WI outdoors breaks record (again)

Plus: Peregrine falcons (again), American Martens, and Devil's Lake State Park

Author

Forrest Koslowski
March 12, 2026

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Mornin’ to everyone stoked about this local teacher who’s on a mission to catch 1,000 fish (he taught Wiscampsin co-founder Forrest back in the day). 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:

🦅 Peregrine falcons return to WI electrical box nest

🔬 Researching American Martens in Wisconsin

🌲 Stewardship program in flux at Devil’s Lake State Park

🏆 STORY OF THE WEEK: Outdoor economy adds record-breaking $12B to WI GDP

🦅 Peregrine falcons return to WI electrical box nest LINK

  • Love is in the air (literally)—peregrine falcons have officially returned to their high-rise nesting boxes at Wisconsin power plants to kick off the 2026 breeding season.

  • These "urban cliffs" aren't just for show; thanks to these nesting programs, the peregrine population has soared from zero in the 1960s to over 40 pairs statewide last year. Talk about a glow-up!

  • Want to get a bird's-eye view of the drama? You can follow along via live "FalconCams" to watch the eggs hatch and the chicks grow up from the comfort of your couch.

🔬Researching American Martens in Wisconsin LINK

  • Meet the American marten: Wisconsin’s only state-endangered mammal and arguably the cutest member of the weasel family. Researchers are currently deep in the Northwoods, using radio collars to figure out why these forest-dwellers are struggling to bounce back.

  • It turns out these little guys are extremely picky roommates—they need massive, old-growth forests with plenty of "coarse woody debris" (aka fallen logs) to hide from predators. As our forests change, scientists are tracking exactly which neighborhoods the martens are snubbing.

  • The goal? To see if these "woodland acrobats" can actually survive outside of protected areas. By following their every move, the DNR hopes to create a roadmap that helps the marten population finally level up from "endangered" to "thriving."

🌲 Stewardship program in flux at Devil’s Lake State Park LINK

  • Devil’s Lake State Park was this close to getting a major 70-acre expansion, but the deal is currently stuck in "political limbo" thanks to a standoff between the DNR and state lawmakers.

  • At the heart of the drama is the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program, which uses taxpayer dollars to buy land for public use. While the DNR wants to protect this bluff-top property from development, some legislators are hitting the "pause" button over concerns about taking land off the tax rolls.

  • If the deal falls through, this prime piece of real estate could end up as private housing instead of hiking trails—leaving outdoor enthusiasts crossing their fingers that both sides can play nice before the clock runs out.

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🏆 STORY OF THE WEEK: Outdoor economy adds record-breaking $12B to WI GDP LINK

If you spent last year shivering in a deer stand, paddling the Namekagon, or simply getting lost in the produce aisle of a Northwoods gas station, give yourself a pat on the back—you helped fuel a record-breaking year for our outdoor economy.

According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry grew by a whopping 3.8% from last year. We’re talking a record-shattering $12 billion contributed to the state’s GDP.

So what’s driving the growth? While "traditional" sports like hunting and fishing are still the backbone of our Northwoods identity, the real MVPs lately have been the "all-season" adventurers. RVing, site-seeing, and trail-based activities (looking at you, hikers and bikers!) are seeing massive spikes. It turns out that after a few years of being cooped up, Wisconsinites have decided that "office fluorescent" is out and "forest green" is very much in.

But it’s not just about the gear we buy; it’s about the lives it supports. The outdoor sector now accounts for over 94,000 jobs across the state. From the guide who showed you where the muskies were biting to the person renting out kayaks in Door County, the "Great Outdoors" is officially Wisconsin’s favorite employer.

The best part? This isn't just a flash in the pan. Government officials are noting that outdoor recreation is growing faster than the overall economy. It’s proof that our woods, waters, and trails aren't just pretty to look at—they are essential to our state's survival.

So the next time someone tells you that you’re "spending too much time outside," just tell them you’re doing your part for the state’s GDP.

Now get out 'der.

WISCAMPSIN WEEKLY POLL

Last Week's Trivia Check

We asked which native Wisconsin plant can generate its own heat to melt through the snow. You guys really know your swamp flora—60% of you nailed this one!

The Correct Answer: Skunk Cabbage.

The Takeaway: Skunk Cabbage is one of the few plants in the world capable of "thermogenesis" (creating its own heat). It uses a rapid metabolic process to heat its flower up to 70°F, melting the surrounding ice and broadcasting its pungent, rotting-meat scent to attract the very first emerging flies and stoneflies of the spring for pollination.

This Week's Trivia

As the temperatures finally start creeping above freezing, the woods are waking up. While most animals survived the winter by migrating, hibernating deep underground, or staying active, one incredible Wisconsin amphibian took the most extreme survival route possible. Right now, it is literally thawing out to begin its spring breeding season in temporary woodland ponds.

Which native Wisconsin amphibian survives the winter by completely freezing solid—stopping its heart, brain activity, and breathing for months at a time?

Give it a gut check and click a response below:

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