Blue-green algae, also known as Cyanobacteria, are a group of photosynthetic bacteria that many people refer to as "pond scum." Blue-green algae are most often blue-green in color, but can also be blue, green, reddish-purple, or brown. Blue-green algae generally grow...
Conservation Corner
Conservation Corner is a weekly article produced by the Forest County Land & Water Conservation Department.
For more information contact Kayla Littleton, County Conservationist-Land Information/GIS Director at 715-478-1387 or by e-mail at
Walleye Management
As a musky fisherman, I consistently hear walleye fishermen stating that they’d catch more walleyes if it weren’t for the muskies eating them all. They’ll say, “if we’re not catching walleye, then something else must be.” But, people’s beliefs about who’s eating who...
Oak Wilt Disease
Tips for helping to prevent oak wilt disease It’s best to avoid cutting, pruning or damaging oak trees this time of year to prevent the spread of oak wilt disease. Oaks are most vulnerable to the disease during the growing season, especially from April 1 to July 15....
Thorn Hired as FLOW AIS Coordinator
Lumberjack Resource Conservation & Development Council announced the hiring of Derek Thorn as the FLOW(Forest, Langlade, Oconto Waterways) AIS (Aquatic Invasive Species) Coordinator. Derek was born and raised in the Rhinelander area and attended Three Lakes High...
Mosquito Sprays
What’s in Mosquito Sprays? Most residential mosquito control companies use insecticides known as pyrethrins, which are chemicals derived from chrysanthemum flowers that are toxic to insects; or more frequently, pyrethroids, which are synthetic chemicals that mimic...
Shoreland Restoration
As the weather warms and people are returning to the Northwoods, we’ve been busy scheduling our Shoreland Restoration projects. I’ve been reviewing/designing a few plans and a lot of them have fire pits incorporated in them. Several of the plans had firepits on the...
Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC)
Forest County is a partner and supporter of the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Coalition (WRISC). WRISC is a coalition which seeks and obtains grant funding from many sources to provide services to Forest, Florence, and Marinette Counties in Wisconsin and Dickinson and...
Shoreline Erosion
Lake Property Owners, have you noticed erosion along your shoreline? This is a challenge that many shoreland property owners face, we would like to share some tips on how to keep your shoreland property in place! The best way to identify and assess erosion problems is...
What Causes Buds to Open in Spring?
Spring has finally sprung! Not only are crocuses, day lilies and daffodils starting to show up in our gardens, but many trees are also budding. It is a wonderful sight, giving us hope for longer and warmer days to come. Did you ever stop and think what causes trees to...
Keep Aquatic Invasive Species out of the lakes
As the last of the ice is finally gone, many people look forward to getting their boats back in the water. This also means groups will once again head to boat launches in an effort to keep Aquatic Invasive Species [AIS] out of the lakes. AIS can be determinantal to...
‘Keep Wildlife Wild’ Week 2024
In Wisconsin, April 4-10 is ‘Keep Wildlife Wild’ Week. Our year-round activities bring us outside to enjoy the natural environment and view our wildlife resources. Wild animals are valued by many, and it’s important to observe them at a respectful distance to keep...
Climate Change
Last week, we marked the spring equinox on March 20, the first day of spring. I’m sure many of us are thinking about the change of seasons and the hope of warmer days to come. The warmer temperatures can also bring up the idea of climate change. There are many...