Family-Outdoors

Citizens interested in learning about or commenting on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources strategies for managing Finland area lakes and streams have until Jan. 15 to ask questions or submit comments. “Management plans describe the past, present and desired future conditions of the waters,” said Dean Paron, Finland area fisheries supervisor. “The plans identify specific management activities planned for that lake or stream in the next 5 to 20 years. They include background on the lake including water chemistry, temperature, and species present which is important in understanding the potential of a fishery.” Every year DNR fisheries staff prepares or revises individual lake and stream management plans for several waters in each management area. In the Finland area, plans for the following lakes and streams will be reviewed. Lakes: • Echo. • Harriet. • Wanless. • Scarp. • Bear. • Bean. • Finn Pond. • Weapon. • Katherine. • Gypsy. • Tonic. • Fulton....

Working together with the United States Attorney and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement continues their education effort in support of wildlife as they fight the devastating effects of euthanasia drugs. John W. Vaudreuil, United States Attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin, announced the successful Seven eagles were found at the Wisconsin landfill and it was determined they had all fed on euthanized house cats,  vomited and were near death upon rescue by the Raptor Education Group, Inc. Photo courtesy of the Raptor Education Group, Inc. completion of the April 2012 agreement reached between the United States and Jennifer M. Primich, 37, of Phelps, Wisconsin, in connection with the accidental poisoning of bald eagles on April 9, 2011, at a landfill near Eagle River, Wis. Pursuant to the pretrial diversion agreement, Primich agreed to complete 12 hours of community outreach at County Humane Societi...

People who want to learn more about or just explore a wide variety of Wisconsin natural resources can begin signing up March 20 for any of the more than 120 field trips being offered this summer and fall by the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin in partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and other environmental educators. These are among some of the more popular types of field trips offered. The field trips are guided by experts, including many DNR staff, who help people discover some of the best-kept secrets of state parks, state natural areas and other locations.“Any family is really missing out if their summer plans don’t include helping band fawns or elk, birding by canoe on the Wisconsin River, or hanging out with biologists as they electroshock streams, search for mussels, or monitor bats,” said Ruth Oppedahl, Natural Resources Foundation executive director. Oppedahl said some of the more popular field trips fill up quickly, “so the sooner you sign up the be...

Image via Wikipedia WASHINGTON – In partnership with state, tribal, and federal agency partners, the Obama Administration today released the first draft national strategy to help decision makers and resource managers prepare for and help reduce the impacts of climate change on species, ecosystems, and the people and economies that depend on them. The draft National Fish, Wildlife and Plants Climate Adaptation Strategy, available for public review and comment through March 5, 2012, can be found on the web at   www. wildlifeadaptationstrategy.gov The strategy represents a draft framework for unified action to safeguard fish, wildlife and plants, as well as the important benefits and services the natural world provides the nation every day, including jobs, food, clean water, clean air, building materials, storm protection, and recreation. “The impacts of climate change are already here and those who manage our landscapes are already dealing with them,” said Deputy Secretary of the...

MADISON – Kids of all ages can fill out a certificate to give their father a gift he'll really like -- a future fishing trip with them. The fishing certificate can be downloaded and printed from the Department of Natural Resources EEK!, Environmental Education for Kids website, which is designed for children in grades 4-8. EEK! and the DNR fisheries management program have teamed up to offer the gift certificates. EEK! provides information about plants, animals, and the environment and receives more than 100,000 visitors a month. “ Kids and fishing naturally go together, so we thought this was a perfect opportunity to encourage kids to take someone important in their lives outside for a day of fishing and fun," says Carrie Morgan, EEK! editor. “Have a great time, and remember to take a camera and send us a picture, and a Big Fish story ,” she says. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Scheidegger (608) 267-9426; Carrie Morgan (608) 26 7-5239