wisconservation...2021/02/02 · tom hauge, prairie du sac, wi (608) 477-0537. mark labarbera,...

WisconservationWiWisconsconsinsin WiWildldliflife Fe Fedederatioerationn

February 2021 VOLUME 48NUMBER 1

Voiceof the

WisconsinOutdoors

“Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty. The objective is an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other

human beings and all other living creatures.” - Gaylord Nelson

Craig ChallonerPresidentWisconsin Wildlife Federation

President’s ReportJanuary 2021

WisconsinWisconsin Wildlif

Wildlifee FeFederationderation

Support the WWF’s Conservation and Education projects by

making a donation with the donation envelope

included in this issue of Wisconservation!! With COVID impacting our Banquets and

Calendar Raffles, now is a great time to keep the WWF strong with a donation.

See the envelope for details.

Winter greetings to all of you, and I hope all are healthy and doing well.

As we approach the one-year mark of the Covid-19 crisis, its a good time to look back at the past 12 months, and de-spite the pandemic, realize that we have adjusted and adapted to our rapidly changing world.

Many individuals and organizations have accomplished much over the last year and now is the time for us to honor them. We will be taking nominations for individuals and organizations that have stood out in their passion and dedication for conservation. If you know of anyone or any organization that you feel should be rec-ognized see the write up in this month’s Wisconservation and send it to the WWF office by April 1st. The conservation awards will be presented at our yearly awards banquet.

We are hoping to have our annual meeting in person this year . Place and time are dependent on the status of the health situation. I am looking forward to seeing many of you again in person. The annual meeting will be when I hand over the gavel to my succes-sor. But more importantly, this is when George Meyer, our execu-tive director, after a lifetime of conservation work will be stepping aside to tackle his next adventure in life, which is the position of full time grandpa. I can’t even imagine what the Federation would look like without his guidance over the last 25 years. Whoever our new executive director is, they have some big shoes to fill. And a personal thanks to you George for your encouragement and pa-tience with me over my last five years on the executive committee, I always look back to these days that I worked with you.

On a sad note, recently former president and board member Chuck Matyska of Cecil Wisconsin passed away. Chuck distin-guished himself in conservation and many sporting organizations. He will be sorely missed.

February brings the annual sturgeon spearing season to Lake Winnebago and the upper lakes. All who spear are hoping for cold

weather to “make ice” for this Wisconsin winter tradition. However ice is never 100% safe, so be careful out there, and contact one of the local clubs for ice conditions.

District 5 has a number of raffles being held right now. On Feb 25th we will be raf-fling off a quarter of beef at The Trading Post Bar in Mount Morris. We will have a Crossbow and another quarter of beef to be raffled on March 13th at Tanner Tap in Omro. Help support the federation by purchasing a ticket, and please support the establishments and local businesses that support us.

While March is a slow month for outdoor recreation it’s a good month to prepare for the upcoming fishing and turkey seasons. Remember it’s time to renew your hunting and fishing licenses. While the conservation Patron license may cost more, to me it’s more convenient and a safeguard from finding yourself in the field without the adequate license or stamp, not to mention the added perks of a Patron’s license.

Lastly I look forward to the day when we can get back with our family and friends and look back at this year as just a bad dream, but until then I hope you all stay safe and healthy.

DNR Confirms CWD In Wood County Wild Deer; Renews Baiting And Feeding Bans

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms the first wild deer has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in

southern Wood County in the Town of Port Edwards, within ten miles of Juneau and Adams counties. As required by state law, the DNR will renew the baiting and feeding bans in Wood, Juneau and Adams coun-ties.

The CWD-positive deer was an adult buck harvested during the 2020 gun deer season and tested as part of the department’s disease surveillance efforts. State law requires that the DNR enact a ban on the baiting and feeding of deer in counties or portions of counties with-in a 10-mile radius of a wild or farm-raised deer that tests positive for CWD. Because the deer was harvested within 10 miles of Juneau and Adams counties, bans in those counties will also be renewed.

The DNR will continue surveillance near the CWD positive de-tection location. Collecting CWD samples is important for assessing where and to what extent CWD occurs in deer across the state.

As ever, successful CWD management depends in part on citizen involvement in the decision-making process through local County Deer Advisory Councils (CDAC).

The upcoming Wood County CDAC meeting to discuss deer popula-tion objectives will include additional information on the new CWD detection. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom on Jan. 21 at 7

p.m. Additional details re-garding the Wood County CDAC can be found at this link [https://dnr.wi.gov/top-ic/hunt/CDACFind.aspx]. (Select Wood from the drop-down menu.) Preregistra-tion is not required.

CWD is a fatal, infec-tious nervous system dis-ease of deer, moose, elk and reindeer/caribou. It belongs to the family of dis-

eases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases. CWD occurs only in members of the cervid or deer fam-ily - both wild and captive. The Wisconsin DNR began monitoring the state’s wild white-tailed deer population for CWD in 1999. The first positives were found in 2002.

WISCONSERVATION February 20212

WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION COMMITTEE CHAIRSAnnual Meeting Dave Verhage 715-344-3497 [email protected] Open Banquet OpenBylaws Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 [email protected] Past President Bill Tollard 920-379-3426 [email protected] Leadership Corps Cody Kamrowski 715-896-5445 [email protected] Andy Lewandowski 262-527-1988 [email protected] Paul Chandler 715-824-2161 Endangered Resources Carl Gierke 920-986-3272 [email protected] Tom Johnson 859-285-8978 [email protected] and Parks Jerry Knuth 715-340-5414 [email protected] Lakes Keith Pamperin 920-494-3990 [email protected] Fisheries Gordy Merz 262-695-0060 [email protected] Kevyn Quamme 608-209-3842Nominating Craig Challoner 920-685-6185 [email protected] Betty Borchert 920-688-3122 [email protected] Range Bill Tollard 920-379-3429 [email protected] Mark Kakatsch 414-688-8936 [email protected] Ralph Fritsch 715-850-2456Wisconservation Jim Swanson 715-232-8266 [email protected]

OFFICE PHONE:800-897-4161 - Toll Free

WEB PAGE ADDRESS:www.wiwf.org

OFFICEADDRESS: PO Box 460

Poynette, WI 53955

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

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

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

WISCONSERVATION EDITORJim Swanson

Phone: (715) [email protected]

ASSOCIATE EDITORRalph Fritsch

(715) 850-2456

* * * OFFICERS * * *

President Craig Challoner, 3880 2nd Street Road, Omro, WI 54963, (H) 920-685-6185 (C)920-379-3255 Email: [email protected]

First Vice President Pat Quaintance, 88255 Happy Hollow Road, Bayfield, WI, 54814, (H) 715-779-5104 (C) 715-209-1799. Email: [email protected]

Second Vice President Kevyn Quamme, W6970 Hwy B, Dalton, WI, 53926, (C) 608-209-3842Email: [email protected] or [email protected]

Secretary Connie Polzin, 6771 Firetower Road, Rhinelander, WI, 54501, 715-360-3903 Email: [email protected]

Treasurer Dave Verhage, 1111 Chadwick Ct., Plover, WI 54467, (715) 344-3497. Email: [email protected]

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

DISTRICT 8Steve Brasch, Dousman, WI, (262) 392-4196. Scott Czehan, Pewaukee, WI, (262) 443-1054.Mark Kakatsch, Oconomowoc, WI (262) 567-1300.

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

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

DISTRICT 11Keith Pamperin, Green Bay, WI, (920) 494-3990.Elmer Schill, DePere, WI, (920) 336-8117.Tom Dennee, Hobart, WI, (920) 606-9595.

DISTRICT 12Bob Ellingson, Lakewood, WI, (715) 276-7129.Thomas Johnston, Niagara, WI, (859) 285-8978.Andrew Dryja, Suring, WI

N.W.F. REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVEJason Dinsmore, 199 Kristin Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901. Office: (507) 206-3732. Cell: (517) 204-8962. Email: [email protected].

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Andy Lewandowski, Muskego, WI, 262-679-1057Alexis K Allworden, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, 715-451-1353Tim Grunewald Sauk City, WI, 608-370-2535Diane Lee Van Dyne, WI, 920-216-8968Danielle Browne Saint Croix Falls, WI, 715-685-8129Phil Lepinski Nekoosa, WI, 715-325-6349Chris Leighty Plover, WI, 608-206-3770Brian Riske Manawa, WI, 920-538-4008Matt Lallemont, Tomahawk, WI 715-218-5628Cody Kamrowski, Waunakee, WI 715-896-5445Jessie Espeseth, Clear Lake, WI

[email protected] Kronschnabel, Dousman WI 262-719-4530Carl Meeker, Roberts, WI Gervis Myles, Menomonee Falls, WI 262-613-8559

HONORARY DIRECTORSRichard BaudhuinDon CamplinKen ZettlemeierBetty Schneider-BorchertDan GriesMartha KilishekAl KubeVern ManglessJim MenseNorb MoesRay RheinschmidtJL SchneiderArt SeidelJoe ZanterBucky KilishekMary CassidyArt JorgensonCatheriine Koss

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

PAST PRESIDENTSBill Tollard, Omro, WI 920-379-3429George Borchert, Oshkosh, WI, 920-539-7790John Wagner, Oconomowoc, WI, 262-490-7213Chuck Matyska, Cecil, WI, 715-745-6382Jack Nissen, Dousman, WI, 262-370-8154Lil Pipping, Elkhart Lake, WI, 920-876-4312Corky Meyer, Kewaskum, WI, 262-692-6054Jerry Knuth, Plover, WI, 715-340-5414James Weishan, Cambria, WI, 608-429-4610Martha Kilishek, Menasha, WIRussell Hitz, Wheeler, WI, 715-632-2143Jim Baldock, West Bend, WI, 262-335-3946Ralph Fritsch, Townsend, WI, 715-850-2456Robert Miller, Sparta, WI, 608-269-6215Doug Olson, Viroqua, WIDoug Johnson, Hartford, WIJames Wareing, Sussex, WILeo RoetheBill BuckleyDick HempBob LachmundJerry LaudonRon PiskulaHarold SpencerLes Woerpel

STATE AFFILIATESDIRECTORS/REPRESENTATIVES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WI Association of Beagle ClubsGary Stensberg, WI Rapids, WI. (715) 423-0725

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

WI Council of Sportfishing OrganizationsDuane Marcell

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

WI Federation of Great Lake Sport Fishing Clubs

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

WI Muzzleloaders AssociationCharlie Brown, 608-290-2978

WI Sharp Tailed Grouse Society

WI Taxidermist Association

WI Trappers AssociationArnie Groehler

WI Woodland Owners AssociationSteve Ring, Schiocton, WI, 920-735-9702

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

WI Chapter American Fisheries SocietyThomas Slawski, New Berlin, WI

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

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

WI Waterfowl AssociationBruce Ross

WI Dog FederationJoy Brand

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DISTRICT 1Pat Quaintance, Bayfield, WI, (715) 779-5104.Alex Mertig, Mason, WI, (715) 413-0213. Tom Sklebar, Iron River, WI, (701) 320-4171. (715) 372-5494.DISTRICT 2Nick Schertz, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 966-6116.Connie Polzin, Rhinelander, WI, (715) 360-3903.Maegan Loka, Tomahawk, WI, (715) 453-4223.

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

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

DISTRICT 5Carl Gierke, Shiocton, WI, (920) 986-3272.Craig Challoner, Omro, WI (920) 685-6185.Jeff O’Brien, Shawano, WI, (715) 853-3392.

DISTRICT 6John Wetzel, Holmen, WI, (608) 526-4238.Dave Vetrano, Bangor, WI, (608) 461-1133. Pat Burns, LaCrosse, WI 608-769-7547

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / LEGISLATIONGeorge Meyer, 201 Randolph Dr., Madison, WI 53717, (608) 516-5545. Email:[email protected]

BUSINESS MANAGERRuth Ann Lee, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955, (608) 635-0600. Email: [email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTLindsay Alt, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955-0460, 608-635-0600 or 800-897-4161Email: [email protected]


THRIVENT FINANCIAL & PHILANTHROPY

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has been receiving periodic donations from Thrivent Financial’s “Choice” Program for several years now. Many of our members who have investments with

Thrivent Financial may be eligible to direct Choice Dollars to your church and/or non-profit organizations found on Thrivent’s Approved List.

The WWF and the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame are both on that list. A quick phone call to Thrivent will tell you about your Choice Dollars available and allow you to direct those funds. Simply call Thrivent at (800) 847-4836; hit option #5 and say Thrivent Choice. If you have questions about the “Choice” program, WWF Board member Marco Mascitti is a Thrivent Agent and is happy to answer any questions about Thrivent and the “Choice” program. He can be contacted at [email protected] (608) 513-8816.

New Smelt Consumption Advisory for Lake Superior

Elevated Levels of PFAS Found in Rainbow Smelt

A new fish consumption advisory for smelt in Lake Superior is now in effect. Photo credit: iStock/KirsanovV

MADISON, Wis. – Based on recent sampling results, the Wisconsin Department of

Natural Resources (DNR) and the De-partment of Health Services (DHS) are recommending a PFAS-based fish con-sumption advisory for Lake Superior.

Due to the high levels of PFOS found in the samples, the DNR and DHS are updating the recommended rainbow smelt consumption advisory from an un-restricted amount to one meal per month for Lake Superior.

The sampling completed by the DNR found elevated levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), particularly the compound PFOS, in rainbow smelt in Lake Superior. PFAS are a group of over 5,000 human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, in-cluding non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers and stain-resistant sprays.

These legacy contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways, including spills of PFAS-containing materials, discharges of PFAS-containing wastewater to treat-ment plants and certain types of fire-fighting foams.

The risk of health problems increases with the amount of contaminated fish you eat. Following this advisory will help protect you from excess PFAS exposure found in fish. The advisory could change in the future as the DNR and DHS con-tinue to learn more about the health risks from eating fish caught from this area and more fish data become avail-able.

As part of the DNR’s statewide PFAS monitoring efforts to monitor fish tis-sue and water chemistry at select sites around the state, smelt were collected from two locations in Lake Superior in 2019 approximately 30 miles apart at sites near the Apostle Islands and off Port Wing. PFAS was detected in sam-ples from both locations.

Rainbow smelt are a small, silver

fish that are non-native to Lake Superior. Some anglers will catch smelt through the ice, but the majority of smelt harvest occurs in the springtime as the fish migrate into near-shore areas to spawn.

“The smelt migration run starts as spring ar-rives and winter ice cover dissipates which creates a popular local tradition of harvesting smelt for fish fries,” said Brad Ray, Lake Superior Fisheries Unit

Supervisor. “It’s important for consum-ers to understand the potential risks as-sociated with this new advisory.”

Fish Tissue ResultsIn mid-December, the DNR received

results from the contaminant samples taken from Lake Superior. Rainbow smelt, a popular sport fish and prey spe-cies for many predator fish and various bird species, had a high level of PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), one of the many types of PFAS contaminants.

