Celebrate International Beaver Day – April 7,2025

By Wendy Kraly April 5, 2025 (Photo credit Len Hyke)- Beavers Wetlands & Wildlife (B.W.W.) created International Beaver Day in 2009. Why April 7th? It is a day of celebration in remembrance of Dorothy Richard’s birthday in 1894. Dorothy was given the nickname the ‘Beaver Woman’ for dedicating 50 years of her life to studying this fascinating keystone species. 

This day is an opportunity to provide awareness about the importance beavers bring to our ecosystem, including keeping our water clean which allows our fish and wildlife to flourish across Oneida County. They create habitat for the 75% of Wisconsin’s wildlife species that spend time in wetlands during all, or part, of their life cycle. In areas where beavers engage in wetland building activity, plant biodiversity increases as much as 33%.

Some beaver benefits include:

• Acting as “Earth’s Kidneys,” cleaning and purifying stream water, removing silt and contaminants, including road salt and nitrates.
• Holding water on the landscape for slow, gradual release, decreasing damage from floods, reducing bank erosion, mitigating effects of drought and replenishing aquifers.
• Preventing the spread of wildfires through natural fuel breaks and providing a safe haven for wildlife.
• Absorbing and capturing greenhouse gases.
• Regulating and maintaining water levels in lakes, rivers and ponds.

The beaver symbolizes hard work, community, adaptability, perseverance, productivity and resourcefulness. The phrases “Busy as a Beaver” and “Eager Beaver” both started appearing around the 1300s based on observations of this unique animal in nature.

How can we celebrate beavers today? 

• Email this to your network. 
• Create a fun post on your social media. Make sure to include some facts using the below resources, and/or include a link to this one-page Beaver Fact Sheet 
  • Beaver Research & Resources 
  • Beaver Library 
• Print or email these one-page non-lethal methods handouts and share with your neighbors, local businesses, resorts, tourist centers and libraries:
  • Resources for Working with Beavers 
• Visit a lake, pond or river in your area and try to locate a beaver dam or lodge. You may even catch a glimpse of these fascinating animals doing their work. Although, most work is done at night.
• Share this amazing video of the largest beaver dam in the world: (59) This Beaver Dam is So Huge, You Can See It from Space | Climate Heroes - YouTube 
• Share this Wisconsin story of how to successfully implement beaver non-lethal methods: How one Wisconsin landowner is using non-lethal methods to manage beavers
• Find an activity to engage with children that provides both education and fun: Activities for kids - Beaver Trust 

With the environmental challenges we are facing today, the beaver is one great example of how we can restore biodiversity and provide resiliency to communities from the harsh effects of climate change.

Go Beavers Go!

By Tom Wiensch December 19, 2024, (Photo credit Len Hyke)- The history of forests and forestry in Wisconsin is long and storied. The tales from the big cutover of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which include mythical creatures and massive tragedies like the Peshtigo Fire, have left an indelible mark on Wisconsin Culture.

  More recently, our forests have provided ecosystems and products that sustain traditional indigenous culture, habitat for animals, jobs, raw materials, and recreation. Importantly, our forests also protect our lakes and rivers, sequester carbon, and provide clean air.

  Currently, about 46% of Wisconsin is forested. Of Wisconsin’s 72 counties, Oneida County is in the top tier at number 11 with 77% of the County being forested. Oneida County has a substantial county forest of 83,000 acres along with state and national forest lands. The County also contains much of the nearly 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest and other industrial forest land. Historically this has made Oneida County an important part of the forest products and recreation industries in Wisconsin.

  As the world changes, though, the forests of Wisconsin and the industries they support are also changing. Recently, Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) issued a report on the risks that Wisconsin’s forests are facing. The report is: Wisconsin’s Green Fire. (2024). Wisconsin forests at risk: engaging Wisconsinites in another century of forest conservation [White paper]. The report is available at:  Opportunities Now 2024: Wisconsin Forests at Risk • Wisconsin’s Green Fire   Also, you may register for a free December 15th, Wisconsin's Forests at Risk webinar hosted by WGF at:  Meeting Registration - Zoom 

   WGF is a professionally staffed organization that was founded in 2017. Its mission is to “advance science-informed analysis and policy solutions that address Wisconsin’s greatest conservation challenges.” As part of that mission, WGF publishes issue papers in its “Opportunities Now” series that summarize science and background information concerning key conservation and environmental issues and makes policy recommendations that support conservation.

