2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced

Posted on by janness

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2026 grant year. The program helps fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy.

The Urban Forestry Grant Program is distributing almost $550,000 in grant funds. A dollar-for-dollar match puts the total estimated cost of these projects over $1.2 million. In total, 38 applications were selected to receive funding, with awards ranging from $2,128 to $25,000. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced” →

Community Spotlight: Outreach Examples From Western Wisconsin

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By Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov or 608-556-5690

Trees are good. For those who hold trees in high esteem, this simple statement feels as much a universal truth as the sky being blue or the sun rising in the east. It can feel unfathomable that anyone might hold a contrasting opinion.

Luckily, if you are of the trees are good persuasion, there’s plenty of research out there to support your stance. Oxygen production, air pollutant removal, stormwater reduction and filtration, lower energy bills, increased property values, food sources, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and calming aesthetics are just a few oft-touted benefits provided by trees. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Outreach Examples From Western Wisconsin” →

DNR Announces Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients

Posted on by janness

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the recipients of the Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants to assist with damage sustained during severe storms that took place Aug. 9, 2025. Catastrophic storm grants range from $4,000 to $50,000 and do not require a dollar-for-dollar match. Grant funding was distributed among the following three communities: Continue reading “DNR Announces Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients” →

Governor Tony Evers Digs Into Planting Trees With Volunteers In Oshkosh

Posted on by janness

By Travis Derks, City of Oshkosh Landscape Operations Manager
TDerks@oshkoshwi.gov or 920-236-5080.

Photo Credit: City of Oshkosh

When presented with an offer in October of donated trees to be planted by volunteers with just over a month to plan, the City of Oshkosh didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge. Cummins Inc. (in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers) was looking to plant around 40 trees with 30 volunteers somewhere in Oshkosh by the end of this year. Continue reading “Governor Tony Evers Digs Into Planting Trees With Volunteers In Oshkosh” →

Community Spotlight: Rhinelander — How One Small Community Is Making Urban Forestry A Priority

Posted on by janness

By Tom Jerow, Rhinelander City Forester

View of the same street before and after urban forestry efforts.

The City of Rhinelander, like many communities with populations under 10,000, has struggled to maintain a vibrant urban forestry program. Funding and staffing are its main challenges. The city also faces a variety of urban forestry issues, including pests and diseases, species diversity, community engagement, catastrophic ice storms and aging sewer and water infrastructure. The latter is one of the most significant challenges. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Rhinelander — How One Small Community Is Making Urban Forestry A Priority” →

Repurpose Your Holiday Tree!

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

To say that working on a Christmas tree farm in high school led me into forestry would be a case of significant historical revisionism. Still, that experience swam in the same waters as reading Lord of the Rings, going on family vacations to the mountains, having a nearby municipal forest and other things that showed me that trees were the way.

Since then, I have increasingly appreciated holiday trees and other green things brought into households, not (just) in the harbinger-of-gifts way, but as reminders of life against a cold, seemingly bleak background. “Things will get better,” these green things announce. “Just wait!” Continue reading “Repurpose Your Holiday Tree!” →

Upcoming Trainings

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*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events, including ISA certification exam preparation, plant propagation, winter tree identification, urban forest restoration, research trends and electrical hazards. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings” →

White Pine Blister Rust Can Devastate Young Stands

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Tim Shively, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Timothy.Shively@wisconsin.gov or 608-772-6974

A close-up photo of a white pine blister rust canker as seen on a young white pine tree.

A white pine blister rust canker as seen on a young white pine tree. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus) has historically held great ecological, cultural and economic value throughout Wisconsin, a tradition which continues today. For more than 100 years, however, it has been threatened by a non-native, invasive fungal pathogen called Cronartium ribicola, or white pine blister rust (WPBR).

Continue reading “White Pine Blister Rust Can Devastate Young Stands” →

Impacts Of Winter Weather On Trees

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov

A stand of pines shows heavy damage from an ice storm in April 2025.

A stand of pines shows heavy damage from an ice storm in April 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Winter damage can significantly impact the health of trees. Keeping trees healthy through the fall is important for reducing winter stress. Provide water as needed to trees until the leaves start falling (for deciduous trees) or until the ground starts freezing (for conifers).

Continue reading “Impacts Of Winter Weather On Trees” →