“Eating fish that have high levels of PFAS may increase your risk for certain health effects,” said Dr. Jonathan Mei-man, Chief Medical Officer and State Epidemiologist for Occupational and Environmental Health at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “Limit-ing your exposure by choosing fish that are low in PFAS is the best way to re-duce your risk while still maintaining the health benefits of fish consumption.”

Some health risks associated with PFOS, one of the thousands of PFAS compounds, include lower birth weight, possible links to increased risk of kid-ney and testicular cancer, harm to the immune and reproductive systems, in-creased cholesterol levels, and altered hormone regulation and thyroid hor-mones.

The DNR also received sample results from bloater chub, cisco/lake herring, lake whitefish, lake trout, and siscowet lake trout in Lake Superior and crap-pie, yellow perch, channel catfish, carp, northern pike, walleye, and musky from the St. Louis River. The PFOS levels found in those fish do not warrant a con-sumption advisory change at this time.

Currently, the DNR and DHS are unaware of any other PFAS-based con-sumption advisories for other fish spe-cies in the Great Lakes.

For consumption advice for other Great Lakes fish species based on toxic substances, such as PCBs (polychlori-nated biphenyls) or mercury, please re-fer to the statewide safe-eating guide-lines. Additional consumption advice can be found on the DNR’s fish consumption webpage.

President: Craig Challoner

3880 2nd Street Rd Omro, WI 54963

920-379-3255 [email protected]

First Vice President:

Pat Quaintance 88255 Happy Hollow Rd

Bayfield, WI 54814 715-209-1799

[email protected]

Second Vice President: Kevyn Quamme

W6970 Hwy B Dalton, WI 53926


Treasurer:

Dave Verhage 1111 Chadwick Ct. Plover, WI 54467


Secretary:

Connie Polzin 6771 Firetower Rd

Rhinelander, WI54501 715-360-3903

[email protected]

Past President: Bill Tollard

4630 Friedrich Avenue Omro, WI 54963


Executive Director:

George Meyer 201 Randolph Drive Madison, WI 53717


Business Manager:

Ruth Ann Lee PO Box 460

Poynette, WI 53955 608-635-0600

[email protected]

WISCONSIN WILDLIFE FEDERATION 213 North Main Street, Suite 100, PO Box 460; Poynette, WI 53955 • (608) 635-0600 • (800) 897-4161

www.wiwf.org

AFFILIATED WITH THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE FEDERATION

December 21, 2020 Doctor Frederick Prehn Natural Resource Board Chair Secretary Preston Cole Department of Natural Resources Dear Chairman Prehn and Secretary Cole: The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation at its December 12, 2020 Board of Directors’ meeting passed the following motion for your consideration: “The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation respectfully requests that the Natural Resources Board in conjunction with the staff of the Department of Natural Resources, in as expeditious a manner as possible, reinstate a hunting regulation allowing the use of shot larger than T shot for the purposes of hunting appropriate species such as bobcat and coyote.” Recently it has come to our attention from Wildlife Federation members that they have been informed that Wisconsin hunting regulations no longer allow the use of shot larger than T shot to be used in harvesting species such as bobcat and coyote. From discussions with DNR staff in Wildlife, Law Enforcement and the Secretary’s Office, we have been informed that the prior authorization to use such shot was removed in a housekeeping rule revision package that was designed to simplify regulations. In discussions with staff, we have been informed that this change was inadvertent and that there is not a public safety or resource management policy reason to restrict the use of shot larger than T shot for certain designated species. The Federation is asking: 1. that the Natural Resources Board with the able assistance of Department staff restore the former shot provision in as expeditious manner legally possible and 2. that, in the interim period, the Department use enforcement discretion to not enforce the prohibition of shot larger than T shot for appropriate species. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely yours, George Meyer Executive Director Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Traveling Education Trunks (K-12)

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has three wildlife “traveling education trunks.” Each trunk contains curricula and hands-on materials such as pelts, skulls, tracks, scat, games, books, and videos. All of our trunks are

designed to help educators teach youth about the biology of the animal, its habitat, why the animal is important; about predator-prey relationships; and about why it’s important to protect wildlife habitat.

Bear Trunk: This trunk features the Black

Bear, Grizzly Bear and Polar Bear and includes pelts, replica skulls, replica scat, and molds for mak-ing tracks. The trunk includes stories about bears and an IMAX video about bears (that can be viewed on any video machine) that was produced by the Na-tional Wildlife Federation. The trunk also includes a detailed curriculum guides for grades K-12 that was developed by National Wildlife Federation edu-cation staff.

Wolf Trunk: This trunk features the Timber Wolf and includes pelts, fur swatches, replica skulls, replica scat, molds for making tracks, and tracks of prey spe-cies. It includes an IMAX video about wolves (that can be viewed on any video machine) produced by the Na-tional Wildlife Federation. The trunk also includes a detailed curriculum guides for grades K-12 that was developed by National Wildlife Federation education staff.

Whooping Crane Trunk: This trunk features hands on materials to teach students about Whooping Crane biology, endangered species, and migratory birds. It includes: replicas of the crane skull, leg, and egg; feathers from Sandhill and Whooping Cranes; samples of crane food; an adult costume and puppet that researchers use when rearing young Whooping Cranes;

leg bands that researchers use to mark and identify cranes in the field; a MP3 player with CD/DVD that includes the crane’s calls; video produced by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) about its Crane Easter Partnership; and an instruction man-ual for educators. DNR’s Endangered Re-sources Bureau developed this trunk.

Small Mammals Trunk: This trunk features hands on materials to teach stu-dents about Wisconsin’s small mammals. It includes a variety of scat and track replicas, skulls, pelts, interpretive materials as well as two field guides. These re-sources can be used to explore adaptations among mammals, tracking, taxonomy and many more topics.

Reserving a trunk: We provide these trunks to teachers, clubs, and organizations for a two-week

time period. We do not charge for the use of the trunk. To reserve your trunk, please call us at (608) 635-0600. We take reservations on a first come, first served basis.


Conservation Leadership Corps

Interested in being a leader in conservation? Interested in having your voice heard on conservation issues by Wisconsin

and National policymakers?The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has created a Conservation Leadership

Training Program just for you!Students in the Conservation Leadership Corps will receive training in

conservation leadership, conservation policy development and how to advo-cate for sound conservation policies. Training will be provided by experienced conservation leaders.

Training will provide an excellent opportunity to network with state, fed-eral and private conservation organizations.

All your expenses for involvement in the program will be paid for by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. At the successful completion of the program you will receive a $250 scholarship to further your conservation education!

We welcome applications from high school seniors and college freshman, sophomore, and juniors. Please visit our website: www.wiwf.org for further details. You may also contact the WWF Conservation Leadership Corps Coor-dinator at [email protected] or George Meyer, WWF Execu-tive Director at [email protected] with any questions or to express your interest in the program.

General Information on the Conservation Leadership Corps

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) is in the process of its eighth year as an exciting program to assist in the development of future conservation leaders in Wisconsin, known as the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps. (CLC). WWF has based the CLC on a highly successful and similar project developed by the Conserva-tion Federation of Missouri, our counterpart organization.

The CLC is designed to provide expert training for seniors in high school along with college freshmen, sophomores and juniors to develop leadership skills and techniques to allow students the ability to analyze as well as develop conservation policies in his or her subject of interest. Students involved will also gain experience advocating their conservation resolutions at the Annual Meeting for WWF. Successfully written and presented conservation resolutions may be adopted by WWF to serve as official polices.