   The “Forests at Risk” paper describes how ecological, economic, and social changes are affecting Wisconsin forests and are likely to change the ownership and management of the forests in ways that decrease the benefits that forests provide. The paper also makes recommendations and offers hope for the future.

Among the risks to forests and forestry cited by WGF are:

• · The loss of tree species and other species. Example – The loss of ash species due to emerald ash borer.
• · Over-browsing by deer changing the composition of forests. Examples – Restricted regeneration of white cedar.
• · A decline in biodiversity and the condition of forest, caused in part by invasive species. Example – The domination of the understory in some forests by non-native buckthorn.
• · Climate change. Examples – The change in forest species and shorter winter logging seasons.
• · Changing forest age. Examples – Fewer young forests and very few old growth forests.
• · Declining markets for forest products. Example – The decline of pulpwood markets caused in part by the decline in demand for writing paper.
• · Landowner goals changing from forestry to development and other non-forestry uses. Example – The decline in forest product prices and increase reforestation costs leading landowners to divide and develop forest land.
• · The development of carbon markets. Example – These markets represent a new use for forests, but the markets may not be as accessible to smaller landowners.
• · Fragmentation and a decrease in size of private forests. Example – Land is cleared for development, decreasing continuity of forests, and making forests less suitable for certain species.

The “Forests at Risk” paper also offers ideas for actions things that can be done to address the risks our forests are facing. Examples include:

• · Working to stop forest fragmentation.
• · Preparing for invasive species by researching, monitoring, and keeping forests diverse.
• · More strongly integrating the fields of forest management and wildlife management.
• · Increasing the recruitment and training of loggers, and assuring their access to financing, insurance, and training certifications.
• · Retaining and expanding programs which provide incentives to landowners to keep their lands forested.
• · Using regional planning to optimize opportunities to achieve conservation of forests and ensure a supply of forest products.
• These are only a few of the steps recommended by WGF. Additionally, other agencies, organizations and individuals have been working to address these issues. Examples:
• · The creation of a seedbank which will include black ash seeds by the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) and the Lac Vieux Desert Nursery, as described in an article in the Winter 2024 – 2025 issue of “Mazina’igan: A Chronicle of the Lake Superior Chippewa” published by GLIFWC.
• · The work being done by the River Alliance of Wisconsin to launch a Manoomin (wild rice) Stewards Project. Although perhaps not conventionally considered a forest plant, Manoomin is a native plant, culturally significant to Wisconsin’s Native American people, which occupies many lakes within Wisconsin forests.
• · The purchase by the State of Wisconsin of a conservation easement on the nearly 70,000-acre Pelican River Forest.
• · The efforts of Individuals like Joe and Mary Hovel and groups like the Northwoods Alliance in purchasing land to prevent forest fragmentation.

Finally, WGF calls for a statewide conversation involving all stakeholders, including local, county, state, federal and tribal leaders, conservation and industry organizations, and communities.

  WGF is right; the conversation needs to involve all stakeholders. Also, it’s important that all stakeholders act responsibly to conserve the forests of Wisconsin.

  In Oneida County, the County Planning and Development Committee is currently working on rewriting the County’s Comprehensive Plan. A re-write is done every ten years and addresses such things as land use. Comprehensive plans are very important, as they establish land use goals, and because state law requires that county ordinances comply with comprehensive plans.

  In working on the re-write, the Committee has been accepting written and verbal public comments. Some have commented in favor of the protection of forests in Oneida County for logging, recreation, and the clean air and water that they provide. Others have asked that the plan limit the ability of landowners to conserve forests, restrict such forest recreation projects as bike trail development, and have called for mining in the forests.

  It is critical that the leadership of Oneida County bear in mind the fact that logging and recreation are two keystones of our economy. The Comprehensive Plan must recognize these economic facts as well as the cultural and societal importance of forests in Oneida County. The plan should not attempt to restrict the rights of landowners to protect their forests and should recognize that the majority of Oneida County citizens do not wish to have forest land converted into mines. The history and future of Oneida County as a good place to live, work, and play is closely tied to its forests.

By Tom Wiensch October 10, 2024-

Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Facts and History

The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program (“KNP”) exists to allow Wisconsin to preserve natural areas and wildlife habitat, protect water quality and fisheries, and create opportunities for outdoor recreation.  Created 35 years ago, the program was named after two notable Wisconsin conservationists:  Warren Knowles (R) Governor of Wisconsin 1965-17, and Gaylord Nelson (D) U.S. Senator from Wisconsin 1964-81.

  Sometimes thought of as a land acquisition fund, the KNP is much more than that, having been used to acquire lands and easements, but also to develop and support recreational infrastructure such as local parks, boat landings, campsites, beaches, and recreational trails.

KNP has helped fund dozens of projects in Oneida County, including:

• The Minocqua boat landing
• The Town of Sugar Camp Lion’s Park (Play equipment, basketball courts, bleachers etc.)
• The Brandy Lake Beach in the Town of Arbor Vitae (Play equipment, wood fiber base, timbers & access pad)
• Renovation of the City of Rhinelander Hodag Park Public Boat Landing
• The Oneida County Perch Lake Park and Trails (Shelter, restroom & equipment storage)
• Fredrick’s Public Boat Landing on the Wisconsin River near McNaughton
• The Bearskin State Trail (Snowmobiling, biking, and walking) Aquisition
• Minocqua-Kawaguesaga Lakes chemical treatment of invasive Eurasian water milfoil
• Acquisition of land for the Northern Highland – American Legion State Forest
• Road, parking lot, shelter, water system, toilet, and picnic area at the Town of Newbold Wooden Bridge Park
• Lake Tomahawk Boat Launch restroom facilities
• City of Rhinelander Boyce Drive Boat landing

  An interactive map of KNP projects can be seen here - https://knowlesnelson.org/an-interactive-map-of-knowles-nelson-grants/ 

  The KNP funds are budgeted by the Wisconsin Legislature, and it is currently funded through 2026.  A few legislators have called into question whether it should be funded in the future.  Among Wisconsin residents, though, KN is very popular.  A 2023 survey paid for by The Nature Conservancy and conducted by the nationally recognized bipartisan research team of FM3 Research (D) and New Bridge Strategy (R) found that, although many residents did not know about the KNP, once they were informed about it, an overwhelming majority favored it.  More detailed results of the survey can be viewed here - https://www.nature.org/content/dam/tnc/nature/en/documents/2023-Polling-on-Stew-Fund-Results-Press.pdf

  The Increasing Veto of Stewardship Projects by Members of the Joint Finance Committee

 For much of the history of the Fund, the small Joint Committee of Finance has played a large role in deciding which projects the fund should contribute money to.  Under the statutes, any single member of that committee could anonymously stop funding for any project that had a cost of over $250,000 and, more recently that was located north of Highway 64.  

  In recent years, that Committee has been dominated by Republicans.  The Committee currently has 16 members, 12 of whom are Republicans and 4 of whom are Democrats.

Recently, over a period of approximately four years, the Republican controlled Committee blocked 27 projects, or about 1/3 of those that were submitted for approval.  In previous years, the anonymous “pocket veto” had been used more sparingly.

Examples of recent blocked projects include:

• The Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement (2023.) 
• A Lake Superior boat launch in the City of Ashland (2024.)
• The conservation of the Cedar Gorge along Lake Michigan in Ozaukee County (2022.)
• A boardwalk rehabilitation project near the City of Appleton’s airport (2022.)
• Acquisition of 93 acres of land in the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area (2021.)

  The Pelican River Forest project would have involved the purchase of a conservation easement to ensure that the forest would be available for logging and open to public recreation, a sort of project that would almost certainly enjoyed bi-partisan support in the not-too-distant past.  That project was ultimately completed using other funds.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down JFC Members Veto Power

In 2023, Governor Tony Evers brought a legal action concerning the pocket veto.  The matter was heard by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and in 2024, the court ruled that the power of anonymous individual members of the Joint Finance Committee to veto Stewardship spending violated the Wisconsin Constitution.  The court’s majority opinion was written by conservative Justice Rebecca Bradley, who wrote “Maintaining the separation of powers between the branches is essential for the preservation of liberty and a government accountable to the people . . .”  The court ruled that, once the Legislature budgets money for the KNP, it is a duty of the executive, rather than the legislative branch to determine how that money is be spent.  Under this ruling, the DNR (part of the executive branch), and its professional scientists and land managers, rather than individual members of the legislature will carry out the details of how KNP funds are spent.

DNR Budget Request

In September of 2024, the DNR made its budget request for the next two-year budget period.  Out of a total agency budget request of 1.2 billion dollars, the DNR has requested $100 million per year for the KNP.

The Reaction of Born and Felzkowsi

Wisconsin Public Radio reported that, after the State Supreme Court handed down its opinion, Republican Representative Mark Born stated:

   "It’s unfortunate that Governor Evers’ lawsuit removed all accountability (emphasis added) of the Stewardship program, which helped ensure local voices were heard and that taxpayer resources were spent wisely . . .”  Born, who is the co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee also said, “The entire program is now in jeopardy.”

  These comments are curious on two levels.  First, there is still accountability for KNP expenditures.  The Wisconsin Statutes place a number of restrictions on how Stewardship funds can be spent.  Also, the DNR is charged with administering the program in accordance with the statutes.  In addition, people, including those who live near where projects may take place have the ability to communicate their opinions to the DNR.

Second, it’s unclear why Mr. Born says that the entire KNP is in Jeopardy.  There is nothing innate in the court’s ruling that puts the program in Jeopardy.  One interpretation of Representative Born’s words could be that he and/or other members of the Republican controlled Wisconsin Legislature may wish to refuse to adequately fund the program now that individual members of the Joint Finance Committee can no longer anonymously veto stewardship projects.  

In its report, Wisconsin Public Radio noted that, Republican State Senator Mary Felzkowski, speaking in response to the DNR’s budget Request, and noting that the DNR has been without a secretary for over a year said:

   “The likelihood of an agency of this size, that creates so much frustration throughout the     state, receiving big increases without an executive head taking accountability is, in my opinion, low . . .”

Ever's Response

Governor Evers has said that he is having a difficult time finding someone willing to act as the DNR Secretary, due to the Republican Held legislature having fired so many of his appointees.  The last DNR secretary, Adam Payne served for ten months before resigning, without the legislature ever having confirmed his appointment.  On March 12 of 2024, CBS News reported that the Legislature had fired eight more of Evers’ appointees, bringing the total fired by the Legislature since Evers took office in 2019 to 21.  The CBS News report indicates that, among those fired were:

  “. . . two Universities of Wisconsin regents who voted against a deal that limited campus diversity and four judicial watchdogs who wouldn't commit to punishing liberal state Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz.”

The Future of Public Lands, Parks, and Recreational Facilities

The extent to which the KNP will be funded in the future remains to be seen.  In the meantime, there seems to be strong support for conservation and recreation as a whole, and the KNP specifically.  For example, The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s website currently contains an article that originally appeared in 2020, supporting KNP funding.

That piece, authored by its executive director included the following statements:

• “Now more than ever, outdoor spaces are important to Wisconsinites.”
• “But Knowles-Nelson does more than pay for land purchases.  It funds trail building, campground development, trails signs, boat launches, and more. We have to take care of the land we have protected, and Stewardship helps us do that.”
• “The K-N Stewardship program costs each Wisconsin resident about $15 / year. That’s a really good deal.
• “We must be careful with state dollars, but Stewardship is a tiny fraction of Wisconsin’s debt, only 2%. The Stewardship program is an investment in Wisconsin’s future.”

