Wisconsin is full of talented artists, photographers, and writers, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides opportunities to showcase their work.

Recently, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Office of Great Waters announced it was taking submissions for its annual photo and writing project contest.

The top contributions will be showcased in the annual "Wisconsin's Great Waters" calendar, with sales helping support the state's efforts to highlight and protect the natural resources of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and the Mississippi River.

Submissions for that contest will be accepted through April 1, 2026, and now the DNR has announced it's taking submissions for two more annual contests.

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2027 Turkey, Pheasant And Waterfowl Stamp Contests Are Now Open

Every year, local artists from across Wisconsin compete for the opportunity to showcase their talents, commemorate their work, and promote wildlife conservation across the state through the Wild Turkey, Pheasant, and Waterfowl Stamp Design Contests.

The Wisconsin DNR announced that it is now accepting artwork entries for this year's contest, and the winning designs will appear on the 2027 collection of stamps.

Hunters are required to purchase a species-specific stamp to legally harvest any of these game birds in Wisconsin. The sales of these three stamps generate hundreds of thousands of dollars annually for species management throughout the state, including habitat management, restoration, education, and research projects.

Stamp design entries must be received or postmarked by Saturday, August 1, 2026. Judging will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Waterfowl Hunters Expo in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The winners of the 2026 contests were:

  • Wild Turkey – Sam Timm of Wautoma
  • Pheasant – Caleb Metrich of Lake Tomahawk
  • Waterfowl – Sam Timm of Wautoma

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All stamp contest applicants are advised to review the contest rules carefully to ensure the eligibility of their entries. Artwork must meet technical requirements to be properly processed and prepared for judging and display.

Registration, rules, entry information, and reproduction rights agreements are available on the DNR’s Wildlife Stamp Funding and Stamp Design Contest webpage.

Stamp contest applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain insurance for their artwork if shipped and to confirm the delivery of their submission directly with the stamp contest coordinator.

2026 Wisconsin State Fair Main Stage Performers

Here is the schedule of all of the performing acts that have been announced to play at the Bank Five Nine Main Stage at the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair. As more acts are announced, we'll update this schedule.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Wisconsin UFO Sightings Reported in in 2025

A total of 74 sightings were reported via the National UFO Reporting Center across the state of Wisconsin in 2025, a sharp increase from the 50 reports in Wisconsin in 2024, which was also an increase from the 47 reports in Wisconsin in 2023.

Reports around Wisconsin in 2025 included places like Superior, Madison, Solon Springs, Sheboygan, Oconomowoc, and elsewhere around the state. Here is a rundown of each reported UFO sighting of 2025.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth