June Is Invasive Species Action Month

There’s Plenty You Can Do To Help Stop The Spread

Help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species when boating or fishing.

Hitting the water for boating or fishing soon? Remember that June is Invasive Species Action Month, and you can pitch in against aquatic invasive species. Here are a few things to keep in mind to help stop the spread:

Inspect your boat, trailer and equipment.
Remove any attached aquatic plants or animals before launching a boat, after loading and before transporting on a public highway.
Drain all water from boats, motors and all equipment.
Never move live fish away from a waterbody.
Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
Purchase any minnows from a Wisconsin bait dealer. Note that anglers may take leftover minnows away from any state water and use them again on that same body of water. Leftover minnows may be used on other waters only if no lake or river water or other fish were added to the container.

You can help stop the spread even if you’re not a boater or angler:

Volunteer as part of the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.
Become a Clean Boats, Clean Waters volunteer.
Do not purchase invasive plants or animals that are restricted or prohibited in Wisconsin.
Never transplant aquarium plants into lakes, streams, wetlands or stormwater ponds.
Never release live crayfish, fish or other animals into lakes and streams.
Properly dispose of unwanted plants and animals.

Summer Issue Coming Soon

The next edition of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine arrives in mid-June, and there’s plenty in the latest issue to help you enjoy another summer in Wisconsin. You’ll find informative stories on fisheries science, e-cycling, air quality, climate change adaptation efforts, grasslands and wetlands, plus fun pieces on butterflies, outdoor pet places, Wisconsin water trails and more.

Check out the digital edition available online soon at wnrmag.com or look for the print issue hitting mailboxes after June 12. Subscribe online now or call 1-800-678-9472 to sign up, renew or give a gift subscription to family and friends today.

_{Cover Photo Credit: Baxter Communications}

Celebrate Wild Turtle Week

Wild Turtle Week is June 10-14 this year, the height of turtle nesting season. Be sure to look out for turtles as they emerge from wetlands, lakes and rivers to find suitable places to lay eggs. Many female turtles are run over by vehicles during this period, late May through June, and turtle nests experience high levels of predation by raccoons, skunks, coyotes and other animals. Some turtles only produce a few eggs each year, and others don’t reproduce until they reach 12-20 years old, presenting additional challenges. But there are many ways you can pitch in to help Wisconsin’s 11 turtle species:

Drive with caution near wetlands, lakes and rivers. Slow down, reduce distractions and be alert for turtle crossings.
Report turtle observations, road crossings and nest sites using the DNR’s Turtle Reporting Form to aid management efforts of conservation biologists.
Report suspicious illegal activity associated with turtles to the DNR Violation Hotline online or at 1-800-847-9367.
Learn about turtles and ways you can help protect them on the DNR’s Wisconsin Turtle Conservation Program webpage.
Build a turtle nest cage to guard eggs and hatchlings on your property; get step-by-step instructions from the Turtle Conservation Program or check out this YouTube video guide.

_{Ornate box turtle hatchling. / Photo Credit: Rori Paloski/Wisconsin DNR}

Let’s OutWiGo Together!

With summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to enjoy the great outdoors. The DNR’s OutWiGo initiative encourages everyone to get out and be active as a way to improve health and wellness – and Wisconsin State Parks are a wonderful place to start! With dozens of state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas to explore, there’s something for all ages and abilities. Get OutWiGo this summer and see why Wisconsin state parks host more than 20 million visits every year!

_{Hiking at Lake Kegonsa State Park. / Photo Credit: Rachel Hershberger/Travel Wisconsin}

June Is Invasive Species Action Month