’s possessive

85 Late harvest mo.

88 Novelist Brown

91 Tilling tool

94 Without gender, in Latin

95 Egyptian god of death and rebirth

97 Barbershop sounds

98 Kind of bond

99 Seasonal inflatable

101 Chaos

103 Tastes

104 Board of a cosmetics company?

106 Bard’s instrument

107 Cougar

108 Hideki ____, W.W. II prime minister

109 P.I.s, e.g.

112 Gender abbr.

114 Cat’s pa

116 Turn bad