In this segment from Nature, Rangers release the Black rhino to a new location in Southern Africa where rhinos are previously endangered.
A key component of wildlife management is understanding the impact that humans have on their surrounding environment. In this activity students will begin to explore the human impacts that their school yard is experiencing from air, soil, and water pollution.
The starters typically take 5 minutes or less to complete and provide students with a focused activity to start class. Feel free to use the starters as they are provided or adapt them to fit your units of study.
I provide students with a Science Starters answer sheet (quarter format) that has room for nine weeks worth of answers. The answer sheets are collected every Friday to be graded and then I return them on Monday for the new week. I also have an answer sheet with room for four weeks worth of answers or a weekly Science Starters bookmark (weekly format) available as an alternative to the standard answer sheet.
Students will examine clues about animals such as nests, leaves, feathers, fur, tracks that allow some conclusions about the identity, physical characteristics or behavior of the animals. Students will study the characteristics of animal tracks.
Snapshot Wisconsin is a partnership to monitor wildlife year-round, using a statewide network of trail cameras. Snapshot Wisconsin provides data needed for decision making at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It is also a unique opportunity for individuals, families, and students to get involved in monitoring the state’s valuable natural resources. This tool is designed to help visualize many aspects of Snapshot Wisconsin data.
Wake is a science game that challenges students with engaging and authentic missions in a variety of ocean-based ecosystems, designed to target the NGSS science practices of experimentation, modeling, and argumentation, in the context of middle school life sciences.
In the game, students take the role of a scientist studying ocean ecosystems, traveling to different ocean research sites to answer questions and solve problems. Students play the game at their own pace, working individually, and taking on gradually more complex science challenges in an open-ended environment.
Check out the Teacher Support Site for curriculum ideas and resources: https://sites.google.com/wisc.edu/waketeacherguide/home
At some point, many children wish for a pet animal to play with and care for. But what does it take to keep an animal alive and healthy? In this engaging lesson plan, children will act out adopting a pet and shopping for items based on its needs. As they bring their items together, they will notice that every animal needs food, water, shelter, and air to survive.
WhatBird is a step-by-step search engine for identifying bird species. Can be used in conjunction with lessons on dichotomous keys and other classification systems. The site also demonstrates uses of "citizen science" data collections via smartphones, videos, forum posts, etc.
This is the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources GIS Open Data Portal. It is a free resource for locating, viewing, and downloading data developed and/or maintained by the Wisconsin DNR.
This site also has categories of: Water, Fish and Wildlife, Managed Lands, Cimate, Parks and Recreation, Forestry, Transportation, Indexess and PLSS, Boundaries and Land Cover and Vegetation.
The site also has Applications that include: PFAS in Wisconsin Data Viewer, Western Coulee and Ridges Regional Master Plan, North Central Forest Regional Master Plan, Wildfires Dashboard App, Report Invasive Species, CWD reporting, etc
Wisconsin's 15,000 lakes. The DNR partners with the University of Wisconsin - Extension and citizens around the state to help protect and maintain these amazing natural resources while providing some of the best recreational opportunities in the nation. More than 600 lake organizations and thousands of volunteers play a leadership role in the stewardship of Wisconsin's lakes.
Find a Lake, Lake Water Quality Data, Lake Maps, Plants and Aquatic invasive Insects - are all linked to this site.
Wisconsin DNR's Wisconsin Wetland Inventory geodatabase, containing wetland polygons and points.
The principal focus of the wetland inventory is to produce wetland maps that are graphic representations of the type, size and location of wetlands in Wisconsin. Currently, there are two different datasets that have been created using different mapping methods and technologies.
The majority of the state was mapped using traditional stereo-pair, black-and-white, infrared photography. Within this context, the objective was to provide reconnaissance level information on the location, type, size of these habitats such that they are accurate at the nominal scale of the 1:24,000 (1 inch = 2000 feet) base map.
LiDAR Technology:
LiDAR has advanced the ability to see and map wetland and surface water features.
New wetland mapping is underway in areas across the state at a nominal scale of 1:2000 (1 inch = 166.7 feet). The data are being mapped according to the National Wetland Inventory standards using new methods. Please see the WWI SOP for more information.
Do you know your Wisconsin fish? Wisconsin is home to more than 160 different fish species. The fish species below are most commonly caught by Wisconsin anglers.
Also links to these resources:
Wisconsin's state record fish
Hooked on Wisconsin Anglers' Club
Game fish of Wisconsin poster
Fish Wildcards - A set of 45 fish, plus games, knots, basic fish anatomy, a common fish parasite, and a handy trick to estimate your fish’s weight with a ruler! Two versions:
Match Your Catch, Low-Res Version [PDF] or
Match Your Catch, Hi-Res Version [PDF]
Fish of Wisconsin [exit DNR]
Fish identification database [exit DNR]
Burbot, bowfin and snakehead identification
Wisconsin fish species list [PDF] - a printable document with Wisconsin's fish species.
Fishing in Wisconsin's waters is enjoyed by many, but only a few anglers apply their skills to the extent that they catch a verified record fish. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recognizes anglers who have legally taken the largest fish on record by hook and line and those fish that have been taken by alternate methods (for example, spearing or bow fishing).
Live release record fish category
Hook and line records
Alternate method records (spear, bow and arrow, crossbow)
The DNR does not keep line-class or lake-specific records. However, you may contact the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame [exit DNR] for national line class records.
DO YOU THINK YOU'VE CAUGHT A RECORD FISH?
If you think you or someone you know has caught a fish that might be a state record, there are several things you should do:
don't clean or freeze the fish
keep the fish cool - preferably on ice
get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale (found in grocery, hardware stores, etc.) and witnessed by an observer
contact the nearest DNR office to get the fish species positively identified and to find out whether the fish is a state record
obtain and complete a record fish application [PDF]
An official record fish application must accompany all prospective record fish entries.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources dataset of current Wolf population and distribution of wolf packs found throughout Wisconsin.
Following a federal court ruling on Feb. 10, 2022, gray wolves are listed as an endangered species in the lower 48 states (excluding the northern Rocky Mountains region). As such, wolves are federally protected. Harvest and lethal depredation control are prohibited.
Wisconsin's wolf population remains healthy and secure in the state. The department will continue its robust wolf population monitoring program and the development of an updated wolf management plan.
The DNR will continue to partner with USDA-Wildlife Services to address wolf conflicts in Wisconsin. If you suspect wolves in the depredation of livestock, pets or hunting dogs, or if wolves are exhibiting threatening or dangerous behavior, contact USDA-Wildlife Services staff immediately. If in northern Wisconsin, call 1-800-228-1368 or 715-369-5221; in southern Wisconsin, call 1-800-433-0663 or 920-324-4514. While gray wolves are listed as a federally endangered species, it remains unlawful to shoot a wolf unless there is an immediate threat to human safety.