Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Every year the DNR stocks millions of fish across the state. Do you ever wonder where they go or how they impact our fisheries? Well, thanks to DNA analysis, we can now answer those questions. By studying fish DNA, we can create a family tree of stocked fish to help us validate when and where stocking is most effective. Curious how we do it? Check out the article about parentage-based tagging in the summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gVzrr2_N

Are you planning a boating or fishing trip? Sounds like fun on any of Wisconsin’s 15,000 incredible lakes and 84,000 miles of stunning rivers and streams. Please keep in mind that July 4 – 6 is the National Operation Dry Water campaign. In addition to other water enthusiasts, you’ll be seeing local boat patrols, Wisconsin DNR conservation wardens and more officers on the waters. They will be sharing boating safety information and removing impaired operators from the waters to ensure a safe environment for all. Remember, alcohol is a leading factor in boater fatalities and accidents. Stay safe, wear your life jacket and stay sober. Have a great holiday weekend.

Get ready to make a difference on Wisconsin's waters! The Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz is going on now through July 6. During this time, boaters will be greeted at landings and access points by volunteers and regional aquatic invasive species prevention partners sharing the simple but powerful message: You can protect your favorite lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species impacts. By taking a few minutes to inspect your boat, remove any attached plant material or mud, and drain your livewell or bait bucket, you can help stop the spread of invasives. Look for volunteers across the state during the blitz to learn more about how you can make a difference. Photo Credit: Jeanne Scherer

We recently launched a new web mapping application that you can use to plan your next outdoor adventure. The Public Access Lands application, available on your desktop and mobile device, offers easy-to-use tools to help you locate a state park, county forest or lake for hiking, hunting or fishing. It also provides up-to-date property information, DNR parking areas and boat access sites, restricted areas and links to webpages with additional information and detailed maps, if available. The application has graphic tools to customize your map and a map ‘theme’ option to display layers relevant to specific opportunities, such as fishing waters or hunting areas. It complements the printed Public Access Lands Atlas, which was updated in January. To try out the new web-based app, visit: https://lnkd.in/g_k5mnby

Summer is here, along with new career opportunities for you at the DNR. To find the next adventure in your career, head to wisc.jobs, then click Search by Agency and choose Dept of Natural Resources to find all of our current openings.

Skylar Voigt, a recent UW-La Crosse biology graduate with an aquatic science concentration, attended Fisheries Bootcamp at the Northern Highland Fisheries Research Area (NHFRA) this past May. Bootcamp participants spend a weekend receiving hands-on training in many fish survey techniques during the research area’s busy spring survey season. For many students, this was about exploring the many career paths they are faced with choosing after graduation. For Voigt, this was also about understanding tangent scientific areas. Her passion lies in aquatic entomology, or the study of aquatic insects, so why was she at Fisheries Bootcamp? Aquatic insects are vital to food webs, as they feed many fish, among many other ecosystem services in rivers and lakes. “Aquatic environments are incredibly interconnected, so it’s important to look at entire ecosystems when examining aquatic insect communities. Because of this, fisheries science and research are a really valuable way to better our knowledge of these insects and their environments,” Skylar said. The NHFRA, with support from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, hosts Fisheries Bootcamp every year. The event fulfills a part of the NHFRA’s mission to conduct high-priority fisheries research and serve as a collaborative training ground and study site for students, early-career fisheries professionals and academics. “My experience at the Fisheries Bootcamp was instrumental in developing my fieldwork skills and techniques and has helped me to feel a lot more confident in the skills I’ve learned throughout my degree. It’s invaluable to be able to meet professionals in my field and get a hands-on experience that I couldn’t find in a classroom," she said. Learn more about this exciting event and how you could get involved next year in this recent article from Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gsY7DsfR

Several DNR staff were recently highlighted in a new book, “River Profiles: The People Restoring Our Waterways,” for their important freshwater research and management efforts. Written by Pete Hill, the book’s sixth chapter, “Wisconsin Trout: Restoring Driftless Area Streams and Mitigating for Effects of Climate Change,” discusses the results of a 2019 study led by DNR Coldwater Fisheries Research Scientist Dr. Matt Mitro. The core takeaway from this study was a projected 68% decline in Wisconsin stream habitat for brook trout and a 32% decline for brown trout by the mid-21st century, should climate change continue as projected. The book also highlights the monitoring work that Trout Unlimited volunteer and DNR collaborator Kent Johnson has done on the Kinnickinnic River and its tributaries, as well as DNR fisheries biologists Nate Anderson and Kasey Yallaly for their trout management efforts in the River Falls area. At the DNR, we know our staff do great work every day, but we love it when others take notice, too! To learn more about the DNR projects Hill discusses, visit the Fisheries Research homepage at https://lnkd.in/gJZ8ZFht

We're seeking a DNR District Wildlife Supervisor – Northern District to join our team. This position may be located at our offices in Spooner, Rhinelander, Antigo, Ladysmith or Park Falls, Wisconsin. This position is responsible for supervising and administrating all aspects of the Wildlife Management Program within the Northern District of Wisconsin. As a member of the Wildlife Management Leadership Team, you'll assist in setting statewide policy on wildlife management issues. This position reports to the Deputy Wildlife Bureau Director and will supervise professional staff and area wildlife supervisors in implementing wildlife activities. To learn more about the position requirements and to apply, visit Wisc.jobs and search Job ID 14509. Applications are due Monday, June 24, 2024.

It's here, and it's really good: the summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. From paddling to pet-friendly places and wetlands to waterskiing, this issue has what you need to get outdoors, explore and have a great summer in our beautiful state. Find stories on fishing, conservation projects, air quality and e-cycling. Plus, check out our ID guides for butterflies, trees and invasive species so you’ll know what to look for – and what to avoid. Read it now and subscribe! Four issues are just $8.97: https://lnkd.in/gibKCwRu

Prepare for your summer excursions and adventures by signing up to receive air quality advisory notices from the DNR. Individuals who sign up for notices receive updates about air quality conditions in their county. Poor air quality can affect children, older adults, people who work outdoors and those with respiratory or cardiac-related illnesses. Staying up-to-date on current conditions can help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being when planning to explore the outdoors. It’s easy to sign up! Just visit the DNR’s Air Quality News and Subscriptions webpage: https://lnkd.in/dbkiCWW