The entire article can be viewed here - https://www.wisducks.org/things-to-know-about-the-knowles-nelson-stewardship-program/ 

The Congressional Sportsman’s Foundation also posted a piece in support of KNP funding on its website on October 7 of this year.  That piece, titled “Key Public Land Acquisition Fund Faces Reauthorization in Wisconsin” indicates that the CSF, along with partners, conducted meetings in Madison with members of the Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to stress the importance of the KNP.  The CSF site may be viewed here:  https://congressionalsportsmen.org/news/key-public-land-acquisition-fund-faces-reauthorization-in-wisconsin/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=bc42c3d2-5e45-484b-bba0-75be2842b4ad 

Additionally, the following organizations have expressed support for or otherwise acknowledged the importance of the KNP:

• The Wisconsin Bike Federation 
• Ice Age Trail Alliance 
• Wisconsin Green Fire 
• The Wisconsin Audubon Council and nine Wisconsin chapters 
• The Mississippi Valley Conservancy 
• Pheasants Forever 
• The Sierra Club 
• Driftless Area Land Conservancy 
• The Ruffed Grouse Society 

Additionally, “Team Knowles-Nelson”, lists on its website a plethora of organizations as its partners or sponsoring partners.  A sampling of those organizations includes:

• Gathering Waters Conservancy
• Ducks Unlimited
• The Conservation Fund
• The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology
• American Trails
• League of Wisconsin Municipalities
• The Nature Conservancy
• Rails to Trails Conservancy
• Wisconsin Trout Unlimited
• Wisconsin Counties Association
• Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

These many organizations, along with a large majority of Wisconsin residents support the Knowles-Nelson program.  The question is now, whether the Republican controlled state legislature will respect the will of the majority and adequately fund the program.

WTMJ Television Coverage  Conservation program in jeopardy as DNR asks to triple funding (tmj4.com) 

By Tom Wiensch July 30, 2024-

Photo credit Len Hyke

CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF WISCONSIN AND THE GREAT LAKES REGION: The changing landscape and species of the Northwoods

  Global warming and the climate change that it causes have been topics of serious discussion in America and around the world for over 20 years. In Wisconsin and other parts of the Upper Great Lakes Region, climate change seems to be reducing the range and abundance of a number of species of animals and reducing the clarity of lakes. Examples of affected species include walleye, brook trout, loons, flying squirrels, and snowshoe hares in Wisconsin and moose in neighboring Michigan and Minnesota. It also appears that, if climate change continues, the composition of our forests will change.

  The remainder of this article will discuss the effects of climate change on these species and the habitat in which they live.

WALLEYE

Walleyes are one of the most popular fish among Wisconsinites. Sadly, a 2018 study published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Species has demonstrated that walleye numbers in Wisconsin waters are declining. i

There may be multiple factors affecting the number of walleyes in Wisconsin waters. For instance, a 2018 study published by the National Academy of Sciences showed that walleye were being overharvested.ii Importantly though, that study showed that the reason for overharvest was that bag limits were set based on walleye abundance, without properly considering walleye productivity.

 Another study published in February 2024 in the Journal of Limnology and Oceanography Letters has shown that changing ice-out dates are affecting the ability of young walleye to survive.iii It used to be that ice left Wisconsin lakes at approximately the same time each year. Now, as air temperatures have increased, the ice-out dates are highly variable, often happening much earlier than they used to.Walleye are one of the most popular fish among Wisconsinites. Sadly, a 2018 study published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Species has demonstrated that walleye numbers in Wisconsin waters are declining. 

  The study has shown that walleye used to spawn shortly after ice-out, which meant that when the eggs hatched and young walleye began feeding, zooplankton were present as an abundant food source. Although walleye have begun spawning slightly earlier than they used to, they still spawn later than the new ice out times, often meaning that many young walleye starve to death due to the lack of zooplankton to eat.

