| Photo Credit: iStock/Dendron
This Clean Air Month and Air Quality Awareness Week, we’re celebrating how far our air has come! 95% of Wisconsin citizens live in areas that meet federal air quality standards. Due to regulatory actions as well as voluntary initiatives, many more Wisconsinites are breathing fresh, clean air every day.
Clean air is important to everyone. Poor air quality can affect people of all ages, especially those sensitive to air pollution, including people with asthma or heart conditions, people who work and exercise outdoors, and older adults and children.
The DNR works closely with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), research and scientific organizations, businesses and non-profits to reduce air emissions and improve air quality across the state. Reducing emissions from things like vehicles and electric generation utilities play a large role in improving air quality.
Stay Up-To-Date
We offer a variety of ways to stay up-to-date on the current air quality. You can download the free WisconsinAQM mobile app to receive air quality updates from anywhere using your mobile device. The app includes an interactive map of near real-time data from the state’s air monitoring network, individual monitoring station reports, weather information and more. Download in the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
| Wisconsin Wildfire Report: Stay Alert This Weekend And Check Burning Restrictions
Rain has lessened fire danger in southern Wisconsin, but northern Wisconsin – particularly the northwest – is expected to remain under elevated fire danger for the near future.
Fire danger changes rapidly and the DNR will suspend burning permits periodically based on conditions. If you are considering any outdoor burning (other than a small campfire), keep these safety tips in mind:
- Obtain the necessary DNR burning permit or check with local fire officials.
- Check burning restrictions each day before lighting a fire. Restrictions are updated each day at 11 a.m.
- Clear an area around the debris pile or barrel and make sure a hose is attached to a working spigot.
- Remain present for the entire duration of your burn.
- Make sure fires are out before leaving, wet down the area and check routinely for hot coals.
- Be aware that you can be held responsible for the cost of fire suppression and any damages resulting from an escaped fire.
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| Exciting Updates At Peninsula State Park
Visitors to Peninsula State Park in 2021 will be in for a treat with property upgrades, new facilities and infrastructure, plus the reopening of popular property amenities.
In the last year, Peninsula State Park has gone through a major transformation by upgrading facilities and infrastructure across the park including:
- New shower restroom facility in the South Nicolet campground
- Restroom upgrades at South Nicolet and Weborg Point campgrounds
- 11 new vault toilet restrooms
- Construction of a new sanitary station (dump/fill station)
- New restroom facility at Northern Sky Theater
- Nature Center addition (will remain closed until facilities reopen to the public)
- Resurfacing of 400 campsites
- Campsite upgrades including new grills and fire rings
- 23 campsites upgraded to electrical service
- New drinking fountains added throughout the campgrounds
In addition to the new facilities, some favorite amenities are set to open for the season with protocols in place to ensure the safety of visitors.
- Peninsula State Park Golf Course and clubhouse will open to golfers May 1
- Eagle Bluff Lighthouse will open for tours beginning May 15
- The Nicolet Beach Camp Store will open Memorial Day weekend, May 28
- Northern Sky Theater opens for the season June 14
Work at Peninsula doesn’t stop there. In the next 1-2 years, we’ll be making considerable upgrades to various trails, nature center and property roads.
Due to unforeseen construction delays, the Eagle Tower at Peninsula State Park is not open to the public. The DNR estimates the tower will reopen in the coming weeks. |
| Celebrate International Compost Awareness Week, May 2-8
Spring is a great time to start composting, and it’s something the whole family can help with! Starting a compost pile at home with your food scraps and yard waste has a positive impact on the environment. Not only will you save space in your garbage bin, you’ll save valuable space and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at landfills. Finished compost is great for the garden, too. It greatly increases water retention capabilities of the soil and provides plants with nutrients.
If starting a compost pile isn’t possible at your home, consider going to a community compost site. There are over 250 licensed compost facilities throughout Wisconsin. Most are focused on yard materials such as leaves and brush, but some collect food scraps as well.
Learn more about what can be composted, research which composting method works best for you and access a list of licensed compost sites by visiting the DNR’s Composting in Wisconsin webpage. |
| It’s Fishing Season! Practice Responsible Catch And Release
With fishing season in full swing, please remember to release responsibly. When catch and release fishing, it’s important to reduce the stress on a fish after it has been caught. You can increase a fish’s chances for survival by keeping a few things in mind:
- Land the fish as quickly as possible.
- Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
- Handle the fish as little as possible. Use wet hands or gloves.
- If the fish is deeply hooked, cut the line and let the fish go.
- Treat the fish gently throughout the release.
Never hold the fish upright by the jaw; it can hurt the fish. Instead, support the fish with two hands. By using these tips, fish appear larger in photos and you will also increase its chance of survival after release, allowing you or another angler to catch it again.
For tips on how to release a specific fish species, visit the DNR’s website. |
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