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

“Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.”

Those were the words of Wisconsin’s most prominent conservation expert, Aldo Leopold, who authored the famous book, “A Sand County Almanac” among his many achievements.

This month, everyone in Wisconsin will have the chance to follow Leopold’s advice – even if in a small way, because many small efforts can add up to a prominent positive impact on Wisconsin’s trees and forests.

An entire week will be filled with projects, events and volunteer opportunities:

• Earth Day is set for Tuesday, April 22
• Arbor Day will be observed on Friday, April 25
• And the period from April 22 to April 25 has been designated Forest Appreciation Week in Wisconsin.

“Everyone can help in ensuring that both (Earth Day and Arbor Day) continue to serve a vital role in the ecological, cultural and economic health of our state, our local communities and our individual lives,” said Carmen Hardin, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Applied Forestry bureau director.

Half of Wisconsin’s land mass is covered by forestland – 17 million acres – that provides ecological, economic and aesthetic benefits to residents, visitors and wildlife. And millions of urban trees provide many benefits to city dwellers.

To maintain these benefits, work must be done to provide stewardship for Wisconsin’s forest resources. Some of the projects, past and present, being pursued by Wisconsinites (with more to come):

Trillion Trees Initiative

Wisconsin participates in the Trillion Trees Initiative, a tree planting and forest conservation pledge that encompasses rural and urban areas and helps to protect forestland from development. Last year, Gov. Tony Evers upped the ante for Wisconsin’s participation in the Trillion Trees Initiative by a third, increasing it to 100 million trees planted by 2030.

Tree City USA

Also, Wisconsin has the second-highest total of locations in the nation designated as Tree City USA communities by the Arbor Day Foundation. Every Wisconsin city with a population of more than 30,000 people is a Tree City USA community, including the largest 27 communities in the state by population (2020 census).

Seedlings To Fourth Graders

Wisconsin is working to educate students and enlist their help in preserving and improving Wisconsin’s forests and trees. Each year, the DNR enlists fourth-grade students all over the state to plant seedlings in their communities.

Last year, the DNR donated more than 49,000 seedlings to fourth-grade classrooms as part of Arbor Day and forestry units to help students learn about the importance of trees.

The effort is part of the DNR’s reforestation program, which has supplied Wisconsin landowners with more than 1.6 billion seedlings since 1911.

A DNR brochure provides a step-by-step guide to planting a tree and tips for keeping it healthy.

Girl Scouts In Action

The Badgerland Council of the Girl Scouts of America will receive at least 500 seedlings to distribute at their Arbor Day event, called “ReTREEve Your Seedlings.” Participants will receive credit toward badges by participating.

Linda Williams, DNR’s Forest Health specialist for northeast Wisconsin, gave a presentation during a virtual kickoff meeting for the event.

Knee-High Naturalist

On Saturday, April 19, Richard Bong State Recreation Area will play host to a “Knee-high Naturalist – Earth Day Everyday” event for parents with children aged 3 to 5. The event will run from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and will include a story, crafting and a hike. Contact Emily Cole for more information or call 262-818-1712.

Earth Day

Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Sen. Gaylord Nelson, a Wisconsin native and one-time governor who died in 2005. The annual observation endures, and each year Wisconsinites are welcomed to volunteer in the Wisconsin State Park System as part of a statewide event series called “Work Play Earth Day.”

To find nearby Work Play Earth Day events – and other related volunteer opportunities tied to Earth Day, Arbor Day and Forest Appreciation Week – check the DNR events calendar and search by date, location, type of event or other keywords.

Individuals are also invited to seek more information about joining their favorite state park’s Friends group.

Tree Planting Event

On Saturday, April 26, High Cliff State Park will hold an Arbor Day tree planting and park clean-up event. Visitors will meet at 9 a.m. at the Gathering Site building near the tower. Lunch will be provided at noon by Friends of High Cliff State Park. For more information or to register groups larger than five people, contact Nathan Jacques or call 920-989-1106.