Mornin' to everyone interested in the lore of Wisconsin lake monsters. 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:

• Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads 🚗 

• Free lighthouse 🌊 

• Turtles vs cars 🐢 

New National Estuarine Research Reserve Proposed

Personal anecdote here: As a kid, I never thought twice about our Great Lakes. They were simply “lakes.”

It wasn’t until I moved away and returned to visit my family that I realized how great they truly were.

The Great Lakes Basin provides 20% of the world’s freshwater. Nearly 10% of the US population lives in this area. They support billions of lifeforms—humans and otherwise—as well as the fishing and tourist industries, uplifting communities everywhere.

Now, our very own Lake Michigan is queued up to receive well-deserved recognition (and protection).

Let’s dive in

• 36,000 acres of the Bay of Green Bay proposed to be a National Estuarine Research Reserve

• Only three other states have two Research Reserves (FL, NC, and CA)

• The Bay of Green Bay is the largest freshwater estuary on Earth

What da heck is an estuary

Estuaries are a highly dynamic, distinctly unique ecosystems typically found where inland waters reach the sea.

There are two types: Saltwater and freshwater.

Driven by the tides, saltwater estuaries typically mix ocean water with freshwater from rivers, creating a brackish ecosystem.

In the case of the Great Lakes, freshwater estuaries are storm-driven; they mix river and stream water with lake water.

The mixing of these waters creates a special ecosystem for aquatic life, as well as help “turn over the lake” (see Theromicline Wiscampsin Weekly for more info).

From an ecological standpoint, they are invaluable research studies, which leads into the…

National Estuarine Research Reserve program

Established in 1972, the NERR program was established to protect and study (you guessed it), estuarine systems. Different from the NERD program I unofficially championed in high school…

So far, 30 coastal sites have been designated. Funding for NERR is provided by NOAA, which also provides technical support and guidance.

Daily maintenance of sites falls to state agencies or universities, with help from local partners.

So far, only three states have two NERRs within their borders: California, North Carolina, and Florida.

If passed, the proposal for the Green Bay estuary’s adoption would be Wisconsin’s second reserve area (first being the Lake Superior reserve, selected in 2010).

The Green Bay estuary:

• Three areas, covering almost 38,000 acres of land and water

• Drains one-third of the Lake Michigan basin

• Largest freshwater estuary on earth

• Designation process led by UW-Green Bay

• Goal: To be the most “technology advanced” NERR in the system

• Includes a visitor center with hands-on and place-based education and research opportunities (as well as boats, dorms, conference area, etc)

• Timeline: Spring 2025

How to get out ‘der

Why does it matter if the Bay of Green Bay is given NERR status?

Simply put, as the largest freshwater estuary, it’s pretty dang important to know what is going on out there so we can better conserve this natural resource.

As Brian Glesnzinski, manager of conservation programs for Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes Initiative, said:

“Some of the things that we gain from the other reserves around the country will not only inform what's happening in Green Bay, but also really be able to tell us what's different about Green Bay and what we need to focus on.”

We’ll keep you updated on this ~developing~ story, but in the meantime, check out NERR, map of the Green Bay estuary, and NOAA’s explanation of estuaries.

Now forward this email to friend, and get out ‘der!

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Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Folks, last week Trips Ideas/Itineraries won as the most desired topic with 32% of votes. Expect more from us there!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🌊 Free lighthouse, anyone?: The Federal government is once again offering up the Lake Superior lighthouse for free to nonprofits, government agencies or educational groups. Lit for the first time in 1913, the 56-foot steel and cement structure has guided countless of mariners from the perils of the lake to shore. “You’re getting it for free to preserve it, and the idea is the public must still have a chance to enjoy the light” — GSA Realty Specialist Kris Mendez, per WPR. Honey, should we get it for the garden?

🪳 Do not harvest the cicadas!: Hey you, spit that cicada out! The DNR, after getting multiple reports of people harvesting cicadas from Big Foot Beach State Park in Walworth County, would like to remind people it is illegal to remove any wildlife from state park properties. But they taste sooo good! If you see someone doing it, kindly remind them of this, or check out the DNR page to report it.

🐢 Watch out for… turtles? It’s nesting season for turtles, which means they will be arming themselves with ninja weaponry and fighting off bad guys. Wait, that’s the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles… Females will be crossing roads occasionally to lay eggs in upland areas. If you see one and can safely move it out of harm’s way, please do so (lest they get hit by a car).

Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Take us with you! We’ll bring the cheese…