Training will be provided by current and former natural resource professionals in both public, non-profit as well as private sectors. Students will be presented with real-world experience and will receive feedback from professionals with the conservation policy process. Such interactions will be valuable to participants in relation to school success, future career aspirations, and involvement in organizations.

It is anticipated that the ninth year of the program will take place during the 2021-2022 academic year. Events will be scheduled for three weekends throughout the year. Conservation resolution presentations conducted by those involved would be made at the Annual Meeting of the Wildlife Federation in April 2022. Selected CLC candidates must attend at least three of the four events. All expenses encountered while partici-pating in the CLC program will be covered by WWF. At the successful completion of the year, each participant will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment for the training program, a letter of commendation for their resume portfolio and a $250 scholarship to advance their continuing education.

Interested CLC candidates should fill out the application on this page and send it to the CLC Coordinator, at [email protected] by May 31st, 2021. Candidates will be selected by June 15th, 2021. All applicants will be notified of the results. More detailed information on the program will be provided to those selected over the 2021 summer.

----The deadline date for applications is May 31st, 2021.

Please answer the following questions and limit your response to TWO pages in length.1. What is your personal and professional interest in conservation? 2. What would you say are the high points in your life related to conservation,

either from an educational, personal, or organizational standpoint?3. Why do you want to be a member of the Conservation Leadership Corps with

the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation? What would you like to get out of the experience?

4. Why is the concept of a Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps important? 5. What role do you see conservation organizations have in the future of

conservation in Wisconsin?6. Will you be willing and able to attend a majority of the training sessions?

Background and Contact Information- Please include this information as part of your application:

Name: __________________________________________________________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________

City, State and Zip Code: ___________________________________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________

Telephone Number: ______________________________________________

Present School: __________________________________________________

Year in School (please specify whether high school or college): ___________________

**Please include a name and contact information for a reference related to your conservation interest. The reference can be a parent, teacher or other adult that you have had contact with related to conservation. The reference is a very important part of the application.

Applications, preferably electronically, should be submitted to WWF Leadership Corps Coordinator, at [email protected] or sent through mail to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 213 N Main Street, Suite 100, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955-0460. The Deadline is MAY 31st, 2021.

Application forWWF Youth Outdoor Skill Day Program Grants

2021 Program Cycle

The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) has created a grant program to support local organizations in creating and/or operating local youth focused outdoor skill events. The WWF will give grants up to $250.00 to local organizations sponsoring such an event.

Requirements and additional Information:

1. To qualify for up to a $250.00 grant; the event must include instruction and participation in at least two outdoor skills such as: hunting, fishing, or trap-ping. However, WWF recognizes that outdoor skills include a wide range of other activities so please include them in this application.

2. If the event focus is on one particular skill; application is still encouraged, but note, that grants with one skill may only be awarded up to $100.00.

3. The applicant would be responsible for providing any additional information about the event so theWWF Education Committee can properly evaluate it.

4. The Education Committee will give preference to WWF Affiliated clubs in the issuing of the grants.

5. WWF Youth Grants are awarded and budgeted on an annual basis.

6. **NEW** Deadline for Applications for the 2021 WWF Fiscal year = April 1, 2021a. Applications will be reviewed by the WWF Education Committee at the April committee meeting, held in conjunction with the WWF Annual Meeting.b. Applicants will be notified shortly after as to their status.

Please complete this application form and submit it to:Wisconsin Wildlife FederationAttention: Education Committee/Youth Grants PO Box 460Poynette, WI 53955-0460(608) 635-0600Email: [email protected] Subject line: Education Grant application

Applicant Information

Name of Sponsoring Group: ____________________________________________________(this is who your potential grant check may be issued to: please make sure it is a recognized organization)

Is this group a WWF Affiliate Organization? (circle one) YES / NO

Name or Title of Event: ________________________________________________________

Is this a Learn-To-Hunt (LTH) event? (circle one) YES / NO

Date(s) when event will take place: _____________________________________________

Location where the event will take place: ________________________________________

Name of Contact person: _______________________________________________________

Mailing Address of Contact person: _____________________________________________

Phone Number of Contact person: ______________________________________________

Email of Contact person: _______________________________________________________

Please provide a brief description of the event’s activities including the two required components (or one plus extras) of hunting, fishing or trapping. Attached any posters, brochures, etc. for your event as appropriate.

How do you plan to use the grant (up to $250) in this event?

What is your target date for receiving grant funding if approved? _________________

Applicant Signature: ______________________________________ date: _______________



Deadline

April 1st



Interested in being a leader in conservation? Interested in having your voice heard on conservation issues by Wisconsin

and National policymakers?The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation has created a Conservation Leadership

Training Program just for you!Students in the Conservation Leadership Corps will receive training in

conservation leadership, conservation policy development and how to advo-cate for sound conservation policies. Training will be provided by experienced conservation leaders.

Training will provide an excellent opportunity to network with state, fed-eral and private conservation organizations.

All your expenses for involvement in the program will be paid for by the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. At the successful completion of the program you will receive a $250 scholarship to further your conservation education!

We welcome applications from high school seniors and college freshman, sophomore, and juniors. Please visit our website: www.wiwf.org for further details. You may also contact the WWF Conservation Leadership Corps Coor-dinator at [email protected] or George Meyer, WWF Execu-tive Director at [email protected] with any questions or to express your interest in the program.


The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation (WWF) is in the process of its eighth year as an exciting program to assist in the development of future conservation leaders in Wisconsin, known as the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps. (CLC). WWF has based the CLC on a highly successful and similar project developed by the Conserva-tion Federation of Missouri, our counterpart organization.

The CLC is designed to provide expert training for seniors in high school along with college freshmen, sophomores and juniors to develop leadership skills and techniques to allow students the ability to analyze as well as develop conservation policies in his or her subject of interest. Students involved will also gain experience advocating their conservation resolutions at the Annual Meeting for WWF. Successfully written and presented conservation resolutions may be adopted by WWF to serve as official polices.

Training will be provided by current and former natural resource professionals in both public, non-profit as well as private sectors. Students will be presented with real-world experience and will receive feedback from professionals with the conservation policy process. Such interactions will be valuable to participants in relation to school success, future career aspirations, and involvement in organizations.

It is anticipated that the ninth year of the program will take place during the 2021-2022 academic year. Events will be scheduled for three weekends throughout the year. Conservation resolution presentations conducted by those involved would be made at the Annual Meeting of the Wildlife Federation in April 2022. Selected CLC candidates must attend at least three of the four events. All expenses encountered while partici-pating in the CLC program will be covered by WWF. At the successful completion of the year, each participant will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment for the training program, a letter of commendation for their resume portfolio and a $250 scholarship to advance their continuing education.

Interested CLC candidates should fill out the application on this page and send it to the CLC Coordinator, at [email protected] by May 31st, 2021. Candidates will be selected by June 15th, 2021. All applicants will be notified of the results. More detailed information on the program will be provided to those selected over the 2021 summer.

----The deadline date for applications is May 31st, 2021.

Please answer the following questions and limit your response to TWO pages in length.1. What is your personal and professional interest in conservation? 2. What would you say are the high points in your life related to conservation,

either from an educational, personal, or organizational standpoint?3. Why do you want to be a member of the Conservation Leadership Corps with

the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation? What would you like to get out of the experience?

4. Why is the concept of a Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Corps important? 5. What role do you see conservation organizations have in the future of

conservation in Wisconsin?6. Will you be willing and able to attend a majority of the training sessions?

Background and Contact Information- Please include this information as part of your application:

Name: __________________________________________________________

Street Address: ___________________________________________________

City, State and Zip Code: ___________________________________________

Email Address: __________________________________________________

Telephone Number: ______________________________________________

Present School: __________________________________________________

Year in School (please specify whether high school or college): ___________________

**Please include a name and contact information for a reference related to your conservation interest. The reference can be a parent, teacher or other adult that you have had contact with related to conservation. The reference is a very important part of the application.

Applications, preferably electronically, should be submitted to WWF Leadership Corps Coordinator, at [email protected] or sent through mail to the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, 213 N Main Street, Suite 100, PO Box 460, Poynette, WI 53955-0460. The Deadline is MAY 31st, 2021.

WISCONSERVA

Affiliate Clubs andAssociate Membership

The Federation’s Awards Committee solicits/invites your participation to nominate person(s)and organizations for the 2021 W.W.F. Conservation Achievement Awards Program!

YOUTH CONSERVATIONISTOF THE YEAR

For the outstanding conservation effort by a person whodid not attain the age of 19 during the past year – Youthgroups acting together in a conservation program arealso eligible. The winner should have demonstratedability, leadership, and accomplishment in any phase ofconservation, either individually or as a group.

CONSERVATION EDUCATOROF THE YEAR

For outstanding efforts in conservation andenvironmental education. The recipient may be anindividual or organization that has demonstratedsuccessful education techniques and accomplishmentsrelating to the use and/or conservation of naturalresources.

FOREST CONSERVATIONISTOF THE YEAR

For outstanding effort in forest conservation and man-agement. Eligible areas of effort include tree planting,timber stand improvement and other managementpractices with emphasis on the development of themultiple uses on forest lands. The recipient may be apublic or private landowner, an individual, businessor someone involved in the administration of forestryprograms.

CONSERVATION LEGISLATOROF THE YEAR

For outstanding legislative accomplishment during theircareer which has made a significant contribution to thepreservation and management of our state’s naturalresources.

WILDLIFE OR FISHERIESCONSERVATIONIST

OF THE YEARFor outstanding efforts and accomplishments in makinga significant contribution to the management and/orrestoration of wildlife resources in Wisconsin.

WARDEN OF THE YEARFor outstanding efforts relating to environmental andconservation law enforcement, community outreachand educational programs.

CONSERVATIONIST OFTHE YEAR

For the outstanding overall conservation effortsand achievements in any field of natural resourcemanagement, for a significant contribution to thecause of conservation, or for meaningful progress orachievement toward a solution of a major conservationproblem in the state during the past year. Nomineesfrom all other categories can be considered for theConservationist of the Year Award.

CONSERVATIONORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

For outstanding contributions to the conservation ofnatural resources by an organization in the state for anextended period of time.Statewide or local organizationsincluding sportsmen’s clubs or civic organizations areeligible. The recipient should have demonstrated keeninterest in projects and programs within the state whichdeal with significant natural resource or issues.

LAND AND WATERCONSERVATIONIST OF THE

YEAR(2 categories)

For outstanding contributions to the conservation ofour land or water. Recipient could be a landowner,administrator, technician or organization involvedwith such things as watershed management, soilconservation measures, wetlands or estuarineconservation, wild rivers protection and protectionof surface or groundwater water quality or quantitystandards.

CONSERVATIONCOMMUNICATOR OF THE YEARFor outstanding conservation efforts by a person,group, newspaper, magazine, radio, television station ora form of social media in the state. The recipient of thisaward may be any recognized communication mediumwithin the state that has accomplished a high degree ofpublic awareness of the importance of natural resourceconservation.

HUNTER SAFETY EDUCATOROF THE YEAR

For outstanding efforts by an individual volunteeror organization over an extended period of time inthe education of hunter safety. Also such efforts byan individual or organization that has developed aninnovative and successful method of educating novicehunters in hunter safety.

OFFICIAL CALL FOR RESOLUTIONS!For presentation at the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

What is a resolution?• A formal, written motion which follows a specific format.

Why submit a resolution?• To set a course of action for the WWF Board of Directors to follow.• To set and express an opinion of the WWF.

Who can submit a resolution?• Any affiliate organization of WWF, regardless of size.• Any member of the WWF Board of Directors.• Any individual associate or sustaining member – please contact an

Associate Director or District Director to submit it on your behalf.

How should a resolution be submitted?• Typed on official organization letterhead preferred.• Signed by the author and/or officer of the submitting organization.• Mailed to the WWF office.• Postmarked no later than April 1, 2021.

What topics should resolutions deal with?• Issues pertaining to natural resources and their management or the

ronment.• Issues of importance to the entire state.

Mail your resolutions to:Wisconsin Wildlife Federation

Attn: ResolutionsPO Box 460

Poynette, WI 53955-0460

Contact the office for additional information or for specific writing format guidelines.(800) 897-4161

Conservation Achievement AwardsWisconsin Wildlife Federation

PO Box 460Poynette, WI 53955-0460

www.wiwf.org

OFFICIAL NOMINATION APPLICATIONThe Wisconsin Wildlife Federation invites you to nominate a person or groupwho has shown outstanding conservation effort and achievement in any ofthe categories listed. To make a nomination, send one copy of this form anda copy of a résumé. Attach all supporting documents and send to the aboveaddress. Deadline for receiving nominations is April 1, 2021.

Name of Nominee __________________________________________ Phone _________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________

Award Nominated For ______________________________________________________________

(For each nomination you must use a separate form. Please specify one ofthe categories for which the nomination is made.)

Nomination Made By (Name) ________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip_____________________________________________________________________

Please Note Following Instructions:

1. Please read the general rules carefully.2. Follow the outline covering the category for which the nomination is being made.3. Attach typewritten copy of a résumé of achievements.4. Include organizational memberships, affiliations, past achievements for which nomination is based on.

envi-

Deadline

April 1st


Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act Signed Into Law

Funding authorization increases from $300 million to $475 million over the next five years

ANN ARBOR, Mich — The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act of 2019 , reauthorizes the

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and increasing the funding authorization from $300 million to $475 million over the next five years.

“The passage of the Great Lakes Res-toration Initiative Act of 2019 is a major bipartisan victory for the Great Lakes, our economy and our way of life,” said Mike Shriberg, executive director of the National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center. “The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is highly success-ful in protecting our drinking water, our fish and wildlife, and the millions of jobs

dependent on a healthy Great Lakes eco-system. This increased potential invest-ment is a result of bipartisan cooperation from the Great Lakes delegation in Con-gress. We particularly thank Senators Stabenow (D-MI) and Portman (R-OH) and Reps. Joyce (R-OH), Huizenga (R-MI), Dingell (D-MI), and Kaptur (D-OH) for working together as co-chairs of the Great Lakes Task Force to get this done. The Great Lakes are great uniters, even in these divisive times. This Great Lakes Restoration Initiative increase will fund shovel-ready restoration jobs to help peo-ple recover from the economic toll of the pandemic, preserve jobs dependent on waters free from pollution and invasive species like Asian carp, and invest in the communities that have suffered most from environmental harm in our region.”

Illinois Signs Agreement to Advance Brandon Road Project to Stop Asian Carp

Michigan providing $8 million toward project to build gauntlet of technolo-gies blocking Asian carp from the Great Lakes

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In a press conference today, the State of Illinois and the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers announced they have signed a preconstruction en-gineering and design agreement for the Brandon Road Lock and Dam project that will help block invasive Asian carp from advancing from the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers through the Chicago Area Waterway System and into Lake Michigan. The project was approved by Congress in the recently passed Water Resources Development Act. The State of Michigan has agreed to provide $8 million of the approximately $10 million non-federal cost share of this phase of the project.

