Wildlife

WGF evaluation and reports on state and federal actions and funding affecting wildlife management in Wisconsin, developed by WGF’s Wildlife Work Group.

WGF Opposes Proposed Rule Change to the Endangered Species Act

Examples of endangered and threatened species in Wisconsin with a whooping crane, eastern prairie fringed orchid, Karner blue butterfly, Canada lynx, northern long eared bat, Higgins eye mussel, slender glass lizard, Hine's emerald, and piping plover

Examples of endangered and threatened species in Wisconsin depicting a whooping crane, eastern prairie fringed orchid, Karner blue butterfly, Canada lynx, northern long eared bat, Higgins eye mussel, slender glass lizard, Hine’s emerald, and piping plover. Photos via USFWS and Canva.

Speaking Up for Rare Species and their Habitats

On April 17, 2025, a …

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Dogs & Wolves with Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven

Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven answer audience questions on dogs and wolves.

Dog and Wolf Behavior & the Wolves of WI, plus an Auction of Experiences
Featuring Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven

Thank you to all who attended our special event at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison on April 5, featuring Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven! We loved seeing so many new faces and old friends gathered to …

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Webinar: Navigating Chronic Wasting Disease

Cover image for April 1, 2025 webinar on Navigating Chronic Wasting Disease


Navigating Chronic Wasting Disease Webinar (Recorded April 1, 2025)

On, Tuesday, April 1, 2025 from 4:30-5:30pm CT, we held our webinar on Navigating Chronic Wasting Disease: A Presentation on Recent Advances by Dr. Peter Larsen. We co-hosted the webinar with the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation.

During the webinar, our presenter Dr. Larsen of the Minnesota …

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Public Testimony on Wolves and Elk

Senate Commitee members gather around a large table with an American and Wisconsin flag in the background

Members of the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage, March 4, 2025, photo by Paul Heinen

On March 4, 2025, WGF testified before the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage.

Adrian Wydeven (left) and Peter David (right) at the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions and Sporting Heritage hearing …

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Special Event with Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven

Cover image for April 5, 2025 event with Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven with text overlaid on semi-transparent images of a dog and wolf and circular headshots of the presenters


Dog and Wolf Behavior & the Wolves of WI, plus an Auction of Experiences
A Special Event with Dr. Patricia McConnell and Adrian Wydeven
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 1:00-3:30pm CT

Location: Olbrich Botanical Gardens, 3330 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI 53704

Click here to register.

  • Advance registration is required. No tickets will be available at the door.
  • Tickets are …
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Public Comment on Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Habitat

Rusty Patched Bumble Bee on a purple flower

Working to Protect Biodiversity

Wisconsin’s Green Fire submitted public comment to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in late January 2025. Our comment letter expressed support for the designation of critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis). The USFWS called for comments on the proposed rule to designate this critical …

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Update on Vista Sands Solar and Greater Prairie-Chickens

Map of Vista Sands Solar development solar arrays

by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director

Working for Renewable Energy AND Wildlife Conservation
In August 2024, at the administrative law hearing for the Vista Sands Solar Project development, I testified on behalf of Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF). In that testimony, we asked for certain solar arrays to be excluded from the final project map. …

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WGF Sponsors Two Deer Dumpsters for 2024

Deer dumpster sponsored by Wisconsin's Green Fire

Wisconsin’s Green Fire is sponsoring two deer dumpsters for 2024.

Deer dumpster sponsored by Wisconsin’s Green Fire

Annually since 2021, WGF has sponsored two deer dumpsters to aid efforts at slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Wisconsin’s deer herd. WGF’s Wildlife Work Group chair and Science Council member, Tom Hauge, led …

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Wake Boats Coalition – Focus on Local Control

group of logos from Wisconsin lakes coalition members as of 14Oct2024

Wake Boats & Wisconsin Lakes – October 14, 2024 News Release
“Wisconsin Coalition Hails Local Efforts Regulating Wake-Enhanced Boats”

Our work as a coalition continues to advance a science-based approach to protect Wisconsin lakes from harmful effects related to wake-enhanced boats. On October 14, 2024, the coalition shared this news release, focusing on local efforts by Wisconsin …

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Vista Sands Solar Farm – WGF Public Testimony

prairie grasses and flowers with prairie chicken management sign in foreground

WGF’s Public Testimony on the proposed Vista Sands Solar Farm
An update on how we’re fighting for renewable energy and wildlife conservation.

Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) continues to seek several modifications to the proposed Vista Sands Solar Farm development. We’re working so this unprecedented expansion of renewable energy production – a necessary step toward attaining the …

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