Important Timely News
Retired Rick
May 21, 2026
DNR Celebrates Endangered Species Day
Together with partners across the state and beyond, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrates Endangered Species Day today, May 15, 2026.
Endangered Species Day is an opportunity to recognize the successful recovery of species like bald eagles and trumpeter swans through decades of collaborative effort. Its also a time to look at species that continue to face threats and are endangered, threatened or rare.
Wisconsin is home to thousands of native species of animals, and 487 of those are considered at risk. This includes species like the little brown bat, which has faced massive declines due to white-nose syndrome, the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly and rusty patched bumble bee, as well as nearly half of Wisconsins 50 native mussel species. Wisconsin is also home to over 2,300 species of native plants, and over 20% of those are at risk.
The DNR's Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation works with partners to aid in recovery, conservation and habitat management for our rare and endangered species. Donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are a critical source of funding for this work.
Wisconsins rarest species continue to need our help, and the work of department staff, along with many collaborators across the state, helps conserve these species for the future, said Drew Feldkirchner, DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau Director. Volunteers and donors to the Endangered Resources Fund continue to have a tremendous positive impact. Together, we can ensure a better future for Wisconsins biodiversity.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
May 14, 2026
Wisconsin NRB Meeting May 27
The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB) will meet in-person for the May meeting to consider proposed rulemaking documents and other matters.
The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27 in public meeting room G09, State Natural Resources Building (GEF 2), 101 South Webster Street, Madison, Wisconsin. The Board will act on items 1-4 and 7 as listed on the agenda.
The public is encouraged to watch the May meeting on the DNRs YouTube channel.
The deadline to register for public testimony and/or submit written comments for board consideration is 11 a.m. on May 20, 2026. Remote testimony from the public via Zoom may be accepted. In-person public appearances are also welcome.
Read More Here
Retired Rick
May 11, 2026
DNR Reminds Hunters To Apply For A 2026 Elk Hunting License By May 31
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds Wisconsin hunters that they have until May 31, 2026 to apply for a chance at a 2026 elk hunting license.
Wisconsin's elk hunting season is a unique hunting opportunity, open only to Wisconsin residents. With a few clicks, Wisconsinites can purchase their elk license applications online through Go Wild. Application purchases are also available in-person at license agents across the state.
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Retired Rick
May 4, 2026
DNR Recognizes Importance Of Clean Air During Clean Air Month
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes Clean Air Month every May, emphasizing the importance of clean air and the impact it has on our health and environment.
Over the last several decades, air quality across Wisconsin has significantly improved. In recent years, however, that trend has slowed. Recent rollbacks of federal emission control rules will make it even more difficult to achieve important emissions reductions and protect public health across the state.
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May 4, 2026
From: Dale Lang
Date: Mon, May 4, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Northern Region Retirees GroupI revised our directory and attached it. Im sure there are errors, especially for phone numbers. Please look it over and send me any corrections.
Now the lunches.
May 12Ten Point Bar
June 9Shamrock
July 14Outboards
Aug 11Dinky Diner
Sept 8Tilted Loon
Oct 13Town Pump
Nov 10Heart II
Dec 8CTs Deli
For our lunches, we meet starting at 11:00 and eat at noon, except as noted below.
Outboards Bar & Grill, 616 N 4th St, Tomahawk. https://outboardsbarandgrill.com/ By the bridge.
Dinky Diner, 130 N Brown St, Rhinelander. https://www.facebook.com/TerrieandRicksDinkyDiner
Ten Point Bar & Grill, 3983 Harshaw Rd, Harshaw. https://www.facebook.com/tenpointmandr/
Shamrock Pub N Eatery, downtown Lake Tomahawk, 7235 Bradley Street (Hwy 47). http://www.shamrocklaketom.com/
CTs Deli, downtown Rhinelander, 17 N Brown St. http://cheftomsdeli.com/ We usually have the Community Room. Since this is a deli, you order your drinks and food at the counter, pick up your drinks, then they call your name when your food is ready, and you get it from the food counter. It might be good if you place your order when you get there, so were not all ordering at the same time.
Tilted Loon Saloon, 1969 Co Rd L, Tomahawk, on Lake Nokomis. https://www.tiltedloon.com/
Town Pump, 7161 Highway 8, 7 miles west of Rhinelander. https://townpumprhi.com/
Heart II, 11023 WI-70, Woodruff (Arbor Vitae) just east of Hwy 51. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063480975971
Some background. Were an informal organization (not very well organized!). No dues or anything like that. We meet for lunch monthly, except in winter. We order and pay for our meals individually. Spouses, guests, etc. are welcome to join us.
