Beckie Gaskill

Recent Stories

DNR wolf advisory committee holds second meeting

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wolf advisory committee met for the second time this month on Oct. 16. Wolf management is arguably one of the most contentious issues in wildlife management within the state, meaning the group is charged with no small feat.

State forestry leaders talk about why forestry and forest products matter to Wisconsin

Sam Rikkers, chief operating officer for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, on Oct. 20 led a panel of forestry industry experts to talk about opportunities, challenges and all of the facets of the future of forestry in Wisconsin for Forest Products Week on the University of Wisconsin-Steven Point’s campus.

Cutting to the chase

Seeking to close what they called a loophole in Oneida County’s shoreland ordinance, members of the land and water conservation committee voted to prohibit clearcutting and other land-disturbing activities in lakefront access and viewing corridors — citing concerns over erosion, aesthetics and water quality.

Vilas County land and water conservation committee approves grant application resolutions

At last week’s Vilas County land and water conservation committee meeting, the department brought forward several resolutions looking for support for various grant applications to keep department projects and tasks running smoothly for 2026. The committee approved sending all of these resolutions for grant proposals on to the full county board

Wheeler, Daniels make strong comeback to win MLF

Jacob Wheeler and Mark Daniels Jr. staged a dramatic late-day rally to capture the Major League Fishing-Fishing Clash Team Circuit title in Minocqua, overcoming an 11-pound deficit in the final hour.

Pack It In: DNR estimates 1,200 wolves roaming Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released their wolf monitoring report for 2024-2025. That report estimated that there are 1,226 wolves in Wisconsin. It is important to note that these estimates are created when the wolf population is at its lowest point during the year.

Oneida County forestry recreation and land committee looks at Almon Park improvements

The forestry department had brought several Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) to the forestry, recreation and land committee for approval at the August meeting, but there were two for which they wanted to have a more solid idea of the costs involved. Those came back to the Sept. 9 committee meeting and were both regarding work at Almon Park.

A dandy indication

While there are many reasons for declining dandelion populations some have seen this year, some of them could be a cause for concern. Whether this year’s low dandelion crop could be caused simply by unfavorable weather, or something more, is not fully known, but there are other early spring phenomena that could be linked, and are of even bigger concern.

Nokomis pumps brakes on DOT’s proposed U.S. 51 roundabout

The Nokomis town board last Monday approved sending a letter to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) opposing a proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 51, County Highway K and Swamp Lake Road. Russ Berg of the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department said, from the department’s standpoint, it was a safety issue.

Forest History Association of Wisconsin’s Fall Conference heads to Manitowish Waters

Join the Forest History Association at their Fall Conference to celebrate their 50th anniversary as well as the 100th anniversary of the Northern Highland American Legion (NHAL) State Forest on Oct. 3 to 4 at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters.