Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Tichigan Lake Boat Access Closed For Improvements August 3-14

Next Phase For DNR Cleanup Of Portage Canal To Start By Fall 2020

Carnivorous Plant Last Seen 40 Years Ago Among Finds by Rare Plant Detectives

Rare Plant Monitoring Program Makes Record-Setting Discoveries

EPA Approves Site-Specific Phosphorus Criteria For Multiple Wisconsin Lakes

WILL Drops Lawsuit After DNR Resumes In-Person Hunter Education

DNR reverses course after WILL lawsuit

DNR Assisting With Cleanup Of Manure Spill Near Pulaski

DNR Hunter Safety Classes Resume July 13

Social Distancing, In-Class Limits And Room Setup Among New Safety Protocols

Bear Hunting Application Period For 2021 Season Opens July 1

Forest Regeneration Project Scheduled For Havenwoods State Forest

UWM Freshwater Sciences dean Val Klump named to Great Lakes Advisory Board

WILL Sues DNR For Illegally Canceling In-Person Hunter Safety Courses

State agency cancels all in-person courses citing COVID-19

DHS Announces COVID-19 Population Health Studies

Two studies will help public health experts understand the virus and inform public

EPA Administrator Wheeler awards first-ever Trash Free Waters grant for the Great Lakes in Milwaukee

Agency selects Harbor District, Inc. to receive grant to keep trash out of Lake Michigan

Johnson Continues Push for Delist Gray Wolf Amendment

National Dam Safety Awareness Day Is May 31

Wisconsin State Parks To Adjust Operations

State Parks To Lengthen Hours, Reopen Select Restrooms And Extend Campground Closures

PFAS Found In Sediment and Surface Water At Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern

PFAS Are Highest In The Kinnickinnic River

Anglers called to prevent the spread of New Zealand mudsnail, protect Wisconsin’s waters

Extreme Fire Danger For Sunday, May 3

Red Flag Warning In 12 Central Wisconsin Counties

Looking For A New Career?

DNR Now Hiring State Conservation Wardens

Governor Evers Signs Emergency Order Relating to Suspending Rules for DNR-Certified Operators

200-Acre Wildfire In Juneau County

Second Fire In Town of Armenia

DNR Supports Groundwater Awareness Week With Focus On Sustainability

14 DNR Wardens Honored For Lifesaving, Valor And Meritorious Service Acts

Governor Evers announces $40.5 million in harbor grants

Funds cover port construction and maintenance projects

Gov. Evers Announces $29 Million Harbor Grant to Port of Marinette in Support of Future Ship Building

Gov. Evers Announces $4.9 Million Harbor Grant to Support Wisconsin Agricultural Exports

DNR, OCI Urge Wisconsinites To Consider Flood Insurance After Record Rain And Snow In 2019

DNR, EPA Sign Agreement to Proceed on Milwaukee Estuary Cleanup to Eliminate 32-Year-Old Area of Concern Designation

Great Lakes Legacy Act Agreement Accelerates Contaminated Sediment Cleanup in Milwaukee

Democrats Introduce “Raising the Bar on Clean Water” Legislative Package

The package consists of five bills which repeal a multitude of regressive Republican water policies.

Shilling/Billings Water Pollution Notification Act Receives Public Hearing

New Season of Wisconsin Foodie Debuts New Host Chef Luke Zahm

New Episodes of Wisconsin Foodie Air Thursdays on Public Television Starting January 16

DNR Issues Wastewater Discharge Permit for City of Waukesha Water Diversion Project

DNR Announces New Chief Conservation Warden

Statement of Bevan K. Baker

Statement provided to media on December 23rd, 2019

Newest Public Land Atlas Now Available

DNR Completes Final Environmental Impact Statement on the Proposed Waukesha Great Lakes Water Diversion

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Approves DNR Scope Statement for Manure Regulations Aimed at Protecting Drinking Water

Approval of the scope statement allows the department to develop detailed rules that require final approval from the Legislature.

Gov. Evers Hosts 2019 Capitol Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony with DNR Sec. Cole and Wisconsin Students

“The best part about the holiday season at the Capitol is that it is a collaborative effort of folks all over our state that makes this season such a success.”

Milwaukee Riverkeeper annual report on river health shows drop from 2017 to 2018

Historic rainfall levels in 2018, land-use practices, failing infrastructure and other human activities, in both urban and rural parts of the Milwaukee River Basin, ultimately led to the decline in grade (C- to D).

Washburn County Hunting Incident Shooter Identified

The investigation is ongoing.

