Events

International Mass Timber Conference

Posted on by akabelowsky
A booth made entirely of mass plywood is displayed at an expo.

Freres, an Oregon-based mass plywood producer, created this unique booth entirely from mass plywood. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Alex Anderson, Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Specialist

For the last 10 years, stakeholders in the mass timber industry have gathered in Portland, Oregon, for the annual International Mass Timber Conference (IMTC).

The 2026 IMTC was well-attended by a variety of businesses showing off their wares: mass timber fastener manufacturers, mass plywood and cross-laminated timber (CLT) producers and fabricators, engineering and building firms specializing in mass timber applications, and many others from a host of different sectors came to network and show off new, unique products. More than 3,000 attendees from 28 different countries attended the 2026 IMTC, which was about six times the size of the inaugural event, held in 2016, and nearly twice the size of the event five years ago.

Continue reading “International Mass Timber Conference” →

Forest Products Webinar Series: Recordings Available Now

Posted on by akabelowsky

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products Service Team recently completed its webinar series highlighting Wisconsin’s forest industry. The sessions focused on product utilization and market development for urban wood, biochar and mass timber, along with economic trends for state and county economic development.

Webinar recordings are available to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge that support sustainable growth across Wisconsin’s forest sector. Details of the sessions are as follows:

Continue reading “Forest Products Webinar Series: Recordings Available Now” →

Calendar Of Events

Posted on by akabelowsky

LSLA Hardwood Lumber Grading Class – July 27-29, 2026

LSLA Education will offer a Hardwood Lumber Grading Short Course in Antigo, Wisconsin, from July 27-29, 2026. The course is open to everyone interested in lumber grading. This class is targeted at beginners and therefore will be ideal for sawyers, edgermen, trimmermen, grading trainees, salespeople, managers and supervisors. This course will cover topics such as clear vs. sound cuttings, wood characteristics and defects, hardwood lumber manufacturing standards, species, kiln dried lumber and hands-on lumber grading. For complete details, including the topics that will be covered in the course, list of area hotels and registration link, see the brochure.

Continue reading “Calendar Of Events” →

Spring Weather Damages Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky

Red pine damaged by the April 2nd, 2026, ice storm in central Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690

Spring 2026 has seen a variety of tree stress events. Wisconsin trees have experienced snow and ice damage, severe storms that resulted in wind, hail and flood damage and swings in temperatures that brought leaf out and subsequent frost damage.

Continue reading “Spring Weather Damages Trees” →

Invasive Species Action Month: Action Awards, Awareness Weekend

Posted on by akabelowsky

The 2025 winners of the Invasive Species Action Awards. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Mackenzie Manicki, DNR Invasive Plant Specialist, Madison

In Wisconsin, June is Invasive Species Action Month (ISAM), and plenty of activities are planned to educate and motivate residents and visitors into action.

Invasive species are defined as nonnative organisms whose introduction can cause harm to the environment, the economy, or pose threats to human health.

Continue reading “Invasive Species Action Month: Action Awards, Awareness Weekend” →

Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
A worker in the woods, holding a young tree to be planted.

Wisconsin DNR Forest Insect Pest Specialist Mike Hillstrom gives a presentation during a New Forester Training session in Marinette County in 2024. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Mike Hillstrom, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, will give a public presentation on forest invasive species from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 20, at Lake Kegonsa State Park in Stoughton.

The talk will be part of the informational and educational events sponsored as part of the DNR’s Invasive Species Awareness Weekend.

Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Appearances” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness

group of people learning to plant a tree* These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events including i-Tree, American elm research, oak health issues, invasives and private equity. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (second from right) joins educators working with the Lodi School Forest during a tree planting event on Arbor Day 2026.

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov; 608-335-0167

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers didn’t have to go out on a limb to make this announcement.

By issuing a Governor’s Proclamation last month, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognized Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day.

Continue reading “Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests” →

Forest Health Specialist Paul Cigan Spreads The News

Posted on by akabelowsky

Paul Cigan (in black hat) discusses the health of a tree with fellow Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialists Bill McNee and Linda Williams in Cambridge. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Paul Cigan, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for Northwest Wisconsin, has planned a public discussion for Tuesday, June 30, in Ashland.

Cigan will give a presentation on “Invasive Insects and Diseases” and take questions from those in attendance at the event, set for 6 p.m. June 30 at the Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, 29270 County Hwy. G, Ashland.

Continue reading “Forest Health Specialist Paul Cigan Spreads The News” →

Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

Wisconsin Arborist Association LogoThe Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) is accepting presentations for the 2027 Annual Conference to be held in Green Bay, WI on Feb. 14-16, 2027. This three-day event attracts approximately 950 attendees including professional arborists, community foresters, nursery professionals, utility workers, park/recreation staff, other green industry professionals, educators and students.

If you are interested in speaking at this conference, please complete the online form. Please make sure that the form is filled out completely to be considered. Continue reading “Call For Urban Forestry Presentations: Due July 1, 2026” →