Wisconsin Mixed Bag: Leopold Nature Center to host Maple Syrup Fest March 14 in Monona

Monona, Wis. — Anyone interested in learning how to turn maple sap into maple syrup may attend Maple Syrup Fest March 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona.

The free event offers a hands-on introduction to this seasonal tradition. Stations will lead visitors through the process of making maple syrup. Visitors will learn when and how to tap trees for sap and be able to sample real Wisconsin maple syrup.

Free parking and a free shuttle will be available at Ahuska Park. The Aldo Leopold Nature Center is at 330 Femrite Drive in Monona.

DNR Accepting Artwork Entries for 2027 Turkey, Pheasant, Waterfowl Stamp Contest

Madison — The DNR is now accepting entries for the turkey, pheasant and waterfowl stamp design contests. The winning designs will appear on the 2027 collection of stamps.

Stamp sales generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management, including habitat management, restoration, education and research projects.

Entries must be received or postmarked by Aug. 1. Judging will take place on Aug. 22 at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh.

The winners of the 2026 contests were: turkey and waterfowl, Sam Timm, of Wautoma; pheasant, Caleb Metrich, of Lake Tomahawk.

MORE COVERAGE FROM WISCONSIN OUTDOOR NEWS:

Wisconsin’s sandhill crane hunt bill goes to Senate, while competing wake boat bills put on hold

Wisconsin spearers wrap up highly successful sturgeon season

Wisconsin’s Hannah Stolz, sister of U.S. gold medalist Jordan Stolz, has talent of her own with taxidermy

Submit Photos by March 31 for Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Calendar Contest

Wales, Wis. — The Wisconsin Waterfowl Association (WWA) is looking for photo entries for its 2027 conservation calendar, photos that capture the spirit of Wisconsin waterfowl and the group’s conservation mission.

WWA is looking for high-quality, high-resolution photos featuring Wisconsin wetlands and marsh sunrises, ducks and geese in their natural habitat, restored habitat and conservation projects, youth education and mentoring moments, retrievers in action and the waterfowl lifestyle rooted in stewardship.

Photos may be submitted through WWA’s website.

Kewaskum Student Fishing Team Appears at First State Ice Fishing Championship

Kewaskum, Wis. — As do a number of Wisconsin schools, coaches for the Kewaskum Outdoors Team continue adding students and growing their teams, with Kewaskum having an unprecedented turnout of more than 70 student sign-ups for this winter’s ice-fishing season.

“The program experienced massive growth this year, ultimately culminating in a major milestone – the team’s very first appearance at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Fishing Association (WIFA) State Championship,” said Joel Fleischman, one of the team’s coaches.

The team competed in three major tournaments and took home the title for the most total inches of fish caught at the Kettle Moraine event. Student-angler Nolan Marx landed a 39.5-inch northern pike to set a school record.

“Beyond the leaderboards, the program focused on education, skill-building and treating competitive fishing with the same dedication as traditional athletics. Later in the year, the team hosted a hands-on outing on Long Lake where students learned the complete field-to-table process,” Fleischman said.

For more information, photos and updates on the summer team, follow the team on Instagram at @kewaskumoutdoorsteam.

Cornell’s 20-Year Study: Deer Inhibit Trees but Tend to Raise Overall Plant Diversity

Ithaca, NY. — At high densities, whitetails inhibit growth of trees but increase the diversity of smaller plant and weed species, according to a long-term study by Cornell University.  Cornell researchers created experimental plots 20 years ago to mimic abandoned agricultural land on university-owned parcels. Half of the plots were surrounded by fencing that excludes deer, and half were left open.

“All six of our plots where deer have been excluded by fencing have trees in them now. In our open plots that deer can access, we have almost no visible trees,” said Anurag Agrawal, study co-author and the James A. Perkins Professor of Environmental Studies. “Deer prefer woody things and often forage in the wintertime and eat woody stems. So even small saplings are not persisting.”

While the researchers found that deer inhibit forest growth, they also found that the presence of deer increases the overall diversity of smaller plant species.

Wolf-Moose Foundation Launches Nonprofit

Houghton, Mich. — Supporters of the world’s longest-running predator-prey study on Isle Royale have launched a new nonprofit foundation and hope to raise $2.2 million to continue funding the research. The Wolf-Moose Foundation wants to build an endowment that would permanently support the decades-long wolf-moose study on Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park.

The wolf-moose study includes the winter population surveys and the summer “Moosewatch” program, when hikers trek across Isle Royale’s forest to collect moose bones from wolf kills.