Upcoming Workshop: Oak in the Driftless
Landowners love their oaks. Majestic, sturdy, long-lived, bountiful, valuable, oak trees are admired for many reasons. What other single tree species in the Driftless means…
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Restoring Fire, Restoring Function
“I didn’t even know that 200-year-old burr oak was there,” said Matt Millen, Sauk County landowner. Presence of fire-tolerant oaks with sprawling branches testify to…
Attract the Right Bird, Build the Right House.
Winter is coming to an end, which means the return of migratory birds is not far away. As thousands of birds make their way back…
Opossum, Raccoon and Skunk, Oh My!
Do you know the track marks of the animals on your land? Take our quiz to find out. Each year, after the midwinter blizzards, there…
Keeping Track: Frequently Asked Questions About Phenology
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…
The Story of One Family’s Forest
For as much as everyone’s woodland is different, the values and the lessons learned are often similar. One Family’s Forest follows a family and the land…
Fall invasive control methods
As native trees and plants approach dormancy and lose their leaves, now is a great time to be in the woods tackling invasive species which…
Meet the Winkleplecks: Comfort – Connection – Commitment
“Logan loves playing in the stream. It’s great. For hours he’ll capture tadpoles and other critters,” beams Chad, Logan’s Dad. Chad Winklepleck is living proof…
A Man with a Plan: Dan Fischer
Dan Fischer intended for years to become a more active steward of his 20-acre woodland in northern Richland County. But like many landowners, he found…
Women Woodland Owners Gather
By: Anastasia Wolf-Flasch. WWOA Volunteer Coordinator Walking through the woodlands. Impressions of boots in the mud remain. Leaves crunch, twigs break. The dog follows through…
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…
What is the Forestry Mill Tax?
Ever heard of the forestry mill tax? Probably not, but if you’re a property owner in Wisconsin, this tax is collected with other property taxes…
The Kerns Family – A Simple Start
In 1986, Jim and Jody Kerns were newly married, in their 20’s, and looking to invest some savings. On the advice of Jody’s dad, they…
There’s a New Invasive in Town
By: Ben Johnston, Kickapoo Valley Reserve In late November 2016, I met with Julie Borodin in Crawford County to learn about her experience with a…
Building Bat Houses Builds a Better Life for Bats
Putting up bat houses this summer can help bats that survived white-nose syndrome raise their young, according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Biologists.…
Quiz: When Can Someone Claim Your Property? Adverse Possession Defined
Everyone probably has a book on their shelf that is not actually theirs. Picked-up along the way and the rightful owner long forgotten. It’s now…
The Importance of Surveying Your Land – Rick and Susan Case’s Cautionary Tale
“Our neighbor surveyed a line and that’s when we realized half of our new barn was on their property,” stated Rick. “We assumed that land…
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…
Buckthorn Baggie Kills Buckthorn without Chemicals
Cutting invasive buckthorn can be a terrific land stewardship project for the winter or early spring. With leaves off the trees and bushes, buckthorn is…
Quiz: Hairy Versus Downy Woodpeckers?
You’ve likely spied a couple of different woodpeckers visiting your feeder this winter. But can you tell the species apart? The colors and patterning of…
Can You Tell Native From Invasive Brush?
Cutting invasive brush, like buckthorn, is great winter work — no heat, humidity, bugs, or other vegetation to get in your way. Great, except for…
How Do Small Birds Survive a Long Winter?
By Stan Temple Ever wonder how the black-capped chickadee and other small birds survive a long winter? Small birds are at a particular disadvantage during…
Prune Trees in Winter to Prevent Oak Wilt
Wintertime is a good time for tree pruning, when temperatures are cold, according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources tree health experts. Prune trees in…
Are You One of 2016’s Action Heroes?
Tell us about a land care action you took in 2016 and receive a free wildlife phenology calendar You purchased your land to care for…
Three Times Lucky: The Driftless Region
By Steve Swenson If and when the next glacier comes to Wisconsin, the smart bet is a move to the Driftless Region. While many are…
Oak Workshop: Oak in Southwest WI Faces Two Key Challenges
When landowners see big oak trees, maybe accompanied by some oak seedlings on the ground, it’s natural to assume that the oak in their woods…
Quiz: Who Will Share the Cost of My Forest Plan?
Generally, the most effective way to achieve a goal is to make a plan first, and forest stewardship goals are no exception. The forest planning process helps…
Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas Releases Latest Findings
Wisconsin’s volunteer-based, five-year survey to understand which birds nest here and how bird populations are changing released its second season of findings at the end…
My Wisconsin Woods has a New Website!
We’ve been quiet lately – but for good reason. With great excitement, we present the new My Wisconsin Woods website. It was designed for you –…
Quiz: Am I Liable if Someone Gets Hurt on My Land?
Landowners frequently want to know, “Am I liable for damages if someone gets hurt on my property?” It may not surprise you to learn that…
How Big Is Rural Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s population at the time of the 2010 census was around 5.6 million people. It will come as no surprise that most people (and Wisconsin’s…
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…