Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

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“Growing up, there was this strip of woods behind my house,” reminisces Erin Morrison, a DNR Research Scientist specializing in large carnivores, “I would go into that all the time and spend hours back there in the summer.” Morrison grew up in the suburbs of Virginia Beach, Virginia where she says, though her options were limited, she always found ways to be outside. Today, she lives in Wisconsin where she can be found hiking, paddling, backpacking and, oh yeah, come wintertime, occasionally waist-deep in a bear den! Morrison is a part of the Black Bear Litter and Diet Survey, an ongoing DNR study that aims to inform bear management throughout Wisconsin by providing zone-specific reproductive information on the species. “Part of my role in the project is to lead the field efforts,” Morrison shares, “and we investigate a lot of potential black bear den reports.” While most of us are nowhere near ready to start thinking about winter, Morrison mentions that keeping bears on the brain can only help when it comes time for their fall and winter den reports. “We rely on public knowledge to get the majority of our bear dens, that’s how we put new collars out and get new bears into the study.” This past field season, the bear research team successfully collared 16 new sows, putting them right on track with project goals. However, behind those 16 success stories were over 100 den reports, which emphasize just how crucial public involvement is to the study's success. “We are looking for more dens, always,” Morrison confirms. “I would especially love to get more southern bears and expand our sample size down south.” As long as warm weather reigns, however, Morrison’s day-to-day work features a lot of behind-the-scenes data analysis, which she says is just as important. “It’s very rewarding, knowing that the work I put in on a day-to-day basis, both on the analysis side and fieldwork side, is all going to directly influence the species I’m working on. The fact that my work has meaning to it is what drives me forward.” Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gqEP6smc

Looking for a place near La Crosse to explore the outdoors, enjoy beautiful vistas and avoid crowds? Rush Creek State Natural Area is the perfect spot. The site is often called one of the “crown jewels” of state natural areas because of its unique habitats and incredible biodiversity. As soon as you start exploring, you’ll see why Rush Creek was chosen for an innovative conservation project, a partnership between the DNR and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. The project aims to restore and reconnect nearly 1,000 acres at the site and reimagine habitat management to align with climate change projections. Learn more about Rush Creek and "Conservation Innovation" in the summer issue of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gFzZ2S3C

We're hiring an Employee Engagement Advisor to lead efforts to support employee engagement and retention and promote a culture of belonging for all DNR employees. In this role, you'll be responsible for assessing department culture, identifying organizational, systemic or divisional issues or opportunities and effectively guiding and influencing the culture of the department to engage and retain talent. This includes developing agency-wide strategies to improve engagement, and designing, developing and implementing programs aimed at creating a positive workplace environment. If you want to use your leadership and data analysis experience to support a positive work culture for dedicated public servants, apply today! Head to wisc.jobs and search for job ID 14815. The deadline to apply is July 24, 2024.

Wisconsin has a lot of natural resources, but one of our most essential resources often goes unnoticed and underappreciated: Wisconsin's grasslands. Also known as prairies, grasslands were once abundant in the Midwest, but their footprint keeps shrinking despite being essential areas for habitat, clean water, recreation and more. Efforts such as conservation grazing are helping to change that. Find out more about what’s “Good for Grasslands” in the summer issue of the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gtAN2Hhk Photo Credit: Randy Jackson

Every year the DNR stocks millions of fish across the state. Do you ever wonder where they go or how they impact our fisheries? Well, thanks to DNA analysis, we can now answer those questions. By studying fish DNA, we can create a family tree of stocked fish to help us validate when and where stocking is most effective. Curious how we do it? Check out the article about parentage-based tagging in the summer issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine: https://lnkd.in/gVzrr2_N

Are you planning a boating or fishing trip? Sounds like fun on any of Wisconsin’s 15,000 incredible lakes and 84,000 miles of stunning rivers and streams. Please keep in mind that July 4 – 6 is the National Operation Dry Water campaign. In addition to other water enthusiasts, you’ll be seeing local boat patrols, Wisconsin DNR conservation wardens and more officers on the waters. They will be sharing boating safety information and removing impaired operators from the waters to ensure a safe environment for all. Remember, alcohol is a leading factor in boater fatalities and accidents. Stay safe, wear your life jacket and stay sober. Have a great holiday weekend.

Get ready to make a difference on Wisconsin's waters! The Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz is going on now through July 6. During this time, boaters will be greeted at landings and access points by volunteers and regional aquatic invasive species prevention partners sharing the simple but powerful message: You can protect your favorite lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species impacts. By taking a few minutes to inspect your boat, remove any attached plant material or mud, and drain your livewell or bait bucket, you can help stop the spread of invasives. Look for volunteers across the state during the blitz to learn more about how you can make a difference. Photo Credit: Jeanne Scherer

We recently launched a new web mapping application that you can use to plan your next outdoor adventure. The Public Access Lands application, available on your desktop and mobile device, offers easy-to-use tools to help you locate a state park, county forest or lake for hiking, hunting or fishing. It also provides up-to-date property information, DNR parking areas and boat access sites, restricted areas and links to webpages with additional information and detailed maps, if available. The application has graphic tools to customize your map and a map ‘theme’ option to display layers relevant to specific opportunities, such as fishing waters or hunting areas. It complements the printed Public Access Lands Atlas, which was updated in January. To try out the new web-based app, visit: https://lnkd.in/g_k5mnby

Summer is here, along with new career opportunities for you at the DNR. To find the next adventure in your career, head to wisc.jobs, then click Search by Agency and choose Dept of Natural Resources to find all of our current openings.