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- National Mississippi River Day is born
National Mississippi River Day is born
PLUS Wake surf lawsuit, illegal elk killing, and protecting pollinators
Forrest Koslowski
June 05, 2025
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Mornin’ to everyone willing to help out in the Great Wisconsin Bat Count. 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 surf lawsuit shakes up small town in WI
🦋 Bipartisan support for Pollinator Protection Package
👂 DNR looking for tips on illegal elk killing
🛶 STORY OF THE WEEK: National Mississippi River Day is born
🚤 Wake surf lawsuit shakes up small town in WI LINK
Wake boat owners are suing the Town of Scott in northern Wisconsin, arguing that its ban on wake surfing is unconstitutional and unlawfully restricts recreational use of Birch Island Lake.
The town passed the ordinance over concerns about shoreline erosion, invasive species, and lake health, while plaintiffs claim the ban is overly broad and unsupported by specific environmental findings.
With over 50 Wisconsin communities now regulating wake surfing in the absence of statewide rules, this lawsuit could set a precedent for local versus state control of water recreation policies.
🦋 Bipartisan support for Pollinator Protection Package LINK
Wisconsin lawmakers are buzzing with bipartisan support for the Pollinator Protection Package—seven bills aimed at protecting the state’s 400+ struggling pollinator species through smarter pesticide rules and more native plantings.
The package proposes giving local governments more control over pesticide use, cracking down on misleading plant labels, and planting native flora like milkweed and coneflower across state lands.
Lawmakers also hope to raise awareness with a Pollinator Awareness Month, “Protect Pollinators” license plates, and a symbolic nod to the endangered rusty patched bumblebee as Wisconsin’s official native insect.
👂 DNR looking for tips on illegal elk killing LINK
The Wisconsin DNR is still seeking tips on the illegal shooting of a GPS-collared bull elk in Jackson County—one of the few remaining elk from the state’s 2016 Kentucky reintroduction.
The bull was a key breeder for Wisconsin’s Central Elk Herd, making its loss a major setback for conservation efforts.
A $5,500 reward is being offered for information leading to prosecution, with calls directed to the DNR’s tip line at 1-800-847-9367.
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🛶 STORY OF THE WEEK: National Mississippi River Day is born
Grab your paddles, fishing poles, and waders—June 2 is officially National Mississippi River Day after Governor Tony Evers’ latest proclamation, and Wisconsin is all in. To read the rest of the story, sign up for the Wiscampsin Membership.
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WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL
66% of voters in last weeks poll said they’ve seen the Northern Lights on Wisconsin soil - Geeez!
Lake Mendota has the longest history of freezing and thawing dates of any lake in the U.S (Since 1852!). This year, the lake had ice cover for 64 days. What is the longest duration of ice cover recorded?Give it a gut check. Click an answer below |
MEME OF THE WEEK
A review from the trail… You are welcome, anonymous reader!
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