Wisconsin farmer reflects on a life in agriculture in book of poems
The poetry in Daniel Smith’s book “Ancestral” reflects on life and farming in the Driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin. WPR’s ...
Bless these pests: Welcoming the garden invaders
Ever feel like you’re constantly battling garden invaders? Dealing with the weeds, bugs, and critters can be a never-ending, daunting ...
One tough rock: Central Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain survived volcanoes, erosion and glaciers
There's a rumor that Rib Mountain in central Wisconsin is an extinct volcano. It seems somewhat reasonable...You can see it ...
Why are most Wisconsin waterfalls up north?
Tom Hornung from Madison reached out to WHYsconsin wondering why most waterfalls in Wisconsin are in the northern part of ...
My weekend with the doe
Though sunny weather was forecast, my Memorial Day weekend plans did not include picnics or fishing. Yard chores and planting ...
To morel or not to morel
Morel mushrooms are a coveted treat in Wisconsin every spring. But the right conditions for finding them can be as ...
After a yearslong search, Wisconsin’s oldest tree is revealed. Sort of.
Close your eyes and imagine the oldest tree in Wisconsin. When I would do this, I used to picture something ...
In Sauk County, a conservationist helps farmers transition to managed grazing
Serge Koenig has served Sauk County, Wisconsin, for nearly 30 years as a county conservationist. He’s seen numerous changes throughout ...
A squirrel tale: A chance encounter offers a reflection on the importance of play
I opened my jacket as I walked, odd for mid-winter, but the warmth of a January thaw was welcome. I ...
Tilia The Conservation Dog: Sniffing Out Invasives In Wisconsin
Every spring, when the wild parsnip sprouts and the elusive salamanders begin to breed, the team at Mequon Nature Preserve ...
Watching The Chimney Swifts At Dusk
We all have a lot to cross off our to-do lists. Have you taken the trash out? Are the bills ...
The Regal Fritillary Is In Danger Of Going Extinct. Why Haven’t More People Heard Of It?
WHYsconsin received a question from listener Rachel Potter of Fitchburg wondering, "Why don’t more Wisconsinites know about the majestic regal ...
Taking Care Of The Land: Hard Work And Ethical Dilemmas
Taking care of the land can be a huge responsibility, chock-full of hard work and ethical dilemmas. Writer Bill Lueders ...
Hibernaculum: Woman Contemplates Hibernation As Winter Coping Strategy
Before natural historians understood that some birds fly thousands of miles south each winter, they looked for other ways to ...