Weekly News Published - November 29, 2016 by the Central Office

 

Wisconsin's annual nine-day gun deer hunt sees increase in statewide buck harvest

Contact(s): Kevin Wallenfang, DNR big game ecologist, 608-261-7589; Kimberly Currie, DNR Customer and Outreach Services Bureau, 608-267-7799; Jon King, DNR hunter education specialist, 608-575-2294; Sawyer Briel, DNR communications, 608-282-5334

[EDITOR'S ADVISORY: This news release was issued earlier today to media statewide.]

MADISON - Close to 600,000 deer hunters embraced the excitement of another nine-day gun deer season in Wisconsin, and preliminary numbers show an increase in the buck harvest, especially in the far northern counties. (More.)

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2017 Wisconsin State Park stickers on sale Dec. 1

Contact(s): Paul Holtan, Office of Communications, 608-267-7517 or DNR Customer Service, 1-888-936-7463

MADISON -- People looking for a holiday gift that keeps giving throughout the year can give outdoor enthusiasts access to some of the most scenic areas found in Wisconsin that offer thousands of miles of trails, hundreds of nature hiking opportunities and dozens of beaches, with a 2017 Wisconsin state park admission sticker or state trail pass.

2017 stickers and state trails passes go on sale Dec. 1 at state park facilities and Department of Natural Resources service centers statewide. State park properties will honor 2017 stickers and passes for admission to parks, forests, recreation areas and trails beginning Dec. 1, 2016.

The admission stickers are designed by high school students and the winning design is chosen in a statewide contest.

The winning 2017 admission sticker, with canoers on the water, was designed by Emily Olson, a senior at Cedarburg High School. The winning design will be printed on state park and forest annual vehicle admission stickers and will be displayed on approximately  300,000 vehicles.

The vehicle admission stickers provide access to more than 60 state park, forest and recreation area properties across Wisconsin. The stickers are required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks and recreation areas. Some state forest and trail parking areas also require a sticker.

A state trail pass is required for all people age 16 or older biking, in-line skating, horseback riding or cross-country skiing on certain state trails. A state trail pass is not required for walking or hiking.

Annual admission stickers cost $28 for Wisconsin residents or $38 for nonresidents. If there is more than one vehicle registered to the same household, additional state park stickers are available for $15.50 for residents and $20.50 for nonresidents. A senior citizen annual sticker for $13 is available for Wisconsin residents 65 years of age and older. Annual trail passes are $25 for residents and nonresidents.

In addition to park, forest and trail offices and DNR service centers, stickers and trail passes are available over the phone from the DNR call center. Phone customers can call the DNR at 888-936-7463 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Customers need to order stickers and passes by Monday, Dec. 16 to receive them for the holidays.

The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks also offer online sales of admission stickers and trail passes with a donation to the statewide friends group through the organization's website www.fwsp.org (exit DNR).

For more information search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword "sticker."

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Communities, groups receive grants to promote urban forests in Wisconsin

Contact(s): Alexandria Elias, 608-261-8455, Alexandria.Elias@wisconsin.gov

MADISON -- Thirty-three communities, nonprofit groups, and counties will share $487,578.97 in 2017 state grant dollars to promote and sustain urban forest resources in Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant program funds projects that align with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy and the benefits it provides. The urban forest encompasses trees on both public and private property. Priorities for the 2017 grant cycle include, but were not limited to, projects that increase the ability of local municipal partners to expand their urban forestry program; increase the ability of all local partners to provide ongoing urban forestry funding, services and/or markets; benefit multiple communities; and put existing inventories of urban trees to use.

"Urban forests serve a vital role in our communities, delivering valuable environmental, economic, and social benefits," said Alexandria Elias, Urban Forestry Grants Manager. "Approximately 70 percent of Wisconsin's population lives in an urban area. Beyond aesthetics, urban forests reduce air pollution, mitigate storm water runoff, conserve energy, and increase property values. The 2017 urban forest grants help communities maximize these benefits."

DNR forestry officials encouraged communities to apply for grants to develop emerald ash borer management plans and raise public awareness regarding its impact on ash trees in their community. Increasing species diversity is the best way to reduce the impact of future tree diseases or insect infestations.

The grants range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. A startup grant of up to $5,000 is available for communities that want to start or restart a community forestry program. Out of the 33 2017 Urban Forestry grants awarded, 7 are for startup grants.

To view the list of selected grant recipients [PDF], or for more information about the DNR urban forestry grant program, search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keywords "UF Grant."

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The Weekly News is updated every Tuesday at noon.
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