BROOK TROUT

Although perhaps not as popular among anglers as walleye, brook trout are the only stream trout native to Wisconsin. Many anglers consider brook trout to be among the most beautiful of fish.

Non-native brown trout from Europe and rainbow trout from the West Coast have been stocked in some Wisconsin streams and in some streams these trout, especially browns, have established breeding populations. A number of streams, especially in the driftless area of Wisconsin, contain large numbers of brown trout and in many cases, few if any brook trout.

Brook trout require colder water than do brown and rainbow trout. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has found that the number of brook trout in Wisconsin has been declining, especially since 2006.iv The DNR has also found that higher summer temperatures have benefited brown trout at the expense of brook trout.v So far, most of the impact on brook trout has occurred in Southern Wisconsin.

The Upper Wolf River, Wisconsin’s largest trout river offers an example of what warming temperatures do to trout. Until its character was changed by early logging, the Wolf was a brook trout stream.vi While it still contains some brook trout, the Upper Wolf now contains brown trout, many of which are stocked and many smallmouth bass.vii Increased warming is likely to further reduce the ability of the Wolf to support trout.

LOONS

Loons are one of the most beloved bird species in Northern Wisconsin and across the northern lakes of the United States. Their numbers have been substantially declining in recent years. A study has shown that the loon population in Wisconsin has decreased by 22% over the 27 years leading up to 2020.viii

The study found that loon chick body mass, and the number of loon chicks had fallen dramatically, such that the number of immature (not yet breeding) loons had declined by 46% in 27 years.

A study published in the journal “Ecology” has shown that loon populations in Northern Wisconsin are declining due to a decrease in water clarity caused by an increase in heavy summer rains, which in turn have been caused by climate change.ix The heavier summer rains cause more material to wash into lakes, making the water murkier. Loons are sight-predators, and decreased water quality makes it more difficult for them to catch fish for themselves and their young. This has led to underweight, unhealthy loon chicks, many of which die before reaching adulthood.

FLYING SQUIRRELS

There are two distinct species of flying squirrels in Wisconsin – Northern Flying Squirrels and Southern Flying Squirrels.

A 2020 study by the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Minnesota – Duluth has shown that the northern end of the range of southern flying squirrels is moving north by as much as 12 miles per year.x Meanwhile, the northern flying squirrels are being driven north, and are now listed as a “species of concern” by the states of Wisconsin and Michigan.xi

SNOWSHOE HARES

Snowshoe hares are also known as “northern varying hares.” These relatively large hares reside in Northern Wisconsin and other northern states. The Pauli Lab of the University of Wisconsin – Madison reports that the southern end of the range of the snowshoe hare in Wisconsin has receded north by over 18 miles since 1980 and that this range reduction has been caused by a lack of snow cover.xii Snowshoe hares are brown colored in the summer, and white in the winter. As the snow season decreases, they are increasingly left with

white coats at a time when they need to be brown to be camouflaged to avoid excess predation. This has led to a reduction in numbers in the southern part of their range.

MOOSE

Moose are present in Minnesota and Upper Michigan and are occasionally seen in Wisconsin. The reintroduction of 59 moose to the Upper Peninsula in the 1980’s spurred hope that the species might become plentiful in the U.P. again. Some hoped that moose would migrate south and redevelop a permanent herd in Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, the moose population in Michigan seems to have topped out in the range of 400-500 animals, with the population not having increased from 2019 to 2023.xiii It is not entirely clear why the Michigan moose population has plateaued and why not enough moose have migrated to Wisconsin to establish a stable population here. The situation involving moose in Minnesota, however, may be instructive regarding the moose in Michigan and Wisconsin.

The moose of Minnesota have been in serious decline, and that decline has been studied. Between 2006 and 2017, the moose population of Minnesota declined by 58%.xiv There are two distinct populations of moose in Minnesota, one in the northeast and one in the northwest. The population in the Northwest has declined from a one-time 4000 animals to 100 animals by the year 2000.xv Although there are multiple reasons for the decline of moose in Minnesota, one of the causes is an over-abundance of ticks, caused by warmer winters and longer summers.xvi Colder weather used to kill ticks. Warmer temperatures mean that many more survive the winter to become parasites on moose and other animals. A study in the State of New Hampshire found that 70% of moose calves there were dying, with most deaths being caused by ticks.xvii

PLANT POPULATIONS

The contiguous 48 United States is divided into 12 plant hardiness zones. The United States Department of Agriculture develops maps showing the zones.

These temperature-based maps allow gardeners and others to determine what plants they will be able to grow.

The 1990 pant hardiness map, based on data from 1974-1986, placed Rhinelander Wisconsin in hardiness zone 3.xviii In 2012, Rhinelander Wisconsin was in hardiness zone 4a, with average coldest winter temperatures of between -30 and -25 degrees Fahrenheit. By 2023, Rhinelander became part of hardiness zone 4b, with average coldest winter temperatures between -25and -20 Fahrenheit.xix

If this trend continues, the make-up of the plant communities of Northern Wisconsin will likely change. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a bulletin titled “What Climate Change Means for Wisconsin.”xx That bulletin indicates:

“Changing the climate is likely to shift the ranges of plants and

animals. For example, rising temperatures could change the

composition of Wisconsin’s forests. As the climate warms, the

populations of paper birch, quaking aspen, balsam fir, and black

spruce may decline in the North Woods, while oak, hickory, and

pine trees may become more numerous.”

Anticipating the disappearance of its northern boreal forests within 50 years, the State of Minnesota has been planting tree species that previously thrived 150 miles south of where they are now being planted.xxi

SUMMARY

Wisconsin was once home to moose, caribou, and lynx. Those animals were extirpated from our state long ago. Extirpated animals can be reintroduced, but only if the habitat is amenable to their existence. If the warming trend continues, will it ever be possible to reintroduce caribou, moose, or lynx to our state? The answer is quite likely “no.”

Worse, if temperatures keep increasing at the current rate, will we even be able to maintain populations of the plants and animals that now occupy Northern Wisconsin?

What will Northern Wisconsin look like in 50 or 100 years? Will there still be black spruce swamps or stands of birch and aspen? Or will we have forests similar to those that currently exist in Southern Wisconsin?

Will our streams still contain the beautiful brook trout? Or will they have been replaced by non-native brown trout or bass? And in the streams not amenable to brown trout spawning, will trout populations have to be maintained through the expensive stocking of inferior hatchery-raised trout?

Will we have lakes with abundant self-sustaining walleye populations where we can hear the cries of loons in the evening? Or will there be silence as the sun sets on lakes devoid of wild walleye? Will the walleye population even be able to be sustained by the use of expensive fish hatcheries?

Will there still be occasional moose sittings in Wisconsin? Will we still see northern flying squirrels? Will we still have snowshoe hares, or will the Northwoods be strictly cottontail rabbit country?

Hopefully it is not inevitable that Wisconsin’s north will change so that our forests will become unrecognizable, our lakes will become murky, and the iconic fish and other animals of the North will be only a fading memory. Time will tell.

i https://blog.limnology.wisc.edu/2018/04/12/study-confirms-walleye-populations-are-in-decline/ 

ii https://limnology.wisc.edu/news-events/newsletters/study-says-hidden-overharvest-from-fishing-plays-a-role-in-wisconsin-walleye-declines/#:~:text=Embke%20was%20the%20lead%20author,currently%20use%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says. 

iii https://news.wisc.edu/walleye-struggle-with-changes-to-timing-of-spring-thaw/ 

iv https://www.wpr.org/animals/study-climate-change-boosting-some-wisconsin-trout-hurting-others#:~:text=Warmer%20summers%20hurt%20brook%20trout,for%20both%20species%20of%20trout. 

