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It’s turtle nesting time again!

Please help keep them alive on our roadways

MADISON – During the prime turtle nesting season in Wisconsin, the remains of turtles killed on the road are an unfortunate, and all too common, sight. Each year, from late May through June, turtles leave the water, traversing back roads and major highways, to nest on land and encounter an ever-increasing number of vehicles along the way.

“This is particularly hard for turtles, because as a species they mature so slowly,” according to Bob Hay, an amphibian and reptile biologist with the Department of Natural Resources. “Female turtles mature slower than males, and females are killed at much high rates because of their need to travel about on land searching for a suitable nesting place.”

Road mortality is particularly significant for two rare and threatened species: the Blanding’s turtle and the wood turtle, Hay said, adding that even the more common species, like painted turtles or snappers, can experience locally heavy mortality on roads and highways and their populations suffer as a result.

Hay noted that the Blanding’s turtle takes 17 to 20 or more years to reach breeding age and it may take several decades for a road killed female to be replaced in a population because hatchling and juvenile survival tends to be very low.

“Turtles are an important and fascinating part of a diverse food web necessary for other wildlife and plant life, and highway mortality continues to be one of the major threats to our native turtle populations, Hay said.

Motorists are most likely to see turtles crossing roads near lakes, streams and wetlands this time of year because the roads separate the aquatic habitat, where turtles spend most of their lives, from well-drained upland habitats where female turtles deposit their eggs.

A turtle is no match for an automobile tire. “If you see a turtle on the road -- and only if it’s safe to do so -- carefully pull over and help the turtle to the side of the road it is facing,” Hay said.

When helping an aggressive turtle, such as a snapping turtle, off the road, the safest way to avoid being bitten is to gently drag it across the road by its tail, leaving the front feet on the pavement. It may help to use a stick that the turtle can bite to grab the tail more safely. Hay strongly cautions people to never put themselves or other drivers at risk when stopping to help a turtle. Turtles will generally stop when they notice a vehicle. Driving slower in areas where turtles have been observed and driving around them is another way to help, again, only when it’s safe and traffic conditions permit.

Turtles are up against tough odds even without highway mortality. Five of Wisconsin’s 11 turtle species are experiencing significant population declines. Hay says that as few as five percent of eggs laid survive to hatch and of those, only very few may survive to reproductive age. Natural predators of turtles and turtle eggs are many and include raccoons, skunks, fox, opossums, herons, egrets, seagulls, cranes, crows and others.

People should be aware that the turtle season is closed each year from December 1until July 15, so taking turtles or their eggs for pets or for food is illegal. Anyone who observes this being done should contact the DNR hotline at 1-800-TIPWDNR (1-800-847-9367).

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Hay - (608) 267-0849

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Eastern tent caterpillars are highly visible in Wisconsin this spring

MADISON - Last year’s dry weather favored the survival of the native eastern tent caterpillar in central and southern Wisconsin. As a result, state forestry health specialists report that people are seeing high populations of this tent caterpillar in many areas of the state this month.

“Eastern tent caterpillars are often confused with gypsy moth caterpillars, but the two are easily distinguishable,” says Andrea Diss-Torrance, Suppression Program Coordinator at the Department of Natural Resources. “Tent caterpillars make tents, gypsy moth caterpillars don’t.”

In early spring, white tents or webs in small flowering fruit trees where branches meet the trunk or another branch is a sure sign of eastern tent caterpillar. In high numbers, this caterpillar can strip the leaves off of infected trees, but they rarely do serious damage.

“Defoliation from the eastern tent caterpillar occurs early enough in the season that trees have plenty of time to grow a new set of leaves and produce the energy they need,” says Diss-Torrance. Healthy trees and shrubs will recover easily. High numbers of eastern tent caterpillars are usually only present in an area for one or two years at a time.

In Wisconsin, eastern tent caterpillars feed on crabapple, wild plum, wild cherry and apple trees. Native trees such as wild plum and cherry have co-evolved with this native caterpillar, so they can tolerate its effects. This caterpillar also has many predators, parasites and diseases, unlike the exotic gypsy moth.

The eastern tent caterpillar can be easily controlled without disfiguring a tree to do it.

“Don’t cut branches off of your tree to remove the tents. This causes much more damage to your tree than the caterpillars ever would,” says Diss-Torrance. “Also, do not burn the nets or webs out of the tree. This is extremely dangerous and also kills the branches.”

Instead, a colony can be wiped out with nothing more than a pair of rubber gloves and a bucket of soapy water. In early evening when the caterpillars return to the tent for the night, strip them and their tent out of the tree wearing the rubber gloves and put the whole mess in the soapy water. The next morning discard the soaked tent and dead caterpillars. If the tent is out of reach, tear up the tent with a stick and spray in soapy water or a contact insecticide.

