WXPR The Stream

Phytoremediation is the process of using plants to clean up waste.It’s been used across the U.S. on sites like landfills, mines, and urban brownfields.The U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Lab in Rhinelander has become a leader in a specific phytoremediation method. It’s been working to share that method with Forest Service partners around the world.

The Lac Vieux Desert Tribe will begin growing medicinal and culturally significant plants at the J. W. Toumey Nursery in the Ottawa National Forest.It’s a first-of-its-kind partnership in the U.S.

The Ojibwe have long looked to Lake Lac Vieux Desert for its food sources.But there’s been major declines in wild rice and walleye in recent years that impact the Lac Vieux Desert Tribe’s food sovereignty.The tribe is now working with the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest on a project to help improve the two species populations.

Dozens of wildfires burning hundreds of thousands of acres are currently burning out west in both the U.S. and Canada.The last few summers brought smoke from fires just like them to the Northwoods, dropping air quality to some of the worst levels seen in the region in years.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency announced new rules that will force American coal plants to either close or cut back 90 percent of their carbon emissions.

Just a few years ago, the very existence of Town Line Lake Park was in jeopardy.

Habitat destruction is the driving force behind pollinator population decline.In response, the No Mow May movement started about five years ago to encourage people to leave some flowers for the bees in early spring.

Nearly 70,000 acres in Oneida, Forest, and Langlade Counties are under conservation easements to be protected in perpetuity.The Pelican River Forest is praised by conservationists for protecting increasingly rare contiguous forestland in the state.

The time of year - spring - is but one important factor playing into the intensity of frog calls.

Trees for Tomorrow in Eagle River has several invasive species it’s working to remove from its campus.The work happened to align with a new program Blackwell Job Corps in Forest County is piloting.