Wisconsin's Air Quality

Mornin' to everyone that helped find that missing 8-year-old boy in the Porcupine Mountains. This is the Wiscampsin Weekly - the email that fills you in on the Wisconsin outdoors in 5 minutes or less. New reader? Subscribe here.

*Hey der neighbor. If you find yourself digging the Wiscampsin Weekly, consider sharing it with a friend, your Mom, your bartender, etc… See our referral program below!

What we're breathing this week:

• Wisconsin’s air quality 💨 

• Rails to trails 🚴‍♀️

• Fish consumption advisory ✋ 

Wisconsin Celebrates Clean Air Month

Ah, Wisconsin air. Breathe it in, folks.

If you’ve ever been on a hike outside of the state and wondered “Huh, breathing a little heavier out here. Maybe I need to lay off the bratwurst,” it might have been poor air quality afflicting your cheese-lovin’ lungs.

‘Cause here in Wisco, we have pretty great air quality, especially compared to our past.

Wisconsin's air quality

• Ranks 13th in the nation (roughly, depending on source)

• Has improved on a whole lungful of stats over the past 20 years

• Still has some work to do in certain areas

From “Oh no” to O2

Not to get all Grandpa Mike on you folks, but back in the day the skies weren’t always so blue, literally, in Wisconsin.

But in combination between DNR efforts, alongside the famous Clean Air Act, Wisconsin has seen a 88% decrease in sulfur dioxide concentrations, 35% decrease in fine particle pollution, and a 25% decrease in ozone concentrations along the state’s Lake Michigan shoreline.

The Clean Air Act, arguably one of the best federal laws passed of all time, got the ball rolling on a whole slew of state and federal laws regulating air pollutant emissions.

Six criteria have dropped nearly 75% since its passing more than 50 years ago:

• particulate matter

• sulfur dioxide

• nitrogen oxides

• volatile organic compounds

• carbon monoxide

• lead

The road ahead

While we all are breathing better on our hikes, bikes, and kayaks, there’s still some work to be done.

The DNR put together an interactive map that displays which stats are decreasing and which have plateaued (or even increased).

But with continued efforts by all of you good folks, we’ll continue to boast some of the finest air across the country!

(no wonder the FIBs keep crossing our border!)

There ya have it folks! Now get out der!

🖼 WI State Bird: American Robin Artwork!

When it came to our childhood art projects, mom always said: Keep your day job.

And criminy was she right. That's why we brought aboard a local 'Scon, Kayley Hackett, to design our latest piece of Wiscampsin merch - the State Bird print!

Picture this hanging above your bed, your tool shelf, your toilet... anywhere really, it's that darn pretty.

For every purchase, 20% will be donated to The Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to promote the enjoyment, study, and conservation of Wisconsin’s birds.

• 3 Options: 5" x 7", 8" x 10", and 11" x 14"

• 100lb. Matte Cardstock

• Ships in a Rigid Envelope

• Made in the USA

• Printed in Janesville, WI

• Artist: Kayley Hackett

Wiscampsin Weekly Poll

Well folks even though Cod may be the most popular on the Fish Fry menu across Wisconsin, Perch tied it in the poll for your favorite fish (followed by our good friend the Walleye in 3rd).

NEW: Wisconsin Events

Butt glued to the couch? Here are some great Wisconsin events to get you out 'der:

26th Annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival - This weekend-long event provides family-friendly activities and educational experiences designed to showcase Horicon Marsh’s role as an important habitat for birds and wildlife.

Location: Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center at N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI

Date & Time: Friday, May 12 - Sunday, May 14, 2023, All day

OUTWIGO GREEN - From group hikes, bike rides, paddling, rock climbing, nature crafts and more, this day of fun is fit for OutWiGo-Getters of all ages, experience levels and abilities. Adults 18 and older are $5. Free admission for anyone under 18. Food trucks will be on-site.

Location: Ottawa Lake Recreation Area - Kettle Moraine State Forest

Date & Time: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

MOTHER’S DAY PRAIRIE FLOWER HIKE - Mothers, aunts and grandmothers are welcome to enjoy this beautiful hike while learning about our wonderful prairies and moms in the natural world.

Location: Lakeshore State Park - Meet at the north entrance right in front of Discovery World.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 14, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Know a WI Outdoors-related event happening? Reply to this email with the details and we will share the week before the event!

Nuts and Seeds 🌰 

🚂 Wisconsin Rails to Trails: Remember our edition on biking Wisconsin’s Rails to Trails? WPR just wrote up a nice little piece on the history of our railroads, and how these old tracks that once connected the state (and country) are being converted into bike trails. Give it a spin! 

🐟 Fish consumption advisory: Is there any fish we can safely eat? (If you know, please email us…) The DNR just put out a consumption advisory for rainbow smelt from the Bay of Green Bay and its tributaries. High levels of PFAS were detected (forever chemicals), and no amount of tartar sauce will fix it.

🎣 Inland fishing now open: Some fishing good news, inland fishing is now open as of May 6th! Go load up your freezer on panfish, walleye, perch, hell, even catfish if that’s your taste. Remember to buy a fishin’ license!

Meme of the Week 😂 

A review from the Trail... We’re still daydreaming of Potato Pancakes…