“If Asian carp invade the Great Lakes, they would have a devastating impact on our fisheries, tourism and outdoor recre-ation economies, and way of life across the region,” said Marc Smith, policy di-rector at the National Wildlife Federa-

tion Great Lakes Regional Center. “We thank Gov. Pritzker for completing this critical agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers so that work can move forward on the Brandon Road plan to stop Asian carp from invading the Great Lakes. We also thank the State of Michigan for honoring its commitment to provide $8 million toward the precon-struction engineering and design phase of the project, which will build a gaunt-let of technologies to keep invasive Asian carp from advancing from the Mississip-pi River watershed into Lake Michigan. Combined with Congressional approval of the project included in the recently-passed Water Resources Development Act, this agreement shows how the pro-tection of our Great Lakes water, jobs, and way of life is a uniting force across state and party boundaries. Asian carp are truly a national problem requiring this national solution.”

Learn more about the effort to stop Asian carp at www.greatlakesconserva-tion.com or by watching the National Wildlife Federation film, "Against the Current."

Enbridge Refusal to Comply with Michigan Order to Shut Down Line 5 a

Desperate Move

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Enbridge Energy announced today that they will not comply with the

State of Michigan’s order to shut down the flow of oil through the twin Line 5 pipelines in the Straits of Mackinac by May 2021. The state of Michigan revoked Enbridge’s easement permitting the pipe-line due to multiple incurable violations and a lack of due care in its operation. “This is a desperate move by Enbridge Energy to keep its dangerous pipeline posing an unacceptable risk to the Great Lakes and the communities, jobs, drink-ing water, and wildlife dependent on

them,” said Mike Shriberg, Great Lakes Regional Executive Director for the Na-tional Wildlife Federation. “Enbridge knows it has a weak case because it relies on trying to take away Michigan’s abil-ity to protect its own waters. Enbridge has repeatedly violated its easement and cannot operate Line 5 with due care and under the public trust. Enbridge has no way to cure these illegal actions other than shutting down the Straits portion of Line 5, as the Governor and Attorney General have asserted. Enbridge’s threat to defy the Governor and the law only re-inforces that they cannot be trusted with the Great Lakes.”

President’s Message When we save wildlife, we save ourselves.

More than ever, our deep con-nections to nature bind us togeth-er.

This is why it’s critical we respond to the accelerating wildlife crisis that affects us all, from restoring imperiled pollinators that sustain the foods we eat, to heeding early warnings (ca-nary in the coal mine) about the air we breathe, water we drink, and our public health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the close link between our health and wildlife — and highlighted the need for wildlife protections that pre-vent zoonotic diseases from wreaking havoc in the future.

In the midst of the global health and climate crises, we’re helping fami-lies and caregivers provide meaning-ful educational opportunities and safe outdoor experiences for children, in-cluding free Ranger Rick digital con-tent, Eco-Schools curricula, and Gar-den for Wildlife resources.

And faced with the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic, exacerbated by ongoing environmental injustices, on Black, Brown, and Indigenous com-munities, we have redoubled our ef-

forts to dismantle systemic racism. We are still early in this journey, but we are taking steps to continue evolving into a truly inclusive and anti-racist conservation organization.

Thanks to your investment, the National Wildlife Federation and our 53 affiliates have achieved incred-ible bipartisan victories for wildlife and people — including the historic Great American Outdoors Act — and laying the foundation for a green eco-nomic recovery that employs millions of youth in restoration and resilience jobs through a 21st century Civilian Conservation Corps.

Please join me in celebrating our shared victories as we continue our mission to unite all Americans to en-sure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. We’re all in this to-gether and we’ll be with you every step

of the way. Collin O’Mara

President and CEO, National Wildlife Federation

For information and to submit photos see [https://photocontest.nwf.org/menu-home.aspx?comp_id=C01304D4-386F-4A6C-998D-60B6FAF9AE01}

For information and to submit photos see [https://photocontest.nwf.org/menu-home.aspx?comp_id=C01304D4-386F-4A6C-998D-60B6FAF9AE01}

Winter Brings Bounty Of Boreal Birds To Wisconsin

MADISON, Wis. – With more people spending time at home, birdwatching has be-

come a welcome respite during the pan-demic. Heading into 2021, birds continue to brighten the Wisconsin landscape, including some in numbers not seen in years.

Pine siskins, evening grosbeaks and other “winter finches” have descended out of the Canadian boreal forest into the eastern United States, providing birdwatchers welcome excitement that promises to take some of the chill out of this winter season.

“Many of these northern species had banner nesting seasons,” said Ryan Brady, Wisconsin Department of Natu-ral Resources’ Conservation Biologist. “But then poor tree seed and fruit crops across Canada forced the birds south in search of food.”

It’s not uncommon for one or two of these northern species to overwinter in Wisconsin. Still, this season has already seen unusually good numbers in six or seven species, an event dubbed by re-searchers as a “superflight.”

First came red-breasted nuthatches and purple finches in late summer, then

droves of pine siskins in early fall, and soon after both were white-winged and red crossbills. Late October and early November brought more evening gros-beaks than any year in recent history. Pine grosbeaks and Bohemian waxwings weren’t far behind in the north woods, while redpolls soon spread statewide.

Many of these species are attracted to backyard feeders, especially as winter progresses and local supplies of natural foods are exhausted. The single best seed to offer is black oil sunflower, which has high fat content and attracts the most species. Small finches like siskins and redpolls, however, prefer nyjer (thistle), while white millet and suet can be great additions for ground-feeders and wood-peckers, respectively.

In addition to food, a heated water dish that is deep enough for birds to drink from but not bathe in is great for attracting winter finches and resident species. Every week or two, clean all food and water sources to minimize diseases like salmonellosis to keep birds healthy.

Find more tips for winter backyard bird feeding on DNR’s Birding and Bird Conservation webpage.

Pine grosbeaks are among the "winter finches" arriving in great numbers in Wiscon-sin and other parts of the eastern U.S. Photo credit: Ryan Brady


Gary EldredGary Eldred at the Schurch-Thomson

Prairie (TPE owned). 2020. Photo by Tim Eisele.

1947 – Inducted 2021

“I had been a hunter, fisherman, and trap-per since I was twelve. I deeply enjoyed these outdoor activities and spent as much time as I could pursuing them. In the process, I be-came a skilled amateur naturalist and devel-oped a strong interest in conservation. While in my mid-twenties, I was fortunate enough to read Aldo Leopold’s “Sand County Alma-nac.” That new perspective on nature and conservation, especially the chapters on land ethics, began a subtle transformation of my thinking.” – Gary Eldred

Entirely as a volunteer and teaching him-self along the way, Gary Eldred has dedicated

most of his life to the effort of identifying and protecting prairies. He is unique in being self-educated about prairie habitats and rare prairie species. Eldred has been instru-mental in preserving and re-establishing thousands of acres of prairies in Wisconsin.

While working seasonally on a state-owned bike trail in Green County in 1974, Eldred became exposed to the fieldwork of parks, forestry, wildlife activities and to the protection of endangered and threatened prairie plant communities. During his free time, he would travel around Green County hunting and fishing. Eldred discovered numerous small, isolated tracts of rare plant communities along the way.

In 1980, Eldred was hired as a Natural Resources Assistant at the Wisconsin De-partment of Natural Resources’ Wilson State Nursery in Boscobel, Wisconsin. The po-sition, which later evolved to Forestry Technician, would span his 28-year career. It paid the bills, but importantly, it was only part-time. This gave him ample time to commit to his passion – locating and preserving Wisconsin prairie remnants.

