by Steve Kircher | Dec 25, 2023 | Conservation Corner
I noticed this morning that Lake Metonga finally froze over. Soon, we’ll be back out on our Northwoods lakes to begin the Hardwater Season. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) urges the public to practice ice safety on all of Wisconsin’s waterbodies as...
by Steve Kircher | Dec 18, 2023 | Conservation Corner
It is an age-old question; how many trees are there? In recent years some have asked, Are there more trees on earth than stars in the Milky Way? NASA estimates that the Milky Way has approximately 100 billion stars. So let’s see how trees stack up. In the United...
by Steve Kircher | Dec 11, 2023 | Conservation Corner, Invasive Species
Our neighbors to the East in Michigan have reported an outbreak of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. These insects are considered invasive because they are not native to the state and can cause significant harm to Michigan’s estimated 170 million hemlock trees. As they feed,...
by Steve Kircher | Dec 4, 2023 | Conservation Corner, Invasive Species
In previous articles, I talked about the Japanese beetle, an exotic invasive that is eating gardens across the Northwoods. Of course, there are many more exotic invasive plants and animals in Wisconsin including the Eurasian Watermilfoil, Common Buckthorn, Garlic...
by Steve Kircher | Nov 27, 2023 | Conservation Corner
Oak trees are not only majestic additions to landscapes but also play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity. However, these iconic trees face a significant threat known as oak wilt, a deadly disease caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum. Once infected, the...
by Steve Kircher | Nov 20, 2023 | Conservation Corner
I recently read an article in Field Notes, newsletter of the Southwest Wisconsin CWD, Deer and Predator Study. In the article, researchers continue to look for ways that CWD spreads through a population. Dr. Inzalaco, at UW-Madison realized that one of the most common...
