EM Insight 2026 Quarter 2: April - June
Quarterly News and Highlights from the Environmental Management (EM) Division
The EM Insight is a quarterly report from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Environmental Management Division that profiles some of the great results that staff, teams and partnerships have achieved. The division is pleased to present the following highlights from April - June 2026.
In This Edition
Headline News
DNR Recognizes Importance of Clean Air During Clean Air Month
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recognizes Clean Air Month every May, emphasizing the importance of clean air and the impact it has on our health and environment.
One of Wisconsin's highest air quality priorities continues to be addressing ozone nonattainment. Ozone exposure can lead to or worsen numerous health issues, especially for children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions. In combination with Clean Air Month, the DNR hosted its annual Air, Air, Everywhere poetry contest for Wisconsin's 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students. To view this year's winning entries, visit the DNR's Poetry Contest webpage.
Partners Celebrate Completion of Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Project
DNR Secretary Karen Hyun joined Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District and other Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern partners for a news conference on May 5 to celebrate completion of the Estabrook Falls Fish Passage Project. Native fish such as lake sturgeon and northern pike can now swim farther upstream on the Milwaukee River than they have in more than a century. Learn more about the project.
This project is part of a larger effort to restore the Milwaukee Estuary AOC and is one of many projects benefiting from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Federal GLRI funding helps Great Lakes communities clean up pollution and restore healthy populations of fish and wildlife species and their habitats.
Environmental Management Staff Support the 2026 Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Convention
The 2026 Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention is a statewide event that brings together scientists, water resource professionals, educators, students and waterfront property owners to share insights, connections and inspiration. The DNR Lakes & Rivers Section is a sponsor for the annual Convention and provides contractual support for the Extension Lakes staff who coordinate this effort.
This year's theme, Decades of Dedication, looked back on the long-term programs and cumulative actions of countless people who have devoted themselves to solving Wisconsin's water challenges and protecting our amazing lakes and rivers.
Many staff from the Bureau of Water Quality and Office of Great Waters served on the planning team, led hands-on workshops, gave presentations and participated in the poster session. One of the highlights of the conference involved a panel of retired and current DNR staff who reflected on their years of experience working under the Lakes Partnership model. During the evening award ceremony and banquet, Tim Asplund, DNR monitoring section manager, received the Excellence in Professional Service award for his years of service towards protecting and restoring Wisconsin's waters.
The DNR staff and partners are well underway with planning for the 2027 Convention (April 14-16, 2027). Additional details can be found on the Wisconsin Water Week website.
DNR Accepted Feedback About PFAS Law Program Development
In May, the DNR hosted a PFAS listening session for Tribal communities and then, in June, a series of PFAS listening sessions focused on the needs of communities, conservation groups, analytical laboratories and environmental contractors. These listening sessions allowed the DNR staff to gather input about priorities for use of the PFAS Trust Fund for consideration while developing these programs. Additionally, the DNR hosted a listening session open to the general public. Over 400 people attended these listening sessions, and the DNR received feedback including that:
- the grant application process needs to be simple.
- people need more information about how to protect themselves from exposure.
- people want to better understand where PFAS are found in the environment across the state, particularly in groundwater.
- people want to easily access data about where PFAS are found.
- coordination is needed between different governmental agencies and levels of government.
- people want assistance with funding private well sampling.
The DNR also created a survey tool to collect feedback from those who were unable to attend a listening session or preferred to provide written feedback. Staff actively considered the suggestions shared by community members during the listening sessions and through the survey while working to develop and implement these new programs.
While the initial feedback period closed on June 30, the DNR is still accepting comments and questions through the survey and additional feedback will be used for refinement of these programs.
New and Updated Resources
Keep Informed About PFAS Law Implementation With A New Webpage and GovDelivery List
On May 14, the DNR launched a new webpage that summarizes the DNR's PFAS law implementation activities and includes opportunities for the public to provide input on implementation, an expected timeline, implementation goals and a summary of prior actions.
The DNR also created a new GovDelivery topic for PFAS law implementation. GovDelivery allows the DNR to share information about specific topics of interest with those who have chosen to receive email or text updates about that topic. The recipient is able to manage preferences and can unsubscribe at any point.
By creating a GovDelivery topic specific for implementation of the PFAS laws, the DNR can share information about public input opportunities, grant application periods or other applicable information with those who are highly interested in these programs without the recipient needing to actively track the DNR's activities.
Waste Reduction and Diversion in Wisconsin Schools: Quick Steps for School and District Staff (WA-1561)
The recently revised Waste Reduction and Diversion in Wisconsin Schools: Quick Steps for School and District Staff (WA-1561) resource provides guidance on how schools can evaluate their waste streams and implement practices to reduce the amount of waste they generate. It outlines actionable steps that schools can take, such as forming a Green Team or establishing a share table in the cafeteria. Ultimately, these actions save money, recover valuable resources and build a more sustainable school community. Along with the publication, the DNR published two webpages devoted to schools: Waste Reduction and Diversion in Wisconsin Schools and Creating a Successful Waste Reduction and Diversion Program.
New Can I Haul? Tool
Several types of solid, hazardous and infectious waste transporters require DNR transporter licenses to operate. Determining whether a waste hauler needs a license can be challenging.
The DNR developed the Can I Haul? Tool to help. The online tool guides users through a series of questions about hauling various materials. The tool is completely anonymous, and no personally identifiable information is collected. The DNR also recently revised its Guidance on Requirements for Haulers of Solid Waste or Recyclables.
Social Media Spotlight
April 25, 2026 was the 30th anniversary of National Drug Take Back Day.
- 135,691 impressions on Facebook
The Mississippi River is vital to our nation's health. It's the centerpiece of a $500 billion/year natural resource and recreation-based economy, employing more than 1.5 million Americans and is an important shipping corridor.
- 19,628 impressions on Facebook
- 2,389 impressions on LinkedIn
Private well owners should consider testing their drinking water after significant rainfall and flooding, especially if they observe changes to the taste, color or sediment levels.
- 185,609 impressions on Nextdoor
Have you always wanted to try composting but don't know how? Start today on Learn About Composting Day.
- 68,974 impressions on Facebook
Recycling facilities, landfills, garbage trucks and other parts of the waste and recycling industry in Wisconsin are experiencing frequent and sometimes devastating fires.
- 137,880 impressions on Facebook