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The Association of Retired Conservationists was organized by a group of retirees from the Wisconsin Conservation Department in the 1960's. By the mid-1970's, the WCD had been combined with the Department of Resource Development to form the Department of Natural Resources, and the retirees group had grown significantly, met monthly for lunch and began inviting speakers to address the group on issues of interest to the members. Today, the organization has more than two hundred members.

website contact:

retiredrick@wisarc.org




Next Meeting
May 2
New Glarus Hotel
100 Sixth Ave, New Glarus
608-527-5244
Social Hour
11:00am Social Hour
12:30pm Lunch


Hi ARC members,

Just a short message this month with some quick news items:

  • County Deer Advisory Councils released their preliminary antlerless deer quota, permit level, and season structure recommendations for the 2018 deer hunting season. An online public comment period will begin April 2 and run through April 12 to collect feedback on these preliminary recommendations. To view your county's recommendations and provide feedback, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword "CDAC."
  • Susan Sylvester is retiring and having a small lunch gathering for WQ/WT people on April 12 and a larger gathering on April 25th from 2-4 in GEF II and an evening party that night.  
  • Lisa Helmuth, water resources management specialist, is interested in interviewing folks on their careers at DNR. Lisa interviewed Carl Blabaum back in the day, Jim Baumann in the early 2000’s, and most recently Jim Schmidt (2 hours!). Not sure what she will do with this material – maybe a video for YouTube on Wisconsin Conservation, etc. or a book – or just a collection of nice stories on video/audio and written material for your kids and grandkids, but if interested in sitting down and reminiscing about the highs and lows of DNR work, email Lisa and you can meet to chat. lisa.helmuth@wisconsin.gov
  • The Wisconsin Frog and Toad Surveygets underway in coming weeks. Volunteers survey three nights a year along a pre-set route in each early spring, late spring, and early summer. Each volunteer makes 10 stops per night (five minutes at each site) and documents the species calling and the relative abundance of each species. A few 2018 Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey routes are not yet spoken for; see available routes (green icon) on the Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey's website. Interested volunteers also can ask Wisconsin Frog and Toad Survey coordinators about open routes or ask to be placed on a waiting list for future years as desired routes or counties become available.
  • Anglers planning their fishing trips for the general hook and line fishing season that opens statewide May 5 can get a line on where to go in 2018 in The Wisconsin Fishing Report. The publication is available online and in hard copy at DNR service centers and in the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine. It's full of great information and "where to fish" recommendations from fisheries biologists from around the state.
  • DNR is seeking public comment on air permit drafts for the Foxconnliquid crystal display manufacturing facility proposed for construction in Racine County. The department made available for public comment the applications, draft permits and analysis documents for four air pollution control permits covering the Foxconn facility. To view the documents search the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, for keyword Foxconn. DNR will accept public comments through April 16, 2018.
  • The questionnaire package for the 2018 Department of Natural Resources spring fish and wildlife public hearing and annual Conservation Congress county meeting and the list of meeting locations is now available for review on the Department of Natural Resources website. On Monday, April 9, there will be 72 public hearings [PDF],one in each Wisconsin county, starting at 7 p.m. There people interested in natural resources management can provide input by non-binding vote and testimony to the DNR and the Conservation Congress on proposed natural resource related advisory questions that may impact future rule change. The spring hearings cover three major areas: elections for county Conservation Congress delegates; DNR wildlife and fisheries ideas for potential rule changes; and Conservation Congress proposals for future rule developments. Dane County’s hearing will be held at the Monona Grove High School, Auditorium, 4400 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716

Hope to see you Wednesday at Imperial Gardens.  Spring seems to be eluding us so far, so enjoy a warm lunch gathering with your colleagues.

Laurel