News You Can Use

NEWS YOU CAN USE

U.S. Postal Service

STAMP TREATMENT FOR STATE NATURAL AREAS

New stamps planned from the U.S. Postal Service this year celebrate the Mississippi River with scenic photography highlighting each of the 10 states the waterway touches. Wisconsin is featured in the pane of 10 Mighty Mississippi Forever Stamps with a colorful fall photo of Great River Road and the Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area in Pepin County, taken by Jay Olson-Goude.

The Mississippi River stamps are expected to be available in late spring.

Planting a tree for Arbor Day.

DNR Files

FOR THE EARTH AND THE TREES

April brings opportunities to do good in the outdoors. Look for events near you to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, including at state properties as part of annual Work*Play*Earth Day activities. And don’t forget Arbor Day on April 29. Check dnr.wi.gov/education/arborday for fun activities to do at home, in the classroom or at home-school and to plan your own tree planting project.

Recreational Boating And Fishing Foundation

CASTING CALL

Mark the calendar for May 7, the start of the 2022 general inland fishing season. The opener always falls on the first Saturday in May. Check dnr. wi.gov/topic/fishing for regulations and details for a successful season.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN WISCONSIN

The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts, a nationally recognized collaborative network for linking science with action, recently released its 2021 report — "Wisconsin’s Changing Climate: Impacts and Solutions for a Warmer Climate" — the most comprehensive assessment to date on the impact of climate change in Wisconsin. The WICCI report is the product of 14 working groups of over 200 scientists and practitioners representing more than 50 national, state and local agencies, organizations and universities and was reviewed by WICCI's 24-member Science Advisory Board.

Using the latest data, the report identifies that since 1950, statewide temperatures have warmed by 3 degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation has increased 17%. The latest two decades have been the warmest on record, and the past decade the wettest.

The WICCI report stresses the need for large and rapid reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and identifies steps Wisconsin can take to store carbon, reduce emissions and adapt to a wetter and warmer future. To learn more, go to wicci.wisc.edu.

Enjoy Peninsula State Park and other properties for free June 4-5.

Travel Wisconsin

FIND FREE FUN, FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE

June 4-5 is Free Fun Weekend in Wisconsin. With state park admission and trail fees waived statewide, it’s the perfect time to explore the 49 state parks, 15 state forests and 44 state trails where adventure awaits. To find state parks to enjoy during Free Fun Weekend or anytime, check dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks.

There’s also free fishing all weekend with no license required to cast on the state’s 15,000 lakes and 84,000 miles of rivers and streams. Visit dnr.wi.gov/adventure/ freefun for Free Fun Weekend details.