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Mornin’ to the people interested in the rare and stinky flower blooming at the Mitchell Park Domes. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly, the email that gets you in the know on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

This week’s weekly:

🤿 Robot dives to Lake Superior's deepest point

🌳 Land conservation program expires June 30

🦆 Spring duck count comes back strong

🐟 STORY OF THE WEEK: Round Goby Emergency

🤿 Robot dives to Lake Superior's deepest point LINK

• Scientists sent a robot named Kiyi down to Superior Maximus, the deepest spot in Lake Superior at over 1,300 feet, the first time anyone's looked since 1985.

• Down there the pressure runs 40 times what it is at the surface. The robot found deepwater sculpin, tiny mysis crustaceans, and, somehow, a Busch Light can. Classy.

• The crew is also tracking emaciated "zombie" lake trout, whose numbers keep climbing, and they say the health of this spot reflects the whole Great Lakes. A documentary lands in 2028.

🌳 Land conservation program expires June 30 LINK

• The Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program ends June 30 after lawmakers couldn't agree on renewal terms. Since 1989 it's protected roughly 750,000 acres of public land statewide.

• Candidates from both parties now say they'll bring it back, though their records are mixed. Four Democrats voted against budgets that reauthorized it, and Republican Tom Tiffany voted twice to extend the program despite years of criticizing its land purchases.

• Supporters point to the state's outdoor recreation economy and note that around 90% of Wisconsinites live within a mile of land the fund helped conserve. Its future now rests with the next governor and Legislature.

🦆 Spring duck count comes back strong LINK

• The DNR's 2026 spring survey pegged Wisconsin's breeding duck population at 571,460 birds, up 1% from last year and 28% above the long-term average.

• Blue-winged teal jumped 19% and wood ducks are sitting 12% above average. Mallards ticked up 5% but still run a bit under their long-term number, and Canada geese dipped slightly but stayed well above average.

• The count feeds into the continent-wide breeding survey the DNR leans on for management calls. If you're into all this, the Waterfowl Hunters Expo hits Oshkosh August 21-22.

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WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

Last Week's Trivia Check

We asked who was doing all the flying and flashing in your backyard firefly show. You guys nailed the insect dating scene! A solid 55% of you correctly guessed that the guys are doing all the heavy lifting in the air.

The Correct Answer: Only the males.

The Takeaway: That beautiful twinkling light show is actually just an elaborate outdoor singles bar! The males cruise around in the air, flashing their specific pattern to show off. The females sit completely still down in the tall grass, waiting to flash back at a male they want to invite down.

This Week's Trivia

With the Fourth of July right around the corner next week, there is a great chance you’ll spot our national symbol soaring over the lake while you're out on the pontoon. Wisconsin has an incredibly healthy Bald Eagle population, but their iconic name is actually a bit of a historical misunderstanding.

A review from the trail… That’s the goal, neighbor!