Important Timely News
Retire Rick
Sep 9, 2026
DNR Downtown Madison Service Center Will Close Sept. 30
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources today announced that with the sale of the GEF2 building in downtown Madison, the DNRs central office located within the building will close to the public on Sept. 30, 2026.
The GEF2 building is being sold to developers as part of Gov. Tony Evers "Vision 2030 plan, which involves downsizing state office space and saving Wisconsin taxpayers money as the DNR and other state agencies introduce a more modern approach to their workforce.
Madison-based DNR staff will be relocating to Hill Farms, which will be a DNR field office. While a field office is not regularly open to the public, customers can schedule an appointment with local staff. To find the appropriate staff person to meet with in-person or via phone, call the DNRs information line at 1-888-936-7463 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily or find a contact using the DNR's online Point of Contact tool.
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Retired Rick
Sep 3, 2026
DNR Celebrates 75 Years Of State Natural Areas
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program, the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in collaboration with over 60 partners, cares for nearly 700 sites that protect outstanding examples of Wisconsin's native landscape of natural communities, significant geological formations and archeological sites.
The Wisconsin Legislature created the State Natural Areas Program in November 1951, to protect the best examples of Wisconsin's native "natural communities" distinct groupings of plants, animals, soils, geology and climate that include different types of grasslands, wetlands and forests. Since its founding, the program has also grown to protect other aspects of Wisconsin's natural heritage, including significant geological features, archeological sites and critical habitat for some rare species.
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Retired Rick
Sep 2, 2026
Groundwater Coordinating Council Releases Its 2026 Report To The Legislature
The Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinating Council recently shared key recommendations for protecting and preserving vital groundwater resources in its 2026 annual report to the Wisconsin State Legislature.
The key recommendations in the report address some of the most prevalent and pressing issues in Wisconsin, including:
Addressing PFAS contamination in groundwater
Addressing nitrate contamination in groundwater
Addressing pesticides contamination in groundwater
Finding solutions for water-stressed areas that affect communities, economic activity and water resources
Addressing other contaminations found in groundwater
"Wisconsin depends heavily on groundwater, and we need to coordinate and invest in protecting this water resource," said Joe Van Rossum, GCC Chair and DNR Environmental Management Deputy Division Administrator. "As new challenges emerge and new ideas develop, a collaborative approach involving the GCC and, most importantly, Wisconsin state legislators will be essential to developing effective and long-term solutions."
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Retired Rick
Aug 29, 2026
DNR And DHS Issue 2026-2028 Fish Consumption Booklet
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), today announced the online publication of the 2026-2028 Choose Wisely booklet, which outlines consumption guidelines for fish caught from waterbodies across the state.
While fish are a great source of lean protein and healthy omega-3 fats, pollutants from the water they live in and the food they eat may build up in their bodies. Some pollutants can build up to levels that can be harmful to wildlife and humans who eat fish.
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Retired Rick
Aug 26, 2026
Piping Plovers Observed Nesting On Wisconsin Point For The First Time In 49 Years
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that a pair of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus), migratory shorebirds that are endangered in the Great Lakes region, was observed nesting this summer on Wisconsin Point in Superior for the first time in 49 years. The St. Louis River estuary historically supported breeding populations of piping plovers, but nesting had not been documented in the estuary since 1977.
The pair nested on an isolated stretch of sand and cobble that was built as part of a collaborative habitat recovery project for the species. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wisconsin DNR, St. Louis River Alliance (SLRA) and U.S. EPA, with funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, invested $4.5 million into the creation and maintenance of this site as part of the St. Louis River Area of Concern (AOC). AOCs are sites on the Great Lakes with significant environmental damage that were designated by the U.S. and Canada in 1987 as needing special attention to restore.
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Retired Rick
Aug 17, 2026
DNR Seeking Volunteers And Landowners To Teach Hunters Of All Experience Levels
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers to teach hunters of all experience levels practical hunting skills. Volunteer opportunities are available in all parts of the state.
Becoming a volunteer instructor is a great way to shape the future of hunting in Wisconsin, get hands-on teaching experience, work closely with DNR staff and engage with your local community.
In addition to hunter education classes, the DNR and its contracted partners (Becoming an Outdoors Woman, National Deer Association, Pass It On Outdoor Mentors, Pheasants Forever and Raised at Full Draw) offer additional instruction and continuing education to hunters of all experience levels. We are seeking volunteers to coordinate and instruct programs that teach hands-on skills to help participants gain the experience and confidence needed to hunt independently.
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Retired Rick
Aug 14, 2026
2026 Bonus Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorizations Available For Purchase Aug. 17
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorizations for the 2026 gun deer season will be available for purchase online through the Go Wild license portal and at license sales locations starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026.
An online queuing system will be used to manage volume in Go Wild. All users entering the site between 9:45 a.m. and 10 a.m. will be randomly assigned a number and staged in a virtual queue. Users will be arranged randomly regardless of the actual time they enter the system. There is no advantage for customers who enter the site before 9:45 a.m. Users who log on after 10 a.m. will be added to the end of the existing queue in the order of arrival.
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Retired Rick
Aug 10, 2026
Avoid Ash Trees When Placing Deer Stands
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters to avoid placing deer stands in or near ash trees as they start scouting properties ahead of the coming deer hunting season.
Most ash trees in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin are dead or dying due to the emerald ash borer, and infestations in the northern part of the state are rapidly expanding. Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 72 Wisconsin counties, and unreported infestations are also likely to be present.
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Retired Rick
Jul 30, 2026
Eligible Hunters: Sign Up For Fall Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities By Sept. 15
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds eligible disabled hunters hoping to participate in the 2026 gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities to contact and confirm their hunting location with a hunt sponsor before Sept. 15, 2026.
Sponsors have enrolled nearly 70,000 acres of land across 47 counties for this year's hunt taking place Oct. 3-11, 2026. To participate in the 2026 hunt, hunters should contact sponsors directly. Some properties can accommodate more hunters than others, so hunters are advised to contact potential sponsors as early as possible to determine availability.
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Retired Rick
Jul 27, 2026
Applications For 2027 Upriver Lakes Sturgeon Spearing Season Due Aug. 1
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds spearers that the deadline to apply for an Upriver Lakes tag or purchase a preference point is Aug. 1, 2026 for the upcoming 2027 sturgeon spearing season.
Within the Winnebago System, the Upriver Lakes are shallower than Lake Winnebago. Due to this, water clarity is not as much of a concern to spearers during the season, resulting in higher success rates. To ensure lake sturgeon are not overharvested in this area, only 500 license holders are selected annually to spear on lakes Poygan, Winneconne or Butte des Morts.
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