Our group is basically DNR retirees from the Rhinelander, Woodruff, Tomahawk, and Antigo offices and field stations in those areas. We have a few members from Wausau, Park Falls, Mercer, etc. Retirees from other parts of the state who now live in the area are welcome, also. Folks who have moved out of the area may remain on the email list. Some on the list are spouses of deceased retirees, who have requested to remain on.
There are about 170 on the list. Because spam controls limit the number of addresses I can send at one time, I must send each message four times.
If you know retirees who are not on the list, please ask them to contact me. I have no way to know about new retirees unless someone tells me.
Retired Rick
Apr 28, 2026
2026 Statewide Spring Hearing Results Now Available
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) today announced the 2026 Spring Hearing questions and results are now available.
More than 6,800 people responded to the 2026 Spring Hearing questionnaire either in person April 13 or online April 13-15. The results and questions are now available on the DNR's Spring Hearing and Public Input Opportunity webpage.
The Conservation Congress is proud to offer this opportunity for the public to share their ideas on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin's natural resources for present and future generations, said Rob Bohmann, WCC chair. This year, we saw a variety of ideas presented as citizen resolutions from members of the public as well as considerable participation and feedback on the advisory questions presented both in-person and online.
It is wonderful to see the public invested in this important process and it tells us how much they value resource management in Wisconsin, added Bohmann.
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Retired Rick
Apr 27, 2026
DNR Seeks Public Input On 2026-2036 Fisheries Management Strategic Plan
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently drafting a new Fisheries Management Strategic Plan and is seeking public input. This plan will aim to provide direction on how Wisconsins fisheries resources are managed and sustained over the next 10 years.
The DNR is responsible for managing and sustaining Wisconsin's extensive fisheries resources, including over 160 fish species, 15,000 lakes, 42,000 miles of perennial streams and rivers, two Great Lakes and 260 miles of the Mississippi River.
Managing these systems effectively requires planning to achieve goals related to providing high-quality and sustainable fisheries.
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Retired Rick
Apr 21, 2026
DNR Invites Public To Work Play Earth Day Events
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to make a lasting impact during the month of April by participating in a Work Play Earth Day event.
Annually, Wisconsinites have several opportunities to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) through acts of service and outdoor recreation at Wisconsin state parks, forests, trail and recreation areas.
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Retired Rick
Apr 18, 2026
Help Birds During Spring Migration
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages Wisconsinites to enjoy the return of migratory birds to Wisconsin this spring and take a few simple steps to help our feathered friends.
The Mississippi River flyway and Great Lakes shorelines make Wisconsin an important place for more than 350 species of birds during spring migration. In addition, our state's diverse grasslands, marshes and forests provide key habitats for migratory birds.
Spring migration brings hope and excitement for birdwatchers, said Ryan Brady, Wisconsin DNR conservation biologist. But its also a dangerous time for birds, many of which need our help.
Warblers, orioles, thrushes, hummingbirds, tanagers, indigo buntings and shorebirds are among the favorite long-distance migratory birds that people will likely see in the upcoming weeks. Their migration is influenced primarily by changes in the duration of daylight.
Give Birds A Hand This Spring
Native bird populations in the U.S. and Canada have declined by nearly 3 billion birds since 1970.
The public can help birds during this key time by taking a few small steps at home:
Shut off exterior lights at night during May, which is historically peak migration.
Reduce window collisions with external screens, markers or cords. Get DIY solutions from SOS Save Our Songbirds.
Visit the Wisconsin DNRs listings of native plant sales and nurseries so you can add native plants to your landscaping. Fruit-bearing native trees like serviceberry, dogwood and cherry, provide both food and cover for birds.
Avoid pesticides to help insect-eating birds, which include many backyard species as well as swallows, swifts, nightjars and flycatchers.
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Retired Rick
Apr 18, 2026
DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program Volunteer Training Opportunities
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking volunteers for the Wisconsin Rare Plant Monitoring Program, a community-based science program that allows plant enthusiasts to conduct surveys for rare plants around the state.
Volunteers collect information to help assess rare plant population trends for both state and national conservation efforts. The volunteer program is Wisconsin's largest source of rare plant data.
Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Whether you have botanical knowledge, a commitment to conservation or are just passionate about plants, this is a great opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while making a difference, said Jessica Ross, Wisconsin DNR Rare Plant Monitoring Program coordinator. Volunteer efforts play a significant role in helping us understand the state of rare plants in Wisconsin and inform how we might conserve them.
Since 2013, Rare Plant Monitoring Program volunteers have checked on the health and size of rare native plant populations in nearly every county in the state. In 2025, nearly 100 trained volunteers from around the state submitted 427 reports of rare plants, including 74 new populations.
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