Fortunately, Eldred had a group of seven friends equally dedicated to the task. Each crew member brought different skills sets, knowledge and diverse ideas to the project. Together, they became the initial prairie aficionados of Green County. In 1976, they were instrumental in securing the site named Muralt Bluff Prairie which was bought by Green County. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources classified it as a State Natural Area, the first such site initially protected by a county government. Thus, began the subtle transformation of Eldred’s thinking. A tally of protected prairie acreage began to grow that year, too. By 2014, eleven prairie remnants totaling 170 acres had been protected under Eldred’s leadership.

Eldred’s grassroots work became a conservation organization. In 1987, the local group that he founded incorporated into a nonprofit organization dedicated to edu-cating about, protecting and restoring prairies and savannas. Networking by Eldred brought in two other nearby prairie groups and led to a change of name to The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE). As of 2020, TPE has nearly 1,400 members and eleven chapters in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota. It owns and manages over 2,100 acres and has worked with landowners to protect over a thousand acres of prairie through conserva-tion easements. And the number of prairie acres protected continues to grow.

For nearly 50 years, Eldred has been a passionate prairie advocate and conducted surveys of eleven counties in Wisconsin and three in Iowa. Sometimes driving every road in a county to look for prairie remnants, Eldred has gone door to door to educate private landowners about prairie remnants and pique their interest in saving the rare ecosystem. In some instances, it took years to gain landowner support for restoration and preservation efforts on those lands. Many times, Eldred led work parties to restore those very places. His motivation came from deep commitment to Aldo Leopold’s prin-ciple of ecological conscience to “save the parts.”

Eldred has led field trips and negotiated the purchase of prairies (through owner-ship or conservation easement) to ensure long-term preservation. He has worked with a variety of landowners, farmers, and corporate entities to share the importance of native landscapes.

Eldred has taken his love of prairies to pen and paper, drawing accurate, exception-ally beautiful illustrations of native and endangered and threatened prairie plants. The sale of his extraordinary artworks has supported prairie protection efforts. Eldred also wrote stories and booklets about the wondrous world of native landscaping and rare plant communities.

Wisconsin has perhaps never known a more dedicated and passionate volunteer for its prairies than Gary Eldred.

Quotes about Gary Eldred “Gary is much like conservationists of old. He is a renaissance man – artist, writer, scientist, organizer, and leader. He moves seamlessly from field to boardroom, educat-ing landowners, farmers, and corporate presidents on the importance of nature. His skills of persuasion have helped preserve and manage Wisconsin’s natural heritage into perpetuity.” –Thomas C. Hunt, Director of Science, Applied Ecological Services

“What is impressive about Gary is his willingness to act, to step forward and lead, and his all-out commitment to conserving the remaining prairie ecosystem of the upper Midwest. He is mostly self-taught on prairie ecology, and he had no formal training in group organizing, leadership, or environmental education. Yet, he moved forward with remarkable accomplishments.” –Richard Henderson, TPE Board of Directors

Five High-Impact Conservation Solutions for 2021

Mule deer are one of many iconic American wildlife species that would benefit from the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act—a priority for the National Wildlife Federation in 2021. Photo by Tom Koerner/USFWS.

If 2020 was a year of reckoning with all the problems facing our nation, then 2021 is the moment to embrace the bold, brave solutions we need. The issues Americans face—the COVID-19 pandemic, its resulting massive unemployment

levels, climate change, racial injustice, and a biodiversity crisis—are interconnected and need action now. Here are the National Wildlife Federation’s five top conservation priorities for 2021.1. Create Conservation Jobs

Youth unemployment due to COVID-19 and the nation’s run-down conservation and recreation infrastructure are two separate problems with one efficient solution: a 21st-century Civilian Conservation Corps.

During the Great Depression, Americans faced once-in-a-lifetime unemployment levels. As part of his New Deal program to revive the economy and American liveli-hoods, President Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC enlisted over 3 million young men to work in soil, forestry, conservation, and recreation.

An updated 21st-century CCC will: • Improve degraded wildlife habitat• Restore and reconnect forests, grasslands, and wetlands• Clean up waterways • Improve recreational areas • Make communities more resilient to climate impacts, and • Remediate environmental injustices

By recruiting youth of all backgrounds for these projects, we can get one of the hardest-hit segments of the working population back on the job and rebuild the out-door economy.

2. Confront Climate ChangeThe disasters we’ve experienced the past few years—hurricanes, floods, and wild-

fires—are anything but natural. To mitigate climate change, we need to transform ev-ery sector of the American economy, including transportation, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture, to pollute less. As we move toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, investments in natural climate solutions and natural infrastructure will lessen the ef-fects of extreme weather events.

Additionally, Congress must ensure that surface transportation infrastructure leg-islation advances clean transportation, promotes resilience, and leads us toward a net-zero emissions transportation sector and economy.

3. Advance Environmental Justice Decades of unjust environmental policies have made Black, Indigenous, and Latinx

communities more susceptible to contracting and dying from COVID-19. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making significant investments in these communities will help remove pollution from air, water, and soil, thus improving public health in communities most impacted by it. Local leaders must also commit to supporting Black, Indigenous, and Latinx environmentalists.

According to a report from the Center for American Progress, Black, Latinx, Indige-nous, Asian, and low-income communities are also “far more likely than white families to live in a place that is deprived of the benefits that nature provides, including nearby places that allow them to get outside safely and access clean water, clean air, and a diversity of wildlife.” Environmental justice isn’t limited to reducing pollution and toxins—it also involves securing access for everyone to green space and the quality-of-life improvements that it provides. Additionally, recreationists of color and varying abilities may experience harassment, microaggressions, and violence while recreating in green spaces and parks. Watch a National Wildlife Federation Creating Safe Spaces roundtable recording to learn more about how we can make the outdoors welcoming and safe for all people.

4. Restore America’s Conservation and Environmental LegacyBedrock environmental laws like the Clean Water Act and National Environmental

Policy Act have taken a hit under the Trump administration, which has made over 100 regulatory rollbacks during the past four years. President-elect Biden must reinstate these rules and safeguard the health of wildlife and humans alike. One-third of North American wildlife populations are imperiled or vulnerable, and the time to save them is now. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and North American Grasslands Conser-vation Act will invest in proactive, on-the-ground efforts by states and tribes to recover at-risk wildlife and combat cropland conversion of prairie habitat in the Midwest and Great Plains.

5. Prevent Future Pandemics COVID-19 is a zoonotic disease—it’s caused by a virus passed from animals to

people. Restoring wildlife habitat, closing wild animal markets, and ending unregulated

trafficking will prevent future zoonotic diseases. From the waters of the Great Lakes and the mighty vistas of the West to commu-

nities urban and rural, we all depend on clean air, water, and lands for our survival. With these solutions laid out before us—compiled from both the pages of American history and the cutting edge of science and policymaking today—we can ensure that both people and wildlife thrive in the coming decade.

Tell Congress to take action toward saving America’s wildlife by support-ing the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act.

