Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute

06/18/2026

🌿 Have you seen the Duluth News Tribune’s story about taking education outdoors? They featured a teacher who’s part of Rivers2Lake, the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve’s Teachers on the Estuary program!

Students get to test water quality and try out hands-on stewardship lessons. This kind of learning helps you really connect with your local waters and the places around you.

It’s a big win for outdoor education and everyone in the Rivers2Lake community!

Read the full story here:

Education roundup for May

06/17/2026

Last week was the official start of our summer season, and Upham Woods welcomed their first Wisconsin 4-H summer camp of the year!

This spring alone, over 1,200 kids from 31 schools visited Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center to experience our environmental education, outdoor recreation, and leadership development programs.

Great work, Upham and team! Now, who's excited for summer?? 🤩

06/16/2026

🌞 Feeling that summer itch to get outside and onto the water? Have you ever paddled the St. Louis Estuary? Or maybe you’re looking for a spot full of wildlife to check out this summer? This episode is just what you need.

The Paddle and Portage Podcast chatted with the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve team about all the cool wildlife you might spot, the different places you’ll paddle through, and why this part of Lake Superior is such a hidden gem. ✨

So if you’re planning your next kayak trip, love learning about Wisconsin’s waters, or just want a fun nature story for your drive, this episode will make you feel like you’re right there on the water.

Listen here:

Paddling a Lake Superior Estuary Near Duluth by Joe Friedrichs | Jun 10, 2026 | The Podcast | 0 comments The St. Louis River and Duluth Paddling Scene The St. Louis River Estuary is the confluence of the St. Louis River with Lake Superior. At 12,000 acres, the St. Louis River Estuary is the largest....

06/15/2026

You might think ag field days are always big events, but when it comes to taking on new conservation agricultural practices, Extension and NRCS staff have found that the best field days are small and focused on farmers learning from each other.

Check out our new article showing how these smaller get-togethers make it easier for you to ask honest questions, learn more, and connect with other farmers. That’s what helps turn good ideas into real changes on your farm.

Check out how Wisconsin’s Demonstration Farm Networks are shaking up field days to make them work better for you:

Are your farmers experiencing field day fatigue? Do declining attendance numbers leave your conservation group feeling discouraged? According to Whitney Prestby, Demonstration Farms Outreach Team Lead at UW–Madison Extension, it may be time to recognize the value of the small field day. Large even...

06/12/2026

Looking for a welcoming way to get into birding? The Lake Superior Reserve’s Everyone Can Bird events make birdwatching accessible for everyone in our community! 🐦🔍

With support from the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes, Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve, and local partners, these events work to remove financial and physical barriers, so more people can enjoy time outdoors and learn about the birds that call our region home.

Whether you’re brand‑new to birding or looking for a family‑friendly activity, these events offer a supportive space to explore, learn, and connect.

Learn more and find upcoming Everyone Can Bird events:

Sunday’s event offered stationary and mobile activities, snacks, free bus transportation and binoculars to borrow.

06/11/2026

Check out this video with our Forestry Communications Specialist Scott Hershberger to get the scoop on the new UW-Madison Extension Forestry website! The team just gave it a big makeover and added a bunch of new stuff for you to explore.

You’ll find a new learning hub packed with educational pages. Want to learn how to identify trees, use a chainsaw safely, create wildlife habitat, do legacy planning, or manage pests and diseases? It’s all there!

Explore the new site and start learning today: https://go.wisc.edu/forestry

06/10/2026

Plan your summer with more confidence and check out the summer outlook from the Wisconsin State Climatology Office to get a sneak peek at what’s coming. Will it be hot and sticky, or are we in for some drier days in parts of Wisconsin?

If you’re planning a festival, working in the field, heading out with your family, or just want to spend time on the water, this outlook gives you a handy heads-up on what to expect this season. 😎☀️

Read the full outlook below!

Summer is Wisconsin's warmest season, and with warm temperatures come a lot of fun outdoor activities. However, warm temperatures also increase the risk for strong storms.

06/09/2026

Have you heard about the Indigenous Food Systems Resilience Project? It brings together UW–Madison, Tribal Nations, and many partners to strengthen food sovereignty for Tribes across Wisconsin. The Natural Resources Institute is excited to be a partner in this work!

In 2025, this project offered hands-on training, helped Tribes grow more Indigenous crops and raise livestock, worked on bringing back manoomin (wild rice), supported maple sugaring, and opened up new ways for youth, producers, and community members to learn.

Check out the full stories and impact in their new 2025 report and see how this work is helping people learn, build partnerships, and strengthen communities across Wisconsin.

📄 Read the report here: https://go.wisc.edu/6f5v91

06/08/2026

Want to help keep Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers, and wetlands healthy this summer? Snapshot Day sign-up is open now! On August 8, you can join folks all over Wisconsin to team up with local groups and look for aquatic invasive species near where you live.

Invasive plants and animals show up every year and can mess with our waters, wildlife, and even your favorite places to fish or paddle. Snapshot Day is your chance to pitch in and make a difference, all in just a few hours with no experience needed!

Sign up at a spot near you and help protect the places you love to fish, paddle, and explore.

This event is coordinated in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, local partners, and YOU!

Full details linked below!

Event Information Date  August 8th, 2026Time  8:30am - 12:30pmJoin the statewide search for aquatic invasive species! An Overview of Snapshot Day Snapshot Day is a statewide, one-day event connecting volunteers, water lovers, and local conservation groups in a search for aquatic invasive species (...

06/05/2026

Are you confused or worried about PFAS in your drinking water? If you’re wondering what your community can do about it, there are two new tools that might help: the PFAS Communication Guide and the Private Well Evaluation Toolkit. These were put together by UW-Madison Extension Forestry, the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant/Water Resources Institutes, Wisconsin DNR, and other partners to help you, local and tribal health departments, public officials, and community leaders tackle PFAS concerns.

These two resources are designed to make it easier for you and your community to talk about PFAS, plan well-sampling, and share results in a way that builds trust. The guide breaks down why some messages can be confusing and gives you tips for talking about things that aren’t certain yet. The toolkit helps you get ready for sampling, keep track of your results, and share what you find.

So if you’re feeling confused about PFAS, these tools can help you find some answers and move forward with confidence.

Read the full story:

The effects of PFAS contamination, whether in a private well or a municipal water supply, are rarely straightforward. And research shows that public understanding of PFAS contamination and mitigation options is limited. Those impacted have to make sense of unfamiliar science, interpret complex test....