In partnership with

Mornin' to everyone dumbfounded over the kayaker who probably faked his own death (musta been scared of the in-laws coming for Thanksgiving)! 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.

What’s that, a new format!? That’s right - we’re looking to deliver WI outdoor news to your brain as efficiently and entertainingly as possible. Let us know in the reviews how you like it!

This week’s weekly:

🐦 Reviving the extinct passenger pigeon in WI

🎿 Two northwoods cross-country ski areas nominated for USA Today’s Top 10

🦇 Bats affected by White Nose Syndrome show signs of comeback

🥾 Story of the week: New trail to connect three WI state parks

Reviving the extinct passenger pigeon in WI—LINK

• Researchers aim to revive the extinct passenger pigeon by using DNA editing and studying Wisconsin's trees to assess the bird's past role in forest ecosystems.

• Flocks of passenger pigeons once created forest disturbances essential for biodiversity, helping regeneration through branch-breaking and fertilization with guano.

• Led by scientist Ben Novak, the project could see reintroduced passenger pigeons by the 2030s, with gradual rewilding efforts similar to past conservation successes for peregrine falcons and whooping cranes.

WI Cross-country ski areas nominated for USA Today’s Top 10—LINK

• Minocqua Winter Park and ABR Trails are competing again for a spot on USA Today's top 10 Nordic ski resorts in North America.

• Last year, Minocqua Winter Park won first place, while ABR Trails took third, a boost that lifted ABR’s owner during a challenging time.

• Voting for the competition is open until Monday, with winners set to be announced on November 20. Find voting links in the story (click LINK above)!

Bats affected by White Nose Syndrome show signs of comeback —LINK

• Wisconsin’s bat populations show signs of recovery from White Nose Syndrome, with population growth observed at key hibernation sites over the past three years.

• Researchers suggest that surviving bats may be adapting by choosing hibernation sites with conditions that reduce fungal growth, aiding their survival despite the disease.

• Conservation efforts encourage leaving hibernation sites undisturbed and providing alternative habitats, such as bat boxes, as natural roosting sites decline.

STORY OF THE WEEK: New trail to connect 3 WI state parks —LINK

Don your hiking boots! 

A new trail is taking shape in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, aiming to eventually span 50 miles and connect Tower Hill, Blue Mound, and Governor Dodge State Parks.

Led by the Driftless Area Land Conservancy, this (somewhat ambitious) project relies heavily on cooperation with private landowners, as over 97 percent of the Driftless Area is privately owned.

“Finding enough landowners in alignment…is a bit of a leap of faith,” said Barb Barzen, community conservation specialist for the conservancy.

To encourage participation, the conservancy has worked with the DNR to offer funding and support for landowners interested in conservation easements.

One notable partner is the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, which has dedicated sections of Taliesin’s grounds to the trail.

“This land really inspired Frank Lloyd Wright. All of his ideas about architecture actually come from…where this trail is,” shared Emily Butler of the foundation, highlighting the cultural significance of the area.

So far, about 7 miles have been completed, with unconnected segments scattered throughout the region.

The conservancy anticipates a 20-year timeline to fully realize the Driftless Trail, an effort that has already protected 470 acres of land and fostered a renewed sense of community stewardship.

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

Please support Wiscampsin and click on our sponsors!

All your news. None of the bias.

Be the smartest person in the room by reading 1440! Dive into 1440, where 3.5 million readers find their daily, fact-based news fix. We navigate through 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive roundup from every corner of the internet – politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a quick, 5-minute newsletter. It's completely free and devoid of bias or political influence, ensuring you get the facts straight.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Oh, by the way, that poll we conducted about the number of cougar sightings in Wisconsin during 2023? 42% of you guessed 12, but there were actually 29 verified cougar sightings! We should note that cougars are likely to be sighted multiple times, so this does not mean there were 29 individual cougars.

Meme of the Week 😂

A review from the trail… Don’t worry, we didn’t forget about you (Kevin was on his honeymoon, and Forrest was in Yosemite Valley)