 vi https://wi101.wisc.edu/wolf-river/ 

vii https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Lands/FisheriesAreas/2740upperwolfriver.html 

viii https://tomahawkleader.com/2024/05/09/northwoods-loon-population-in-decline/ ix https://abcnews.go.com/General/climate-change-threatens-loon-population-new-study-shows/story?id=109092273 

x https://nrri.umn.edu/news/flying-squirrels 

xi https://www.lccmr.mn.gov/projects/2023/approved_work_plans/2023-090_approved_workplan.pdf 

xii https://pauli.russell.wisc.edu/climate-change-and-snowshoe-hares/ 

xiii https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/06/19/michigan-moose-population-down-dnr-does-not-recommend-hunting/70335766007/ 

xiv https://twin-cities.umn.edu/news-events/new-research-u-m-sheds-light-decline-minnesotas-moose-population#:~:text=Minnesota's%20moose%20population-,New%20research%20from%20the%20U%20of%20M%20sheds%20light,decline%20of%20Minnesota's%20moose%20population&text=Minnesota%20saw%20a%2058%25%20decline,state%20between%202006%20and%202017. 

xv https://www.sdstate.edu/news/2023/08/whats-behind-minnesotas-moose-population-decline  

xviii https://www.motherjones.com/food/2012/01/long-overdue-plant-hardiness-map-hothouse/ 

xix https://apps.npr.org/plant-hardiness-garden-map/ 

xx https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-wi.pdf 

xxi https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/minnesotas-northwoods-on-the-brink-heres-whats-being-done-about-it/

  By Kathleen Cooper February 13, 2024-Have you ever seen the “Hunger Games” movies? They depict the US taken over by exploitative forces that divide the country into twelve “sacrifice zones”, or districts. Each district has a specialty, such as agriculture, manufacturing, lumber harvesting, mining, etc. This dystopian future for America is not as fictional and far-fetched as you may think, if the American Stewards of Liberty, Tom Tiffany, and Mary Felzkoski have their way. 

  The American Stewards of Liberty are a Texas-based group that is against land and water conservation, and advocates for natural resource exploitation. They promote mineral mining, increased grazing, timber cutting, for-profit commercial and industrial development, and oil and gas drilling on Federal lands. They spin their message as being about freedom and personal choice, about confronting the “radical environmental movement,” when their true motives are about extracting natural resources. Their goals are extremely unpopular, since 80% of voters nationwide support land conservation.

  Our own Tom Tiffany was one of the keynote speakers at the American Stewards for Liberty’s 30x30 summit in September 2023. Tiffany is also bringing the America Stewards for Liberty’s agenda to Wisconsin and attempting to stall or halt the Federal funding for the purchase of the conservation easements in the Pelican River Forest. They did not succeed…this time. Tiffany has also suggested that local governments work with Margaret Byfield, the executive director of the American Stewards for Liberty, while updating their Comprehensive Land Use Plans, on which the Oneida County Planning and Development Committee is now working.

  Preserving our environment is extremely popular with the people of Oneida County. We realize how fortunate we are to live in a place where there is clean air, forestland, clear lakes, rivers, and streams. The proposed Lynne mine was defeated in 2018 by 64% of the voters. The county board knows what the people of Oneida want, they just choose to ignore our wishes, and are considering changing the Comprehensive Land Use Plan from using our public lands for recreation and forestry to using it for development of extractive industries (mining) and other industrial development.

  Please don’t let this Texas group have a say about land use in northern Wisconsin. Contact your county board supervisor, by phone or email, and tell him/her that you want clean air, clean water, and forests to be left alone in Oneida County, and open to the public. Your children and grandchildren will thank you. 

For more coverage on this issue- 

See our January posts by Joe Hovel and Kathleen Cooper.

Also, listen to 30-minute Radio interview on Pelican River Forest with Charlie Carlin of Gathering Waters covering the whole process including the recent controversy.  [AUDIO] Pelican River Forest Conservation Efforts Run Into Political Hurdle | WHBY 

Also see Texas Observer coverage Conservatives Against Conservation (texasobserver.org)