Record Year for Conservation in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has experienced a record year for work to sustain rare prairies and oak savannas; an 85 percent reduction in rare turtles killed at one deadly roadway crossing; nearly 1,000 newly restored acres of habitat for Karner blue butterflies; and the first peregrine falcon nest in Door County since the 1950s. These are just a few of the gains for Wisconsin’s rare wildlife and State Natural Areas through work by state conservation biologists, partners, volunteers and donors.

Their stories are told in the colorful, photo-packed Natural Heritage Conservation Program 2017 Annual Report. The program, or NHC for short, is the Department of Natural Resources’ unit responsible for protecting, managing and restoring rare animals and hundreds of State Natural Areas that are the best remaining examples of prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, forests and unique geological and archaeological sites. Volunteers can choose from dozens of citizen science projects to help collect valuable information about the location, number and trends of native species. There are also many opportunities to lend a hand on State Natural Areas, including some of Wisconsin’s most unique areas, by cutting brush, pulling invasive plants, and collecting seeds and other work.

Thousands of donors provide critical financial support; their donations to the Endangered Resources Fund are matched dollar for dollar and account for up to 25 percent of the funding needed for NHC’s work with rare species and State Natural Areas. People can make tax-deductible donations online or by mail directly, or through their state income tax form. They also can buy an Endangered Resources license plate that includes a $25 annual donation to the Endangered Resources Fund.