Biden Administration Reasserts U.S. Leadership to Confront the Climate CrisisDay One Executive Actions Affirm

Biden’s Commitment to Rebuild Econo-my by Restoring Public Lands, Strength-ening Public Health Protections, Re-specting Tribes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presi-dent Joe Biden’s decision to re-enter the Paris Climate

Agreement and re-establish U.S. lead-ership on climate solutions is welcome news for wildlife and people alike. The National Wildlife Federation also her-alded Biden’s immediate actions to re-store Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments, halt destructive oil and gas leasing in the Arc-tic National Wildlife Refuge, and reverse more than 100 regulatory rollbacks and agency assaults on public health, clean air and water, and the environment. These actions are essential to creating jobs, revitalizing the economies of front-line and rural communities, investing in innovative clean energy, and helping

wildlife recover and thrive.“President Joe Biden is sending a

crystal clear signal on his very first day that American will lead on climate change at home and abroad,” said Col-lin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “Unfor-tunately, we cannot build the future we desperately need without first unwind-ing the destructive acts of the past four years — and, given their indisputable and increasingly devastating impacts, we have no time to waste. We applaud President Biden for taking these critical first steps on our long journey to rebuild our economy, revitalize frontline commu-nities, improve our health, reduce pollu-tion, restore our public lands, respect Indigenous communities, and protect our wildlife heritage. We look forward to working with the Biden administration and Congress to implement ambitious, bipartisan solutions as big as the chal-lenges we face.”


W.W.F.Business Membership

SilverSteve’s Southside Citgo, WatertownPaul R. Sommers, DDS, SC, WatertownWatertown Trade and Auctions, WatertownAdvanced Building Corporation, VeronaManitowoc Co Fish & Game Protective Assoc., ManitowocHealth in Motion Physical Therapy, Rhinelander

Support Businesses That Support Conservation

BronzeBest Sound Service, Watertown

Keck Furniture, WatertownDave’s Turf and Marine, Watertown

Theder Home Services and Construction, WatertownCastle Rock Marine Inc., New LisbonJ & L Tire, Johnson CreekJ & H Game Farm, ShioctonCity Limits, ManitowocGeneral Beer-NE Division, Stevens PointShooters, PloverWild Wings, CampbellsportCarbos, Amherst Junction

Noisy Creek Adventures, RhinelanderZ’s Hound Haven, Merrill

WWF “Kitchen News”Dolmathes (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Ingredients 2 lbs hamburger1 cup rice2 eggssalt and pepper

dash of mint1 large onion grated1.3 cup oil1 tablespoon butter25 large grape leaves

DirectionsMix burger, rice, eggs, salt, pepper, mint parsley, onion, and ¼ cup oil in a large mixing bowl. Mix Well. Place about a table spoon of meat on the bottom side of the leaf, at the wide part of the leaf, and roll up. Squeeze each one slightly before placing in a large pot. When all the Dolmathes are in the pot, pour 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil on top. Place a heavy plate on the Dolmathes and cover with water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour. 15 minutes before the Dolmathes are done make the sauce.

Sauce3 eggsjuice from 1 ½ lemons1 cup broth from Dolmathes

Directions Beat eggs until thickened. Stir in lemon juice. Pour in broth and stir vigorously. When Dolmathes are done, pour sauce over them and serve immediately.

Bulgogi (Korean BBQ) Ingredients 1 steak thinly sliced

Marinade 2 teaspoons sugar2 tablespoons sesame oil4 tablespoons soy sauce1 tablespoon ground sesame seed2 tablespoons mined garlic½ teaspoon black pepper

DirectionsMix all marinade ingredients and pour over beef. Marinade for 3 to 4 hour. Cook on outdoor grill over high heat for 1-2 minutes per side.

Gebratenes Kaninchenfilet (Pan-Fried Rabbit Tenderloin)

Ingredients 1 teaspoon oil4 rabbit tenderloins2 tablespoons butter

1 clove garlic sliced3 tablespoons chicken stock1 strip unwaxed lemon zest1 strip unwaxed orange zest

DirectionsHeat the oil in a cast iron skillet and sear the tenderloins on all sides over medium heat. Melt the butter in another skillet and add the garlic, lemon zest and orange zest, and let them infuse for a few minutes. Turn the meat into the seasoned butter and coat well. Cut the meat into medallions and served drizzled with butter. Serve with root vegetables.

December 2020 CalendarWinners

1 $1000 Cash Ty Mantooth, Lebanon, IN 91232 Browning A Bolt 3 Rifle Kathy Marsh, Oshkosh 24823 Moultrie Trail Camera David Smith, Waukesha 1284 $100 Cash Logan Mayer, Madison 55815 Armsco .410 O/U Shotgun Daryl E Hronek, Oneida 34666 $100 Cash Rob Frank, Oshkosh 49487 $100 Cabelas Gift Card Jon Seboth, Cedarburg 96248 Winchester XPR Rifle John T. Blatz, Crivitz 24839 Cooler Bag Set and Engraved 3 Piece Knife Set Ed Lauer, Sheboygan Falls 763110 Armsco .410 O/U Shotgun Jim Simdon, Fort Atkinson 339511 $100 Kwik Trip Gift Card Ken Bainter, Sparta 690112 $100 Cash Greg Guchan, Slinger 963413 Winchester 3.5" 12 Gauge Camo Shotgun Darrell Janecek, Dousman 577114 $100 Cabelas Gift Card Zachary Fuller, Iola 992115 $100 Cash Dale Koepke, Sheboygan 1001816 Weatherby PA-08 Shotgun Al Young Bauer, Berlin 507417 $100 Cash Diane Gillette, Ixonia 732118 Cooler Bag Set and Engraved 3 Piece Knife Set Dawn White, Twin Lake, MI 998519 Savage Axis .243 Rifle Perry Kempf, Verona 232320 $100 Cabelas Gift Card Robert Willegal, Waukegan, IL 680521 $100 Cash Mike Larson, Janesville 956922 Armsco .410 Pump Shotgun Sherman Mancheski, Denmark 211823 Cooler Bag Set and Engraved 3 Piece Knife Set Mary Lou Zettler, Athens 559424 $100 Kwik Trip Gift Card Rick Bratz, Watertown 746625 Rock Island .38 Revolver EG Becker, Fort Atkinson 986126 Bone Handle Block Knife Set Engraved Curt Pavlicek, Dickinson, ND 4927 Ruger Cerakote .380 Pistol Michael Kizowski, Rosholt 679928 $100 Cash Chris Klein, Dickinson, ND 2629 Moultrie Reaction cam/pro Carolyn Andrejat, St. Germain 587930 Bone Handle Block Knife Set Engraved Leonard Fleischman, Antigo 234731 Moultrie Trail Camera Brian Nemic, Hillsboro 2189

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2020 WWF BANQUET DATESDISTRICT CONTACT DATE LOCATION

District 3 North Brian Hobbs August 7, 2021 Crickets Bar & Grill(Osceola) 715-417-0940 Amery, WI [email protected]

District 4 East Gary Fitzgerald Summer/Fall 2020 Shooter’s(Plover) 715-824-6310 Cancelled Plover, WI [email protected] 2021 TBA

District 4 West Randy Teresinski 2021 TBA American Legion(Neillsville) 715-897-8832 Loyal, WI

District 5 Jerry Lingnofski Fall 2020 TBD Romys Nitingale(Fox Valley) 920-841-8427 (New Location) [email protected] Black Creek, WI

District 6 Michelle Graff February 6, 2021 Fox Hollow Banquet Facility(LaCrosse) 608-797-1292 1st Sat in February LaCrosse, WI [email protected]

District 6 Ed Rollins Spring 2021 TBA Castle Hill Supper Club(Black River Falls) 715-964-1263 Merrillan, WI [email protected]

District 8 Greg Kronschnabel Spring 2021 TBA Ingleside Hotel(Oconomowoc/ 262-719-4530 Pewaukee, WIPewaukee) [email protected]

District 9 Tracey Czechan Spring 2021 TBA Hilton Garden Inn(Milwaukee) 262-442-2583 Milwaukee, WI [email protected]

Statewide Wayne Thayer January 30, 2021 Ho Chunk Casino(WI Dells) 608-754-4965 Wisconsin Dells, WI [email protected]

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