From The Secretary

Wisconsin’s waters, woods and other wild spaces are calling — it’s summertime in Wisconsin!

Wisconsin summers, with their brevity, almost insist upon us taking some time to recharge, savor this special time with family and friends and simply slow down, even if only for a weekend.

It’s these moments, these pauses in the hustle and bustle of our lives, that allow us to organize our thoughts, reflect on what’s come before and plan what’s ahead.

That’s been very top-of-mind for me lately, as the coming summer will mark six months in my role as DNR secretary — although it certainly hasn’t felt like that long. As they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and while no two days have been alike, each day serving the people of Wisconsin has been an honor, a privilege and a joy.

Over the past months, I’ve traveled throughout the state, meeting with local leaders, state legislators, our tribal partners and other stakeholders, listening and learning at each stop.

I’ve also had the opportunity to meet with many of our outstanding DNR staff, like in February when I visited Havenwoods State Forest for the Winter Break Milwaukee event. I brought my oldest son along, and we learned the history of the state forest, tried fat-tire biking, talked with some of our wardens and even got to pet some sled dogs.

In March, I spoke at the Council on Forestry meeting to discuss the importance of forestry and healthy forests in the state. I also spoke at the Association of Wisconsin Snowmobile Clubs Convention and Annual Meeting to thank our partners, such as the state’s snowmobile clubs and local law enforcement, who help make Wisconsin a premier destination for snowmobiling. I also attended the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting, the Audubon Great Lakes’ advocacy day luncheon and the State of the Tribes Address. It’s been a great learning experience to meet with these partners who hold our natural resources to such importance.

Also in March, I had the honor to represent the agency on a national level at the Environmental Council of the States to connect with other government agencies on environmental protections.

Further into spring, I had the opportunity to visit a few of the state fish hatcheries responsible for the 5.3 million fish stocked in Wisconsin waters last year and meet with the fantastic staff that make it all happen.  I also completed a Learn to Hunt Turkey class in Mauston — I had a great time and would strongly recommend any of our outdoor skills courses to anyone looking to learn a new outdoor hobby or take their skills to the next level.

I made it out to Mead Wildlife Area for a tour with some amazing views and many migrating birds; planted trees in Green Bay with the Oneida Nation and at Governor Nelson State Park for Earth Day; and joined the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to visit a farm in Spring Green that was named the WI Land+Water 2025 Conservation Farm Family of the Year.

Perhaps the highlight of these past few (and busy!) months has been the Governor’s Fishing Opener in Rice Lake. I loved meeting so many passionate anglers and listening to our fisheries experts discuss the many ways they work to improve fishing in Wisconsin, like our new Wisconsin Fishing Finder tool, which puts lake information, fishing regulations, stocking data and more all in one place. I caught a northern pike — after we took the bananas off the boat, of course.

Seize The Sunshine

Here at the DNR, we’re fond of saying there truly is no offseason for outdoor fun in Wisconsin. And while that’s absolutely true, there is unquestionably something special about a Wisconsin summer.

From fishing or swimming in our thousands of miles of rivers and streams and 15,000 lakes to hiking or camping at one of our 50 state parks or 15 state forests, the opportunities are endless!

Another special aspect of the summer is the additional opportunities for family time while kids are out of school. In what Gov. Evers has declared Wisconsin’s “Year of the Kid,” there’s never been a better time to get outside, enjoy summer’s warmth and explore Wisconsin’s abundant natural resources with your children or grandchildren.

If you’re looking for family-friendly outdoor activities this summer, be sure to check out our fabulous Wisconsin State Park System, which happens to be celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. Many of these properties host fun and educational events for kids and families throughout the summer — and they’re usually free! My three children and I already have a few events at parks across the state on our family calendar — we can’t wait!

No matter where your summer takes you, I hope you enjoy this issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine and can take some time to relax, unwind and reconnect with friends, family and nature.

Wishing you a happy and safe summer!