Health Dunn Right

06/12/2026

🌿 Interested in conservation and healthy land management?

Join us on July 15 for an evening of learning and exploring! See real-life examples of forest regeneration, prairie restoration, pollinator habitat, and conservation programs in action.

🍽️ Eat at 5:30 PM
🚜 Tour at 6:30 PM
📍 N11471 765th St, Colfax, WI

Meet at the red shed and enjoy a guided tour hosted by Red Cedar Conservation Farmers.

Come learn how farmers and landowners are helping protect natural resources, support pollinators, and keep our landscapes healthy for future generations.

We hope to see you there!

06/11/2026

A huge congratulations to our Housing Access Co-Chair Luisa! ✨

👏 Congratulations to our own Luisa Gerasimo, Senior Human Development and Relationships Educator in Dunn County, who has been named a Distinguished Educator by UW–Madison!

🏅 The distinguished title recognizes extensive experience, advanced skills and knowledge, reputation and remarkable contributions to the profession.

Luisa’s many noteworthy accomplishments include:

⭐ Leading and co-leading the Dunn County Housing Action Team. This alliance came out of the Community Health Improvement Plan via the Dunn County Health Department in 2019. She has invested in this group because having a safe and affordable place to live is foundational to family wellness. 🏡

⭐ Growing The Literacy Link program’s “Making Reading Memories” in the local jail to record numbers over the course of the last four years in partnership with the Dunn County Jail Program Director, Heather Pyka. 📚

⭐ Consistently contributing to multiple state teams and marketing classes and resources to the region, resulting in local residents and service providers regularly taking advantage of educational programming. 🙌

⭐ Serving on boards like the United Way St. Croix & Red Cedar Valleys , where she helped create and launch a Day of Caring which now attracts hundreds of volunteers to serve local nonprofits, a value added of close to $17,000. 💗

🫶 Luisa, who has been a part of Extension since 2018, finds motivation in her work by relating to the families she supports.

"My family of origin had its own set of stressors: we moved a LOT, we struggled financially, our parents got divorced, and we also had love and found joy” she said. “When I work with local families, it is easy to feel motivated to help. Today's families are more stressed than ever, and society needs to do a better job centering our policies and energy on what families need to thrive."

🎆 Congratulations, Luisa, on your well-deserved recognition as a distinguished HDR educator. Thank you for your efforts and energy in our institute, in Dunn County and across the state!

Extension Dunn County UW Extension Health Dunn Right

06/11/2026

Heading to the lake? Be on the lookout for blue-green algae! Keep your family—especially young children and pets—away from water with noticeable discoloration or surface scum, foam, and algal mats.

Learn more: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p01888.pdf. 🦠

06/10/2026

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Child Care Community Conversation has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 24 due to weather and out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety.

The conversation will take place from 5:30–7:30 PM in the Riverview Room (Room 306) at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

New registration link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-child-care-conversation-tickets-1985442392643?aff=oddtdtcreator

UPDATE 06/10/2026:

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Child Care Community Conversation has been rescheduled to Wednesday, June 24 due to weather and out of an abundance of caution for everyone’s safety.

The conversation will take place from 5:30–7:30 PM in the Riverview Room (Room 306) at L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St, Eau Claire, WI 54701.

New registration link here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-child-care-conversation-tickets-1985442392643?aff=oddtdtcreator
---------------------------------------------------------------Community Child Care Conversation with Wisconsin Early Childcare Association.

Childcare is a big need in our community—and your voice matters.

Join a local conversation to share ideas and hear from families, providers, employers, and community leaders.

📅 Wednesday, June 10
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM
📍 L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

Let’s talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how we can improve childcare for families in Dunn County and nearby communities.

Learn more & sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-child-care-conversation-tickets-1985442392643?aff=oddtdtcreator

Stronger child care means stronger communities. 💚

06/09/2026

Thinking about going back to school? Two scholarships are available for non-traditional students in Dunn County, including funding for women returning to school and a scholarship that may cover full tuition for eligible students.

Applications are due July 1 at 5 p.m.

Visit the Community Foundation of Dunn County website for details and eligibility requirements.

Please share with someone who may benefit from this opportunity! 💙

06/09/2026

🚤🎣 Sharing Our Resources “On the Water”

Last Friday, our Health Dunn Right's Healthy Environment Action Team members were proud to support Sharing Our Resources “On the Water,” a special boating and fishing event hosted by the Dunn County Conservation Alliance.

The event welcomed older adults and individuals with mobility, systemic, or health-related disabilities for a fun day on the water. Participants enjoyed fishing, boat rides, good food, and time spent outdoors with friends and community members.

Access to nature and recreation can support both physical and mental well-being. Events like this help make sure everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Dunn County’s lakes and rivers.

A big thank you to the volunteers, organizers, and participants who made this day possible! 💙

🚤🎣🌊

06/04/2026

Last month we had many seed potatoes available, this month, we have more. Swing by the pantry during open hours and grab a bag or two. These are great for gardening but they are also edible, help us unload some bags so they do not go to waste.

06/04/2026

🦇 Bat-ter safe than sorry!

Bats are important for a healthy environment. They help control insect populations, including mosquitoes, and support healthy ecosystems.

However, bats can sometimes carry rabies. If you find a bat in your home, especially in a room where someone was sleeping, or if a person or pet may have had contact with a bat, do not release it until you have spoken with public health officials.

If you have questions about a possible bat exposure, contact the Dunn County Health Department at (715) 232-2388 for guidance.

By respecting wildlife and knowing what to do if an exposure occurs, we can help keep both people and bats safe. 🦇

Learn more here: https://dunncountywi.gov/?SEC={B0F4AA8E-90F4-423D-875A-CD74400B2901}

06/04/2026

June 6 - 7, Wisconsin residents and out-of-state visitors can fish state waters without buying a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp. 🐟

Free Fishing Weekend is June 6-7!

Wisconsin residents and out-of-state visitors can fish state waters without buying a fishing license, trout stamp or salmon stamp. However, please know all other fishing regulations, including bag limits, size limits and species restrictions, remain in effect.

There will be fishing clinics providing simple, hands-on instruction such as casting, knot tying, fish identification and basic fishing techniques for those new to this sport. Wisconsin DNR Tackle Loaner Sites located statewide has rods, reels and tackle for participants needing equipment.

To learn more about this weekend, fishing clinics and more, visit: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/anglereducation/freeFishingWeekend

Photo Credit: Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports

06/03/2026

Kids’ mental health and healthy relationships matter. Trying to navigate this alone can feel heavy. Extension Dunn County has the support you need. Use the QR code below for more information 💚

Parenting doesn’t come with a manual—but support makes all the difference. 💛
Join us this summer as we explore topics like everyday parenting, big family changes, kids’ mental health, and healthy relationships. Because when families have the right tools, children thrive.

Check out our upcoming parenting courses: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/class-calendar/