By Dr. Stanley Temple, Beers-Bascom Professor Emeritus in Conservation, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Senior Fellow, Aldo Leopold Foundation “Keeping records enhances the pleasure of the...
Archive for category: Ask the Expert

It Takes a Village to Care for Land
“This is a family recreational property, but it is highly degraded. It’s for the benefit of wildlife and we want to witness it, but before...

Ask the Expert: Should I Seek Forest Certification?
Nearly everyone and everything – from tax accountants to organic produce – can be certified, and the same is true of family forest owners. Certification...

Three Friends You Must Have
“It’s not what you know that counts, but who you know.” – Author unknown Imagine a race to solve an everyday rural problem, in which...

Three Reasons to Take Another Look at The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
CRP rental rates per acre have increased CRP rental rates have been adjusted to be more competitive with cash rental rates. For 2016, CRP rental...

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Gets a Makeover
”CRP is new and improved. We have more reasons than ever for landowners to consider this great conservation program.” Brandon Soldner, Statewide CRP Program Specialist,...

The “Love Oak” Paradox
Interest in the Oak Workshop last month in Richland Center validated a long-held belief – landowners love their oaks. And for good reason: oaks are...

Bold Moves, Oak, and Deer – Nice Deer
“I can’t believe you destroyed your woods.” Rick’s neighbor just couldn’t contain his opinion. Recalling the exchange about the harvest, Rick’s shallow smile belied the...

Understand Trail Slope: Don’t Be A Water Quality Dope
It’s raining marbles! Well, not exactly, but the image will help you appreciate proper trail slopes. Yes, slopes, plural. Every trail on your property has...

Three Critical Traits of Trails
Get started with trail planning by thinking about these 3 things first! Purpose: How will the trail be used? Who will be using it? Is...