Wisconsin State of the State Report

1

Wisconsin State of the State Report

June 5, 2014

Cathy Stepp, Secretary

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

101 S. Webster Street

P.O. Box 7921

Madison, WI 53707-7921

Significant Accomplishments

Wisconsin Bat Program: The WI Bat Program uses a comprehensive approach to address lack of knowledge for bats. The Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau’s dedicated team conducts statewide projects to investigate status, trends and current threats, and monitor bat population health. The goal is to prevent extinction, monitor bat health, status, and trends, while implementing adaptive management actions to sustain or recover one of Wisconsin’s greatest natural resources for the benefit of future generations.The WI Bat Program conducted state wide surveillance for the disease, White-nose syndrome (WNS) in 2013-2014 and found the first confirmed case of WNS and the causative fungus, Psuedogymnoascusdestructans, in abat hibernaculum in Southwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Bat Program continues to work with partners (U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center, the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Research Center and Eastern Regional office, and researchers at the University of Wisconsin – Madison) to advance our understanding of the disease and work toward developing effective control management strategies.During the summer of 2013, statewide date collection continued by utilizing nearly 1,000 volunteers in two citizen-based monitoring projects: Acoustic and Bat Roost monitoring projects. These projects have vastly increased the Department’s knowledge of all bat species in Wisconsin.

Northern long-eared bat listing: The Wisconsin DNR continues to monitor bat hibernacula, support landowners in their efforts to protect cave bat species and to participate in White-nose syndrome related research. Wisconsin supports the federal listing from a biological perspective, and the species has been listed as Threatened at the state level in Wisconsin for several years. Wisconsin also has been working closely with other states to provide input regarding guidance for this species and plans to lead an effort to coordinate other states in the northern long-eared bat range. The goal is to develop guidance that can protect the remaining population while allowing for sustainable forestry and other land management to activities which can be beneficial to cave bat habitat. The department is currently carrying out research to better define northern long-eared bat maternity roost habitat.

Citizen Based Monitoring (CBM) Program: The Wisconsin DNR’s CBM Program is rounding out its tenth year of support and development of citizen (volunteer) programs. The goal of the CBM initiative is to facilitate the expansion of public involvement in terrestrial and aquatic natural resource monitoring and conservation. DNR provides direct financial and technical support to new or evolving projects and offers continuity to a growing network by facilitating communication and information exchange between organizations, disciplines, projects and individuals. Since initiation in 2004, the popular CBM Partnership Program fund has supported 1998 high priority natural resource monitoring projects statewide; most of which are directed entirely by external organizations. This provides a significant cost savings to the State of Wisconsin since partners normally exceeds a 3:1 match in non-state cash and donated time. Last year 21 citizen-based monitoring projects received seed funds. Projects occurred throughout the state and monitored a wide range of topics including invasive species, bumble bees, water quality, rare plants, birds, fish, flying squirrels and Northwoods lake levels. The Citizen-based Monitoring Program and partners manage a directory of over 150 CBM projects and organizations called the “Who's Who of Citizen-based Monitoring,” a website and YouTube channel full of training resources, and a Facebook page to facilitate communication among members of the CBM community.

Wisconsin Stopover Initiative: Coordinated by WDNR, The Wisconsin Stopover Initiative is a multi-partner project working together to protect, conserve, and enhance the “stopover” habitats used by birds migrating through the Great Lakes. In 2013, the project focused on educational programs and outreach to raise awareness of migratory birds and stopover habitat. Last year 150 private landowners attended Grosbeaks Galore, Birds On Your Landscape Workshopa workshop on how to use native plants in their yards to provide cover and food for migratory birds during migration. Due to overwhelming demand and a resulting waiting list, this workshop will be held again in fall 2014. In early 2014, Landscaping for Migratory Birds: A Workshop for Professionals was attended by 52 people representing a diversity of agencies, organizations, and businesses. The workshop was designed to inform professional land managers and natural resource educators on the importance of protecting, creating, and enhancing migratory bird stopover habitat in the Lake Superior basin. The Initiative continued to distribute the popular handbook,Managing Habitats for Migrating Land Birds in Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan Basin: A Guide to Landscaping and Land Management. This guide has been distributed at conferences, trainings, nature centers, and will be featured at several International Migratory Bird Day celebrations along the Lake Michigan shore in May. More information on the Wisconsin Stopover Initiative may be found at

State Natural Areas Property Management: – There are 673 designated state natural areas encompassing over 373,000 acres of property in Wisconsin. A major focus on these properties is the restoration of native community habitats and control of invasive plant species. This program occurs across the state to improve habitat conditions for game and non-game wildlife species and is a major objective for implementation of Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan. Program accomplishments included completing over 3,200 acres of controlled burns to restore oak, oak savannah, and native grass communities; more than 6,000 acres of invasive plant species control; and over 2,450 acres of woody vegetation control. Other activities related to state natural area management included the acquisition of 3,400 acres of high quality prairie, fen, forest, coastal plain marsh and boreal wetland communities. Data on rare animals, plants and ecological communities are collected through numerous inventory and monitoring projects by Wisconsin DNR staff, as well as, through the administration of 90 research permits provided to scientists from various institutions.

Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership - 2014 marks the 13th year in the effort to reintroduce a flock of migratory whooping cranes into the eastern US. The Whooping Crane Eastern Partnership (WCEP) is a state, federal, and private partnership. WCEP partners have released over 200 birds since the beginning of the program. In 2013, releases took place on state managed property for only the third time in the history of the project. This cohort of ultra-light birds began their migration south on schedule and eventually arrived and wintered in Florida. In 2014, a pair set up a nesting territory for the first time in eastern Wisconsin at the Grand River Wildlife Area. Another set of whooping cranes will again be raised at White River Marsh State Wildlife Area in 2014.

Walleye Initiative - The Wisconsin Walleye Initiative (WWI) was developed by the Department of Natural Resources and the Governor’s office to increase the number of walleyes in state walleye waters by expanding production of large fingerling walleye at state, private and tribal fish hatcheries for stocking in waters accessible to the public. This historic investment in Wisconsin’s walleye fishery will benefit all users and Wisconsin’s angling related economy.

Master Planning – In the past year, a master plan for the Lower Wolf River Bottoms Natural Resource Area has been completed, and plans for the Green Bay West Shore Wildlife Area and Northern Kettle Moraine Planning Group are almost done

Bilingual Youth Fishing Outreach -Implemented bilingual summer youth fishing outreach programs at five sites. The face of the typical Wisconsin angler is changing. While the fisheries program continues to work closely with traditional customers, immigration trends in the state over the last 20 years

has resulted in a wave of new anglers and potential anglers all interested in fishing and enjoying the recreational as well as fish-to-eat opportunities with the state’s diverse fisheries. This special effort works with youth and their parents through a “summer school” scenario to get bilingual kids introduced to fishing and actually out there fishing.

Successful Sturgeon Restoration on the Wolf River- Fisheries staff in Oshkosh have been working with the Menominee Tribe since 2011 through a 10 year MOU between the Tribe and the Department to restore spawning lake sturgeon to the section of Wolf River that flows through the Reservation. DNR and Tribal crews capturing and transferring adult sturgeon from the lower Wolf River and transferring them by truck upstream past two dams have restored successfully spawning lake sturgeon on the below Keshena Falls on the Reservation in 2013, the 1st known documented successful sturgeon spawning restoration using capture and transfer techniques in the sturgeon world.

Record Fish -Eastern District waters continue to produce some of the best fishing opportunities in the Midwest; and maybe in the entire nation. In fact, Sturgeon Bay was named Bassmaster’s number one Bass Lake in the nation for 2014. At a large bass fishing tournament headquartered in Sturgeon Bay, an angler caught a smallmouth bass that weighed8.45 pounds, just nine ounces short of the State record (see photo) in Marinette, while fishing Green Bay from the public breakwall, an angler landed a 57-inch Great Lakes spotted musky. Although spawned-out and therefore low in weight, this fish still weighed over 40 pounds. This same fish in fall would have been at least a 50-pounder.

Fish Propagation - Fisheries staff raised and stocked over 7.6 million fish. Wisconsin’s fisheries program completed a thorough study of its state hatchery facilities andsystem, which provided the information needed to do the long-term planning for the facility upgrades and technology improvements required to maintain high levels of

production of quality fish for stocking and maintenance of important

fisheries in the state.

Fisheries Monitoring - Fisheries staff sampled almost 900 lakes, rivers and stream sites to assess fish population, habitat health and angler harvest. Managed fisheries in

15,000 lakes and 44,000 miles of streams. Wisconsin is entering its second decade of

standardized monitoring of fish populations and habitat in its lakes, rivers, and streams. The upgraded and standardized monitoring system, along with a state-of-the-art database management system, has allowed Wisconsin’s fisheries biologists and administrators to examine important statewide as well as local trends in fish

population dynamics and harvest, providing in turn key insight needed for effective regulation development and long term planning.

Warmwater Habitat Improvement - Fisheries worked with the Bureau of Watershed Management to create a newgeneral permit (GP) to encourage more lake woody cover habitat improvements – projects also known as “fish sticks. The new GP will reduce costs and streamline the permit process for conservation groups and local stakeholders who want to improve the fishing on their lakes by creating more shoreline spawning and nursery areas for fish.

Western District Trout Habitat Projects Funding - Western District Coldwater Habitat Enhancement Specialists have been very busy in calendar year 2013 restoring trout streams. To date, 15 projects totaling over 4.5 miles of stream thread have been completed with that many or more planned for 2014. The cost: over $689,000, with more than 70% coming from outside partners. The Western District has five teams that are located in Black River Falls (2), Eau Claire, LaCrosse and Wisconsin Rapids.

