Endangered Resources
The Endangered Resources Program is celebrating 25 years of conservation successes in 2008, working to conserve Wisconsin's biodiversity for present and future generations. Our goals are to identify, protect and manage native plants, animals and natural communities from the very common to critically endangered. We work with others to promote knowledge, appreciation and stewardship of Wisconsin's native species and ecosystems.
Bird Banding & Natural Resource Foundation Tour
It was a busy day at the Waupaca Field Station on Saturday, May 10. Forty participants signed up to be part of a Natural Resources Foundation field trip to learn more about neotropical bird migration and get hands-on experience with songbirds while helping bird banders with their work. The field trip also focused on barrens restoration being done at the field station. "Property owners Bob Welch and Debra Martin and their assistants did an excellent job banding birds while educating the group about the value of banding birds" stated Mark Martin, co-leader and conservation biologist with the Endangered Resources Program. Field trippers spent part of their day banding birds, and part of their day exploring the barrens restorations with Mark Martin. "Everyone enjoyed releasing the birds after the banding process was completed. It was important to make the connection between the habitat found on the property and kinds and numbers of birds that were banded that day", Martin went on to say. The nets were busy all day and were finally closed at 5:00 P.M. with birds waiting their turn to be processed.
Endangered Species Day - May 16th!
There are currently several endangered and threatenened species in Wisconsin. Take the time out this year to enjoy Endangered Species Day at one of Wisconsin's wonderful National Wildlife Refuges. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (exit DNR) is home to Karner blue butterflies, whooping cranes, wolves, eagles, and the list goes on. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (exit DNR) is renowned for its abundance of wildlife. Both refuges offer great outdoor recreation opportunities for you to celebrate our recent successes in Wisconsin:
• Delisting of Gray Wolves
• Delisting of Bald Eagles
• Whooping Crane Reintroduction
International Migratory Bird Day - May 10th!
Migratory birds travel long distances between breeding and non-breeding sites, often resting and sometimes nesting along the way. The International Migratory Bird Day on Saturday, May 10 will focus on the birds that make these fantastic journeys, the habitats on which they depend, and the people who are important to a successful journey. Read More... [PDF 62KB]
Milton Cougar - Same as Chicago Cougar
On January 18, 2008, a trapper was investigating some large tracks in an old barn, when he spooked a cougar from the second floor. The cougar cut one of its toes as it jumped out of the barn. A drop of blood left behind in one of its foot prints allowed the DNR to determine from DNA that the cougar was a male, of North American origin, and most likely from South Dakota. This was the first confirmed wild cougar in Wisconsin in 100 years. Read More...
Wisconsin Wildife Action Plan Conservation Priority Setting Process Results
In 2005, Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan was accepted by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as our state's blueprint for conserving our fish and wildlife 'Species of Greatest Conservation Need' and their habitats. The plan laid out over 1,700 conservation actions that would help secure the future of these species. Read More...
Announcing the 2008-2009 Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Program Funding
Since 2004, the DNR’s Citizen-based Monitoring Partnership Program has provided funds for 64 projects that have brought together volunteers, organizations and department staff on inventory, planning, restoration and other resource management projects statewide. Up to $100,000 is available for the 2009 state fiscal year funding period. For more information and to access application materials please visit the Citizen-based Monitoring Network website.
American Marten Inclusion in the NHI Portal
Data on the state endangered American Marten has been collected and entered into the Natural Heritage Database, a database of rare species locations. For the first time, DNR staff statewide can access an up-to-date geographic distribution map for this animal. Distribution data are based on snow track and hair snare surveys and live-trapping studies within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF). A fact sheet on the American Marten was developed to guide DNR staff when making decisions about possible impacts of an action or project on the animal and is available for download. For more information on what work is being done to strengthen the marten population in Wisconsin, please read our recent DNR news article.
Donate to the Wisconsin Endangered Resources Fund!
We are happy to announce the release of the Endangered Resources Online Donation Center! The options by which individuals can make a donation to the Endgangered Resources Fund have now been expanded to include the ability to donate with a credit card or eCheck.
A Closer Look at Whooping Cranes
The Wisconsin DNR and Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership presents: A Closer Look at Whooping Cranes: Whooping Crane Education in Wisconsin and Eastern North America. The program offers whooping crane and wetland-based activities specifically designed to meet Wisconsin Academic Standards. It is a supplement to our whooping crane education trunks and an activity guide to Educators. More...
Biotic Inventory Reports Now Online
A biotic inventory is one of several sources of information used when developing a state forest master plan. These reports provide baseline information on rare species, high-quality natural communities, significant aquatic features, and the overall ecology for several of our state forests. Read More...
John Muir Park Workday
A group of hearty volunteers, park property neighbors, DNR employees, and Sierra Club members met at John Muir Park in Marquette County for their annual winter work day. The park benefits from the labor of these individuals, as they work to restore the boyhood home of Wisconsin naturalist, founder of the Sierra Club and our national parks, John Muir. Work that day centered on opening the oak savanna areas by removing invasive tree species.
Work Parties at State Natural Areas
Wintertime is the perfect time to do invasive species removal to improve a site for endangered and threatened species who call our State Natural Areas home. This winter, DNR staff, property boundary neighbors, and volunteers did land improvement work at Abraham’s Woods SNA in Green County, and Lawrence Prairie SNA in Rock County. The Endangered Resources Program conducts many such work parties each winter.
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