THE BRIGHT SIDE
Walworth County will be getting treatment from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for spongy moths.
Spongy moth caterpillars feed on many tree and shrub species, stripping trees of their leaves and potentially killing them. Spongy moth outbreaks occur every five to 10 years. 2023 saw a huge outbreak, mostly in northern Wisconsin. Generally, healthy hardwoods can endure one or two years of heavy defoliation before tree mortality occurs. Healthy trees typically produce a replacement set of leaves a few weeks after defoliation. However, this process uses energy reserves and weakens the tree, making it more vulnerable to mortality in combination with other insects, diseases, or drought stress.
The DNR is trying to preserve and save as many trees as possible. Especially in the park areas. The aerial spraying will occur between early May and early June, with exact dates and times depending on caterpillar development and weather conditions. Treatment areas include 124 acres at Big Foot Beach State Park and 49 acres at Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit. Law enforcement, local governments, schools, and nearby medical facilities will be notified before spraying.
They all stayed out of the election and the GSR noticed.
Years ago, three entities that were very much involved in the local elections ran almost amok in open campaigning for certain candidates. The police department, not so much, but the fire department, under old and unenlightened management back then, was so fully involved that firemen went door-to-door in uniform favoring certain candidates. The local Lutheran Church, the one over there on Edwards, was up to its neck in weekly sermons favoring certain candidates and even having many of them sitting in front pews for Sunday services.
Well, those days have thankfully passed and the current leadership of all three of these entities is all the stuff of intellect, class, and respect for what they do rather than the local leadership they might favor. Great fire chief and staff, great police chief and staff, and wonderful leaders of the church. A community hat trick, so to speak, and it’s a pleasure to be able to write and publish such information.