The Western District is host to many coldwater streams that are in need of habitat work. “It is imperative that funds from outside sources be acquired to complete numerous projects in our area of the state,” said Bob Hujik, Western District Fisheries Supervisor. All projects were completed with a combination of funds that include: Wisconsin Trout Stamp, local sportsman clubs, Trout Unlimited Chapters as well as National TU, Izaak Walton League, county land conservation departments and various federal programs (NRCS, WHP, USFWS). The Western District receives a portion of the state’s trout stamp allocation, approximately $234,000 annually, to conduct such work. Habitat Specialists, including, biologists, technicians and heavy equipment operators have been instrumental in obtaining over $488,000 of outside funding as well as easements and fee title land for the current year projects.

Volunteers from local sportsman clubs, Trout Unlimited, Wisconsin Industrial Sand, local schools, NRCS and county land conservation departments have put in countless hours with the habitat teams to help bring the projects to completion. Fish Team Supervisor Justine Hasz said, “None of these projects would have been completed without the dedicated effort of volunteers and Department staff. It’s great to see everyone working together.”

Projects range in cost from $1,700 on 1,000 feet of Tomorrow River (Portage County), which required little bank shaping and the use of habitat structures to $137,640 on 2,600 feet of the Trimbelle River (Pierce County), which required major bank restructuring, tree removal and 7,300 tons of rock to fortify the stream banks and reduce erosion. Partners provided roughly 80% of the funding for the project.

A project on Ft McCoy was funded entirely by a USFWS grant ($113,000). Crews removed 2 concrete dams, several 6 foot culverts and approximately 10 concrete weirs, which opened approximately 5 miles of coldwater stream to trout movement. Additionally, crews used over 700 cubic yards of rock and sloped bankson 1000 feet stream. Habitat structures (LUNKERS), rock grade control structures and plunge pools were constructed to provide various habitats for the trout.

Trout Habitat and Fishery Management - Improved and maintained habitat on 76 trout streams. Wisconsin’s trout habitat program has been in a leadership position in this field for most of the last 60 years. The program has evolved over time and is currently focusing on less intensive, more natural like methods to improve in-stream habitat for specific trout species and life stages. Conducted a comprehensive public review of the inland trout program and regulations.

Wisconsin’s current suite of trout regulations, which manages streams by regulation class or type attempting to focus on a balance between the stream productive capability and the angler desires, was developed and implemented in the

early 1990s. The WI fisheries program initiated an effort in 2012 to work with trout anglers across the state to conduct a thorough review of the trout management objectives and regulations, their effectiveness over the last 20 years, and make

recommendation on what direction we should go into the next 20 years. A new regulation package is being developed jointly by trout anglers and biologists that will be submitted for review in 2014.

2014 Year-Class of New Wildlife Biologists – A new class of 18 Wildlife Biologists is on board, filling long-standing vacancies. Due to previous budget constraints Wisconsin had been unable to hire new wildlife biologist since 2008. District Wildlife Supervisors and the Bureau Deputy Director are working with their staff to provide quality, hands-on training. These outstanding young men and women represent the future of the program during the next several decades. They’re stationed in field positions throughout the state.

Wildlife Rehabilitation and Captive Wildlife Policies - An existing Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Committee was revised into a Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Council. The new council has expanded membership to include a more equal distribution of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in the state, and other wildlife rehabilitation and captive wildlife professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, UW System, Wisconsin Conservation Congress, Wisconsin Wildlife Rehabilitation Association, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, and the captive wildlife and captive cervid industries. The council is advisory to the Department of Natural Resources on wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife health, and captive wildlife topics.

In late 2013, discussions began on a Keep Wildlife Wild educational campaign to begin in spring of 2014 and continue into 2015. Outreach efforts include print documents such as keys to determine if an animal is truly orphaned, magazine articles, and press releases; radio PSA’s and videos, appearances on statewide news channels, and creating educational materials to be used in classroom curriculum.

Lead Action Plan - The WDNR created an outreach/public education program that illustrates the negative impact of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on wildlife and the environment and will help reduce the amount of lead discharged into the environment.We have developed a Lead Action Plan that outlines objectives with associated action items to reduce the amount of lead in the environment in present day as well as both short and long-term future.

We also developed a Wingshooting for Migratory Bird Hunters (WFMBH) program which is closely based on the CONSEP (Cooperative North American Shotgunning Education Program) program. This program provides an outdoor skills educational opportunity for experienced shooters to refine their wing shooting skills and build upon the fundamentals of wing shooting for migratory and upland game birds. Participants are trained to improve their shooting proficiency, to better estimate distance to target, and how to select the proper ammunition and shotgun chokes.

In 2013, the WDNR recruited and trained partner groups whom in turn provided wing shooting workshops for their constituents. Through this partnership, we will help Wisconsin bird hunters become more efficient in harvesting game and ultimately reduce the numbers of wounded or lost game.