Beckie Gaskill

Recent Stories

Wetland management plays an important role in waterfowl management and regulations

At this year’s Wisconsin Wetland Science Conference, there were several talks related to wetlands and waterfowl. One of those was presented by Taylor Finger, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) game bird ecologist. Waterfowl and migratory birds, he said, are federally regulated by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Save the Chain campaign rallies to raise $250,000 by July 5

The battle for the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes is one, and the enemy if an unfortunately all-too-familiar one: Eurasian Watermilfoil (EWM). EWM has made its way into many Northwoods lakes, and many of those lakes, too, are fighting back against this common enemy. Now it is the Manitowish Waters Chain’s turn to take on that fight.

Clean Boats Clean Waters helps keep lakes healthy

The Clean Boats Clean Waters Program has become almost synonymous with summer in the Northwoods. While there are some paid water craft inspectors in this program, by far the majority of the hours spent at launch ramps are volunteer hours.

Plastic rain?

In years past, there was a great concern about acid rain. Those fears have largely been put to rest. Now it seems as though plastic could be replacing that threat with something new. A June 2020 study, published in Science stated that no place is safe from plastic pollution.

Fish Like a GIRL

World Water Day is a construct of the United Nations, with this year’s focus being glacier preservation in the face of climate change. But I think it is a great time to also focus on our waters in Wisconsin, and right here in the Northwoods. Readers will see I have decided to dedicate this week’s Outdoors section to water-related things.

Lakes and Rivers Convention kicks off next week

Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Conference kicks off next week. The convention includes workshops, plenary sessions, and concurrent sessions that run over the course of three days at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point.

Beaver provide valuable wetland ecological services

Beavers were favorite targets of trappers long before settlers and colonists came to what is now known as Wisconsin, and indeed America. By the mid-1700s Europeans had all but wiped out beavers in North America.

Studies look at effects of ProCellaCOR

ProCellaCOR, (active ingredient florpyrauxifen-benzyl) is an aquatic herbicide used in managing invasive and nuisance macrophyte species such as Eurasian water milfoil (EWM). It was registered for use in 2018 and has become what many feel is a safer alternative to the 2,4-D formulations that had previously been shown to have a negative affect on unintended species.

Invertebrates can be indicator of stream health

In a recent Water Action Volunteers (WAV) Winter Water Talks presentation, Dr. Jessica Orlofske, associate professor of biological sciences at UW-Parkside spoke about invertebrates and how they can inform ecosystem health. She said invertebrates are capable of telling the story of their stream or the habitat in which they are found.

Wisconsin Conservation Congress sends spring hearings questions to Natural Resources Board

Each year the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) partner for the spring hearings. The spring hearings are held in person in each county in the state at 7 p.m. on the second Monday in April. This year, that will be April 14. These hearings are unique to Wisconsin and offer the public a chance to give their input on possible regulation changes regarding the state’s natural resources.