Mornin' to everyone sporting the Wiscampsin Basic Tee right now. 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:

• Wake boat debate revs up 🛥️

• Warmer summers = more mosquitos, disease, per experts 🦟 

• Solar farm threatens greater prairie chicken habitat 🐔 

• Ice Age National Scenic Trail re-route approved ✅ 

• Why some don’t want the Apostle Islands National Park designation ❌ 

Wake boat debate revs up—LINK

As wake surfing becomes more popular, wake boats are creating waves (pun intended) on Wisconsin lakes, leading to increasing concerns about shoreline erosion, safety, and environmental impacts.

GNAR enthusiasts like Mike Scandin and Mark Mapes, co-owners of Surf Sconsin, emphasize responsible usage, such as operating far from shorelines in deep waters.

As Scandin notes, “Anyone can be a jerk in a boat. It’s not the style of boat that causes the problem.”

However, critics argue that the powerful wakes disrupt other lake activities, harm fish habitats, and stir up sediments, leading to environmental damage.

Conservation groups are pushing for stricter regulations, but the debate continues, with no statewide resolution in sight. Maybe stick to the canoe for now…

Warmer summers = more mosquitos, disease, per experts —LINK

Aw jeez.

Wetter, warmer summers are making mosquitoes a bigger nuisance in the Midwest, leading to increased risks of mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus, Zika, and even malaria (which you can’t heal by pressing a little ‘x’ on your skin…).

Daniel Huff, executive director of the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District in Minnesota, warns that “bad mosquito years are only going to become more common as the climate changes.”

The combination of abundant rain and extended warm seasons allows mosquitoes to thrive, posing a growing threat to public health.

With no major mosquito control agency in Wisconsin, residents are urged to eliminate standing water and build habitat for natural predators like birds and bats to help manage the problem.

Solar farm threatens greater prairie chicken habitat—LINK

A proposed 7,100-acre solar farm in Portage County, Wisconsin, is drawing concern from hunters, birdwatchers, and conservationists over its impact on the last stronghold of the greater prairie chicken, a threatened species in the state.

While the Vista Sands Solar project could power 200,000 homes and help meet renewable energy goals, critics are urging the Public Service Commission to scale down the project by 20-30% to protect critical habitat.

“We support renewable energy and solar, but we need to be mindful of localized wildlife impacts,” said Cody Kamrowski of the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

There are only roughly 500 of this bird left in Wisconsin, two-thirds of which in the Buena Vista Wildlife area.

The surrounding public lands in Portage County are home to plenty of game for hunters, like whitetails, wild turkeys, and coyotes. We gotta protect our way to fill ‘da freezer!

Ice Age National Scenic Trail re-route approved—LINK

Hikers, rejoice!

The National Park Service has approved an 18.6-mile re-route of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Rusk County, Wisconsin. This new path will replace the current 22-mile section, which shares portions with motorized vehicles and follows a county highway. Not exactly “hiking,” eh?

The re-route will enhance access to geological features, improve trail sustainability with better water structures, and ensure permanent protection through the Rusk County Forest.

Hikers will now explore natural communities and geological landmarks like the Blue Hills Felsenmeer and Devil’s Elbow.

Roughly 500 of the 1,200 mile Ice Age Scenic Trail are still unmarked “connecting” routes. Looking forward to the day it’s finally completed!

Why some don’t want the Apostle Islands National Park designation—LINK

Be careful what you wish for! U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany has introduced a bill to redesignate the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore as the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve, hoping to boost tourism.

However, local officials and island advocates, such as Bayfield Mayor Ted Dougherty and Erica Peterson, express concerns about the area’s capacity and potential impacts on the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa's treaty rights. Dougherty noted, "We enjoy a very delicate balance in Bayfield," emphasizing that the town, with 500 year-round residents, struggles with housing affordability due to seasonal tourism.

Critics also argue that the redesignation might not significantly increase federal funding or tourism, and they question the transparency of the decision-making process.

Click the link above to get into all the juicy details. Now forward this email to friend, and get out ‘der!

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Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Last weeks poll was a close one! 58% voted that Wisconsin should NOT join the 18 other states in holding a Sandhill Crane Hunt.

Let’s see how this week’s poll fares…

Wiscampsin Job Board

National Forest Specialist - DNR (Statewide) $76,960 to $81,120 annually

Environmental Education Program Coordinator with Outdoor Programs - Madison Schools (Madison, WI) $20/hour

Outdoor Programs Coordinator: Paddling - Madison Schools (Madison, WI) $20/hour

LTE Parks and Recreation Specialist (Badger State Trail - Blue Mounds) Part time/temporary, $15/hour

Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… CRIMINY CRIPES, MORE WIT COMING!