*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 trainings about seed production, forest management for wildlife, pest trends, research projects, apple tree grafting, chainsaw maintenance and the educational resource of the month.
University Of Minnesota Extension
ACORNS – Access, Collection, Organization, And Redistribution Of Nuts And Seeds
In this session, participants will learn about the many roles involved in tree seed production. Casual collectors, phenology fanatics, and mindful land managers all have a part to play in growing resilient forests. Speaker: Kira Pollack, Extension educator, forestry
When: March 28, 2025, 9 – 10 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register online
Forest Management For Wildlife
UMN Extension is hosting a series of free webinars on forest management for wildlife. Join UMN Extension to learn how to identify the stage of your forest, discover which wildlife thrive in each stage and explore management strategies that create resilient habitats while meeting economic and environmental goals.
When: April 2, 9, 16, 2025, 12 – 1 p.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register online
Integrated Vegetation Management On Electric Transmission Lines Rights-of-Way: Effects On Ground Beetles, Vegetation And Native Birds
Dr. Carolyn Mahan will present her recent updates from her State Games Land project, “Long term effects of electrical right-of-way vegetation management on floral and faunal communities.” State Games Land Project is a partnership supported by Asplundh Tree Expert, PECO, Corteva Agriscience and First Energy.
When: April 8, 2025, 12 p. m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register online
“They’re Coming…The 2025 Pests Of The Landscape”
Join Margery Daughtrey, PhD, and Daniel Gilrein, Cornell University, as they return to discuss the potential insects and diseases of importance for the upcoming growing season. CEUs available.
When: April 10, 2025, 11 a.m.
Where: Online
Cost: Free
Register online
Agroforestry: Apple Tree Grafting With Dan Bussey
Participants will learn how to graft 3 species of apples currently growing at our permaculture farm onto M-2 semi-dwarf root stock. Registered participants get to take home 3 grafted apple trees in 7-gallon felt pots.
When: April 12, 2025, 12 – 4 p.m.
Where: Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Hwy Y (Hawthorne Dr), Saukville, WI
Cost: Member $100, Non-member $110
Register online
Chainsaw Startup And Maintenance: Women Only Class
Do you want to become more informed on chainsaw operation and maintenance? Join this women’s only class and study with chainsaw experts. This workshop will:
- Introduce various saw models and sizes, helping find your best fit for the job ahead.
- Showcase accessories and personal protective equipment
- Practice starting saws safely (without a toothed chain)
- Review chainsaw anatomy and maintenance (cleaning, diagnostics, disassembly, common troubleshooting, seasonal maintenance, gas treatments, specialty bar oils, bar conditioning)
- Reading chains and filing demonstration
*Please bring a chainsaw if you have one. If you don’t have a saw, one can be provided for use at the training.
When: May 6, 2025, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Hwy Y (Hawthorne Dr), Saukville, WI
Cost: Member $65, Non-member $75
Register online by May 4
Chainsaw Startup And Maintenance: Open To All Ages 18+
Do you want to become more informed on chainsaw operation and maintenance? This workshop will:
- Introduce various saw models and sizes, helping find your best fit for the job ahead.
- Showcase accessories and personal protective equipment
- Practice starting saws safely (without a toothed chain)
- Review chainsaw anatomy and maintenance (cleaning, diagnostics, disassembly, common troubleshooting, seasonal maintenance, gas treatments, specialty bar oils, bar conditioning)
- Reading chains and filing demonstration
*Please bring a chainsaw if you have one. If you don’t have a saw, one can be provided for use at the training.
When: May 8, 2025, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Hwy Y (Hawthorne Dr), Saukville, WI
Cost: Member $65, Non-member $75
Register online by May 6
Spring 2025 Course: Focal Species for Land Management
This program is aimed at active land managers and ecological consultants. It will meet one day a week for 4 weeks at the Mequon Nature Preserve.
This course will examine how land managers can use the Focal Species concept for improving land stewardship for wildlife. These are usually species that need a helping hand because they are in regional decline or have special habitat requirements. The course will examine defining and selecting Focal Species appropriate for a project area, understanding their particular habitat needs and how to develop a habitat plan around these needs with specific habitat management actions and criteria. Example data sets will be provided, and students should be prepared to run the process of Focal Species selection and design for a property they actively manage, on a species group of their choice. Case studies and examples provided will be mostly examining herptiles, birds, mammals, and a few invertebrates (terrestrial crayfish, insects). Email Cory Gritzmacher at coryg@mequonnaturepreserve.org or call 262-242-8055 extension 108 with any questions.
When: Session 1: Wednesdays, 2–4 p.m. – March 19, March 26, April 2, and April 9
Session 2: Thursdays, 2–4 p.m. – April 3, 10, 17 and 24
Where: Mequon Nature Preserve, 8200 W. County Line Rd, Mequon, WI 53097
Cost: $250
Register online
Educational Resource Of The Month: Morton Arboretum On-demand Classes
Visit the Morton Arboretum to participate in on-demand workshops online. The cost to participate varies.
Topics include:
- How to Create a Food Forest
- Intro to Gardening with Native Plants
- The Health Benefits of Trees
- Basic Tree ID
- Woodland Ecology
- And more!
To see all of the on-demand workshops visit the Morton Arboretum program page and look for the 
indicator below the workshop title.
To access the class, you will log into TreeLearning, the Arboretum’s online learning portal. Instructions for accessing TreeLearning will be sent to registrants by email from TreeLearning@mortonarb.org following registration. You have access to the course for 60 days, and can complete the materials anytime. Complete the self-paced e-learning modules with reading material, short videos, interactive activities and quizzes to check your understanding.