Greetings All,

From my desk outside Duluth I know that spring is on the way but it can be hard tell as I continue to see snow on the ground and in the forecast. It’s this time of year when I can’t help but laugh remembering the Simpsons complaining about “Smarch” weather. Smarch seems to be the perfect way to describe the weeks of winter when the suns rays are finally winning the battle against winter’s icy grip.

Texts and conversations with folks from our “southern climate” states confirm that indeed lakes are thawing, creeks are running, marshes are filled with the signature sound of redwing blackbirds, turkeys are gobbling, and high above are prehistoric screeching echoes from sandhill cranes flying northward.

Although Smarch can feel like the doldrums of outdoor adventure there is still so much that Minnesotas outdoors has to offer.

Shed antler hunting? Early foraging? Fishing the spring runs of native Suckers and Redhorse? A trip to Grand Marais for one last taste of snow? Yes, please!

The itch to get on the newly liquified water can be strong. If you decide to dip a paddle in the water please exercise caution as meltwaters can change typically calm waterways into powerful and unpredictable currents. Even calm waters are still colder than they look. Wearing a PFD and telling someone of your adventure plans are a must this time of year.

As a newer resident of an area of the state where black bears are common I got a clear warning last year that I had not done enough to store my grill and bird-feeders properly. A ruckus on our second story walk out deck turned out to be a large bear that had scaled it’s way up with ease. Minnesota is bear country. Make sure to be bear aware!

Thank you all for supporting the Minnesota Wildlife Federation. I look forward to continuing our work together. Please reach out anytime.

If you aren’t already a supporting MWF through a financial donation I ask that you consider making a donation today. All funds raised directly support our mission and stay in Minnesota.

Yours in Conservation,

Brad Gausman

[email protected]

Rapid and large-scale changes to Minnesotas lands and waters mean wildlife are losing their homes. With some simple changes, you can transform your backyard, front yard, garden beds, or almost any outdoor space into a wildlife refuge filled with resources for bees, butterflies, birds, and amphibians.

Through the National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat program, you can work with the National Wildlife Federation and Minnesota Wildlife Federation to turn yards, neighborhoods, schoolyards, work landscapes, places of worship, and roadside green spaces into havens for Minnesota wildlife.

In celebration of Native Plant Month save 20% off certification with code: GARDEN20

MWF Executive Director Brad Gausman is leading a work group of the MN DNR Fish and Wildlife Advisory Committee to suggest potential changes to the Minnesota annual fishing license.

Currently, as defined in state statute, all annual fishing licenses expire at the end of February.

Q: Would a new model defining an annual fishing license as being valid for one year from its date of purchase be a improvement to the current system in which all licenses expire on the last day of February?

Q: As license sales move towards an electronic format would you like your annual licenses to auto-renew?

Let Brad know what you think.

Alan was born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a true Yooper, with a great passion for the environment and outdoor activities. A lifelong forager, Alan spends much of the year hunting mushrooms, berries, nuts, herbs, and wild rice. He also enjoys camping, trips to the Boundary Waters, fishing, disc golf, and cross-country skiing. Amongst these activities it’s common to find Alan carrying several pounds of camera gear. Since borrowing his first camera in 2020, Alan has grown to be an award-winning wildlife and nature photographer.

Drawn here for education, Alan has been living in Minnesota since 2011. He has a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.S. in Forest Hydrology and Watershed Management. Now, Alan is a research scientist in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota where he primarily studies forest soils, hydrology, and nutrient cycling in wet ecosystems all over the state and upper Midwest.

Alan hopes to empower people to connect with nature through his photography and love of wild foods.

Recently Alan won multiple photography awards at the annal banquet of the Minnesota Mycological Society. Amazing work Alan!