by Greg Schmitz | Jan 15, 2026 | Conservation Corner
When winter arrives, the world above ground slows down. Trees stand bare, fields lie dormant, and snow blankets the landscape. But beneath that frozen surface, the soil is far from lifeless. In fact, winter sets in motion a series of physical, chemical, and biological...
by Greg Schmitz | Jan 12, 2026 | Conservation Corner
Every winter, Wisconsin’s roads transform into icy ribbons that challenge drivers and road crews alike. The go-to solution for decades has been road salt because its simple, effective, and cheap. But beneath its convenience lies a growing environmental cost. WI Salt...
by Greg Schmitz | Jan 7, 2026 | Conservation Corner, News
UPDATE: 12/30/25 Forest County Snowmobile Trails SNOWMOBILE TRAILS: Open The trails are in good conditions but as always watch your speed and stay to the right. Clubs have all been out grooming and removing branches that may have fallen with the recent...
by Greg Schmitz | Dec 30, 2025 | News
After back-to-back low snow years, things are looking up this year. Snow is on the ground, snowmobilers were hitting the trails before Christmas, and ice is building on the lakes. Need some help finding things to do during the snowy months? We’ve got some ideas. Take...
by Greg Schmitz | Dec 27, 2025 | Conservation Corner
For half a century, Lake Tides has been more than just a newsletter—it has been a bridge between science, policy, and the people who love Wisconsin’s lakes. Published by the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point’s Extension Lakes program, this quarterly publication...
by Greg Schmitz | Dec 19, 2025 | Conservation Corner
Clean drinking water is something most of us take for granted, until a test result raises questions we don’t know how to answer. For the nearly one million Wisconsin residents who rely on private wells, understanding water quality reports can be confusing, technical,...