If a tree is small, the leaves can be sprayed with the bacterial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis, commonly known as Bt. Insecticides including Bt are available at all garden centers. Bt is highly effective against tent caterpillar but has no significant effect on people, pets, wild animals or plants and is commonly used by organic farmers on their crops.

Eastern tent caterpillars have a white or yellow stripe down their back and blue dots along their sides. Pictures are available on the Gypsy Moth [exit DNR] Web site under the link for “identification.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Department of Natural Resources forest health specialists Linda Williams, Green Bay, 920-662-5172; Todd Lanigan, Eau Claire, 715-839-1632; Mark Guthmiller, Madison, 608-275-3223; Shane Weber, Spooner, 715-635-4156; Brian Schwingle, Rhinelander, 715-365-8908

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Beach conditions a mouse click away

Personal forecasts available via e-mail

MILWAUKEE – Beachgoers can stick their toes in the water this summer without leaving home.

Daily updates on water quality conditions at 118 beaches along Lakes Michigan and Superior and at more than 100 state park beaches are available online at Beach Health [exit DNR]. Beachgoers also can sign up at this site to have a personal beach forecast e-mailed to them daily, and can find historical beach data, annual reports, and more information about beach health.

“Wisconsin has 52 miles of fabulous public beaches on the Great Lakes, and this web site can provide you with important information about your favorite spot,” says Shaunna Chase, Wisconsin Great Lakes Beach Program coordinator.

This is the sixth summer that public beaches along Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coast will be regularly tested for bacteria, and results will be posted on the web site and via signs at the beaches. The 118 beaches in the 13 coastal counties participating this summer will be monitored anywhere from one to four times a week, depending on the beaches’ usage and other factors. An advisory is posted when levels of E. coli reach 235 colony forming units, and a “closed” sign is posted when E. coli levels exceed 1,000 colony forming units.

The program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with 14 participants including municipal and county health departments and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh researchers. It’s primarily funded by a federal grant program under the Beach Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act, which aims to increase visitors’ awareness of, and reduce potential exposure to, disease-causing microorganisms in coastal recreational waters.

Wisconsin also has been a part of a program to determine ways of identifying sources of beach contamination so that local beach managers may manage or eliminate those sources, which in turn will reduce risks to beach users.

Beaches such as North Beach in Racine County and Sister Bay Beach in Door County have received national awards for the work their local leaders have done to address problems and make these beaches healthy, Chase says.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaunna Chase (608) 266-2554

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Lake Wissota State Park to host Lake Fair June 8

Northwestern Wisconsin Lake Conference June 19

MADISON – People interested in learning more about how to care for the health of Wisconsin’s lakes have two upcoming opportunities to join other lake enthusiasts in activities and workshops aimed at protecting and improving water and habitat quality in Wisconsin lakes.

Lake Wissota Lake Fair

A lake fair will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, at Lake Wissota State Park near Chippewa Falls. This date coincides with Free Fishing Weekend and State Park Open House Day, during which no fishing licenses are required and there is free admission to all state parks.

The lake fair will provide an opportunity for a hands-on approach to lake issues and will emphasize family participation. Family activities will include free kayaking, water safety instruction, and fishing clinics. There will be live critters to emphasize the importance of maintaining natural shoreland habitats, and families will have the opportunity to build a bluebird house and hike a bluebird trail. Art projects and games for children will be provided as well.

Pontoon classrooms will demonstrate lake science and show examples of adequate buffer zones and critical habitat. Exhibitors and speakers will address soil testing and phosphorus, septic systems, shoreland restoration and rain gardens, aquatic plants, and invasive species. Opportunities for individuals to get involved with lakes, such as LoonWatch, Clean Boats Clean Waters, and NatureMapping programs will also be presented.

More information is available on the Wisconsin Association of Lakes Web site [exit DNR].

Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference June 19-20

A Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference will be held Thursday and Friday, June 19 and 20, at Telemark Resort and Conference Center near Cable. The conference will feature two special attractions: a keynote address by John Magnuson, UW-Madison Center for Limnology professor emeritus, and world-renowned lake scientist and an expert in global climate change and its relationship to lakes; and a performance by the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua.

A series of in-depth workshops on Thursday will explore new partnerships for water protection, aquatic invasive species prevention strategies, lake grants and successful lake projects. Friday's conference features many sessions on a variety of important lake topics. Full agenda and registration details are available on the Wisconsin Association of Lakes Web site [exit DNR].

Following many great workshops and presentations the NWLC will feature a two hour special performance of Wild Woods and Waters, thanks to generous support from the National Park Service and the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation. Critically acclaimed folk songwriter Warren Nelson will lead the Blue Canvas Orchestra in an illuminated concert celebrating the wild side of Wisconsin waters and landscapes.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wisconsin Association of Lakes at 608-661-4313

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Boating season is here: Survive the fun – wear a jacket

Online course ready for state’s new mandatory boating education law

MADISON – As boat operators prepare for this summer’s open water boating season, state recreational safety specialists are reminding them that life jackets are required for each occupant aboard a boat and that Wisconsin also has a new mandatory safety education law.

“Today’s life jackets are lightweight, compact, and a lot more comfortable,” notes Roy Zellmer Department of Natural Resources boating law administrator. “And they are the most important item for your boat. Think of them similar to the bike helmet for a bicyclist or a hard hat for a construction worker. They’re key to staying safe while having fun aboard your boat this season.”

Statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard show that in 2006 unexpected capsizing and falls overboard accounted for 85 percent of all boating accidents, and that roughly 90 percent of all boaters who do drown are not wearing a life saving jacket.

“And, mixing alcohol with a high-speed motor on a watery track is a recipe for disaster,” Zellmer said.

New mandatory boating education law

Zellmer also said all boaters – state residents and nonresidents alike – are bound by a new state law to complete a boating safety course if they were born in or after 1989.

“Eventually, this law will cover all residents,” he said. “However, the phase-in is on. And completing a safety course is a great idea whether the law mandates it or not.”

Courses may be completed in person or on line. The Department of Natural Resources has more information about the course – both online and classroom – on its Boating Safety Web page.

“Summer is such a great time in Wisconsin – with its 15,000 lakes and roughly 45,000 miles of streams and rivers,” Zellmer said. “Stay safe and you can enjoy yourself year after year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Zellmer - (608) 264-8970 or Regional recreational safety wardens: DNR Northeast Region April Dombrowski, Oshkosh Service Center – (920) 303-5443; DNR Northern Region, Jeff Dauterman, Antigo Service Center - (715) 623-4190 or Chris Wunrow, Spooner Service Center - (715) 635-4112; DNR West Central Region, William Yearman, Eau Claire Service Center - (715) 839-3717; DNR South Central Region, Catherine Nooyen - (608) 275-3253 or DNR Southeast Region, John Bronikowski, Sturtevant Service Center - (262) 844-2383 or John Plenke, Waukesha Service Center - (262) 574-2163

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‘Invader Crusaders’ to receive awards for controlling invasive species

MADISON – Five individuals and one group who have made significant contributions to slowing the spread of invasive plants and aquatic species in Wisconsin are being honored at a ceremony June 2. The Wisconsin Council on Invasive Species [exit DNR] will present awards to six “Invader Crusaders” recognizing their special efforts to fight invasive species in the state. The award ceremony will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on in the Governor's Conference Room at the State Capitol.

“These winners are among thousands of citizens who educate boaters at launches on how to properly inspect, clean and drain their boats, pull invasive plants from their local parks and participate in a variety of other activities to prevent the spread of invasive species in Wisconsin,” says Christal Campbell, an aquatic invasive species education specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

2008 award recipients include: for professional efforts: Jerry Doll, Waunakee; Ron Martin, Lodi; and Greg Long, New Berlin. For voluntary efforts: Gene Roark, Madison; Ryan Everson, Rhinelander (youth award). And for the organization award: Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area.

In addition, the council will also recognize the winners of a “Stop the Aquatic Invasion” poster contest. The contest was open to fourth and fifth grade students throughout the state. Students were asked to do some research to find out about invasive species that take over Wisconsin waters and then create posters highlighting the traits of one or more of these species. A first-prize winner, three runners-up, and a few honorable mentions were chosen from the more than 500 entries received.

The top four poster creators will be honored at the June 2 ceremony. Their posters, along with the honorable mentions, will be on display in the Capitol Rotunda June 2-13. The 1st Place Winner was Turner Poad, Mineral Point Elementary; 2nd Place- Samantha White, Martin Luther Christian; Tie for 3rd Place - Claudia Engebose, Luzemburg-Casco Intermediate and Virginia Rose Laura Lee, Lumen Christi Catholic. Honorable Mentions included: Joshua Ray Campbell, Turtle Lake School; Dustin James Eder, Turtle Lake School; Emma Flood, Martin Luther Christian; Madeline Harty, Magee Elementary; Nicole Ann Peterson, Luxemburg-Casco Intermediate.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Christal Campbell - (608) 264-8976