Environment

A bill has been proposed which could make it easier to develop state wetlands in Wisconsin. If passed, Assembly Bill 547 would remove permitting requirements for wetlands which are not federally protected. Typically, only wetlands next to navigable waters are under federal protection leaving isolated wetlands and ephemeral or seasonal wetlands under state jurisdiction. According to the Wisconsin Wetlands Association, ... Read More »

The emerald ash borer was recently discovered in Marathon County and now the county is under quarantine. The emerald ash borer is a beetle known for destroying massive amounts of trees across the Midwest. The Wisconsin Emerald Ash Borer Program includes The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, the Department of Natural Resources, UW-Madison, UW-Extension, USDA Forest Service, ... Read More »

A change in legislature may affect cooperative members statewide. The Senate Bill 281, Assembly Bill 353, allows for cooperatives, also known as co-ops, to make changes to their bylaws that were once seen as illegal. According to the Wisconsin Farmers Union, the changes would have about 20 percent of co-op board members be replaced by investors or other outsiders. Members ... Read More »

The Back 40 Mine is a potential metallic sulfide mining site proposed by the private Canadian company, Aquila Resources. Located on the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it must be approved by both states regulations to start operations. Currently, it has attained three out of the four permits necessary. While claiming to stimulate the economy, sulfide mining has ... Read More »

The Stevens Point Winter Farmers Market is about to kick off, taking place at the Redeemer Lutheran Church on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Along with the usual items for sale at the winter market, such as fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, honey, and select meats, there will be other goodies such as salsas, pestos, and bread ... Read More »

This semester, the College of Natural Resources at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point welcomed a new face to their advising team. Katie Youngberg, a UWSP alumna, recently became an advisor for the CNR, where she has begun to help students on the path to achieving their academic and career goals. Youngberg is a recent graduate of the wildlife ecology program ... Read More »

“Searching for Sustainability” is a documentary which addresses the consequences of food production which will be shown on campus on Nov. 6. This documentary explores relationships between people and resources and provides stories from Wisconsin farmers on this topic. Valerie Dantoin is the creator and producer of the documentary. The director is Dan Bertalan. Dantoin said, “The generation of millennials ... Read More »

On Oct. 25, the Department of Natural Resources’ board eliminated previously set guidelines for establishing elk hunting seasons in Wisconsin, in favor of less arbitrary rules and more flexibility. Prior to the change, elk herds in Wisconsin had to reach a specific population before harvesting permits could be issued. Additionally, permits would have had to have been issued for five ... Read More »

The Schmeeckle Candlelight Hike Festival took place on Oct. 27. This year’s theme was “A Schmeeckle Mystery: The Case of the Missing Animals.” The festival, which started back in 2005, has taken on many different themes including prehistoric Schmeeckle and underwater Schmeeckle. Emma Phifer, graduate assistant for Schmeeckle Reserve, said, “It is always a challenge to choose a theme. It ... Read More »

Jazmine Bevers is a senior communications and forestry management major. What does sustainability mean to you? It means creating a world that can sustain not only humans but every other living thing on it as well as its resources through technology, inclusivity and diversity. Why do you think sustainability is important? I think it’s important because we are living on ... Read More »