DNR Seeks Public’s Help in Washburn County Hunting Incident

Four Incidents Reported During Opening Weekend of Gun Deer Season

Deer Hunting License Sales On Par with 2018

Two areas have already exceeded last year's sales totals for the entire season.

Teamwork strikes again in major illegal deer harvest case

"This is a case of two people who are not hunters by any stretch of the imagination, and determined to steal wildlife from the public - wildlife observers and those who are ethical and law-abiding hunters."

Jennifer Sereno Joins WHEDA as Public Affairs Program Manager

Her experience includes marketing and public affairs campaign development, digital media strategy, issue management and brand advancement.

Wisconsin Collects More Than 30 Tons of Unused Medications During Drug Take Back Day; Ranks Second in Nation

Statewide 280 law enforcement agencies hosted Drug Take Back events and collected disposed drugs from 476 permanent drug disposal boxes at law enforcement agencies across the state.

Wisconsin Natural Resources Board Taking More Steps to Protect Drinking Water

PFAS Rulemaking Process Moves Forward

Gov. Evers Endorses Water Quality Recommendations from DNR, DATCP, DHS

“Folks should be able to trust the water coming from their tap”

Community Members Demand that Public Service Commission Deny We Energies’ Rate Increase, We Energies Shut Down Oak Creek Plant

Ratepayers Angered Over Utility’s Continued Use of Expensive, Dirty Coal Plant

EPA Proposes Updates to Rules Impacting Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

DNR to Review Proposed Updates to Lead and Copper Rule

U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on PFAS Chemicals Detected in Wisconsin Surface Waters

"The dangerous levels of PFAS recently detected in Wisconsin surface waters are alarming and warrant serious action."

DNR’s First Round of Sampling Shows PFAS Contamination at Surface Water Monitoring Locations in Wisconsin

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products, such as non-stick cookware, fast food wrappers, stain-resistant sprays and firefighting foam.

DNR Reaffirms Commitment to Addressing Impacts of Climate Change on Wisconsin’s Natural Resources During Climate Week

"Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time."

Majority of Wisconsin Public Water Systems Met Safe Drinking Water Standards in 2018; Challenges Still Exist

Some contaminants continue to present challenges, including nitrate, arsenic, and lead.

DNR to Implement Mandatory CWD Sampling and In-Person Registration for Six Townships in West Central Wisconsin During Nine-Day Gun Deer Season

CWD is a contagious neurological disease of deer, elk and moose that is caused by an abnormal protein called a prion.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #40 Relating to PFAS in Wisconsin

Executive Order #40 directs the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to take additional steps to address PFAS contamination.

Wisconsin Women in Government Announces 2019-2020 Board of Directors and Leadership Team

Gov. Evers Requests Federal Disaster Aid for July’s Severe Storms

"Damage assessments by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM) verified more than $19.5 million in eligible damages."

DNR hosts hearing to discuss wetland and water permits related to water diversion project

The hearing will also cover the DNR's Environmental Impact Statement on the overall diversion project.

City of Waukesha proposed water diversion public hearing

Waukesha is applying for wetland and waterway permits to construct a water supply system to divert water from Lake Michigan and a return system.

DNR taking more steps to protect Wisconsin drinking water

The DNR will ask 125 municipal wastewater treatment facilities to begin sampling and analyzing water flowing in and out of the facilities for PFAS compounds.

DNR Secretary Appoints Beth Bier To Deputy Secretary

Beth began her career at the DNR in 2001 in the Secretary's Office.

Gov. Evers Appoints William H. Smith to Natural Resources Board

DNR Secretary announces leadership change

Tim Cooke, current deputy division administrator, will assume the administrator role.

A breath of fresh air: DNR celebrates Clean Air Month as Wisconsin’s air quality continues to improve

Clean Air Month is held annually each May.

Supervisor Logsdon Opposes Increased Mercury Pollution in Wisconsin Waterways

"I'm opposed to WE Energies request for a variance to dump more than three times the safe limit of mercury into our water..."

Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail to Unveil Two Sculptures on May 4

Sculptures a powerful reminder of history and the workers of the Milwaukee Road

Drug Take Back Day is April 27

"Through proper disposal, we can prevent prescription drugs from being diverted—and help prevent addiction."

Reps. Kind, Sensenbrenner Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Manage and Prevent the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin

The Chronic Wasting Disease Management Act will support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies and support research regarding the causes of chronic wasting disease.

Over 30 Organizations Call on DNR to Stop We Energies’ Mercury Variance

Momentum to Oppose Water Permit As Written is Growing

DNR Secretary Cole announces additional appointments to leadership team

Todd Ambs has been named DNR Assistant Deputy Secretary.

DSPS Secretary-Designee Crim Announces Leadership Team Appointments

Crim said she would announce additional appointments as they are made.

DNR Secretary Cole makes first appointments to leadership team

Cole said he would announce additional appointments as they are made.

WisDOT announces more than $7 million in harbor grants

Funds cover safety, construction and dredging projects

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Agriculture, Energy, and Natural Resources Policy Advisory Council

"We’re going to bring science back to decision-making in Wisconsin."

Governor Walker Requests Federal Disaster Aid for 18 Wisconsin Counties Following Severe Storms and Flooding in August and September

"It is essential that the federal government provide needed assistance."

Sturgeon Fest set for Sept. 29 at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee

The family-oriented event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features the opportunity for participants to sponsor and hand release one of the young sturgeon into the Milwaukee Harbor.

County Exploring Options to Relocate South Shore Beach

For years, South Shore Beach has been plagued by water quality problems that lead to frequent beach closures.

Snapshot Day on August 18th is a Statewide Water Monitoring Event

Volunteers needed to search for invasive species!

Governor Walker Administration Awards More Than $26 Million for Lead Service Line Replacement in 42 Wisconsin Communities

"The health and well-being of our citizens is a top priority."

Storm Update – June 18 & 19, 2018

This is the first tunnel related overflow since September of 2016.

Diversion of Great Lakes Water for Foxconn Challenged

Integrity of the Great Lakes Compact at Risk

2017 Milwaukee Water Works Consumer Confidence Report

The report provides evidence that Milwaukee’s drinking water quality is clean and safe and meets all U.S. EPA and Wisconsin DNR regulations.

Statement on legal win for wetlands

"This is a significant victory for the people of Wisconsin, our pristine wetlands, and the integrity of our environmental laws."

Racine Diversion Request Raises Serious Questions; Compact Coalition Urges Regional Review

The purpose of the diversion is to provide Great Lakes water to Foxconn Technology Group, a private, large multinational electronics manufacturer, for its first U.S. manufacturing plant.

Humboldt Park Lagoon Restoration Nets Sweet Water Funding

HPF cleared cattails and other invasive plants from two sections of shoreline in autumn 2016 and 2017.

DNR asks public for input on draft Wisconsin River Basin Total Maximum Daily Load study to improve water quality

Once finalized, the TMDL plan is sent to EPA for their review and approval.

Wisconsin State Director of Strategic Economic Initiatives, Matthew Moroney to speak on the FOXCONN Development at AGC Corporate Dinner

The FOXCONN development project is expected to be the largest single economic development project in Wisconsin history.

New Zealand Mudsnails Invading Southern Wisconsin, Anglers are Likely Culprit

It is essential that wading anglers and other stream users prevent the spread of mudsnails and other invasive species.

Governor Walker Announces New Water Technology Partnerships

The Water Council signs two agreements to increase collaboration during trade mission

$2.3 Million in Grants for Estabrook Dam Removal

NEW Analysis Shows Project Would Take 50+ Homes Out of Floodplain

Governor Walker Announces DNR Forestry Headquarters Move to Rhinelander

The Chief State Forester will move to the DNR-owned facility north of Highway 29 by January 1, 2018.

League of Women Voters Presents a Public Program on Wisconsin’s Changing Environmental Laws & Regulations on November 11

This free public program will be held at the Shorewood Village Center, 3920 N. Murray Ave.

Sturgeon Fest set for Sept. 30 at Lakeshore Park in Milwaukee

The festival is free for all ages; a donation of $10 is appreciated for sponsoring a sturgeon.

Matt Moroney Named Strategic Economic Initiatives Director

Wisconn Valley Special Session bill creates new project position at DOA focusing on economic development

In Multi-Agency Effort, Wisconsin Sends Resources to Hurricane Harvey

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims as they recover from this devastating storm."

Governor Walker Statement on DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp

"Cathy is a strong, trusted reformer who will serve the country well at the EPA."

Open house set to initiate amendment process to Kohler-Andrae State Park Master Plan

Kohler is proposing to construct a new roadway with a roundabout that would provide access to the park and to the golf course.

Governor Walker Signs 20 Bills Into Law

Acts 37 - 56

Governor Walker Declares a State of Emergency for 17 Wisconsin Counties

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding."