By Jenn Janness, Urban Forestry Council Liaison, jennipher.janness@wisconsin.gov or 715-815-7173
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Division of Forestry recently welcomed six new members to the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council and said farewell to three members who contributed much to the council. In addition, four council members renewed their commitment for another three-year term. Linda Cadotte was also confirmed as the chair and will serve for two years.
New council members left to right: Greg Blick, Mitch Lannan, Evan Miller, Kristi Sherfinski and Allen Pyle (not pictured, Jeff Kluslow)
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is an advisory committee to the DNR’s Division of Forestry, guiding the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. The council is comprised of 24 people appointed by the DNR Secretary.
Members represent the diverse groups and interests that impact our state’s urban and community forests, including representatives from professional organizations, private business owners, educators, green industry employees, nonprofit/service organizations, governmental agencies, municipalities of various sizes, utilities, concerned citizens and trade organizations throughout the state.
Greg Blick is the Ho-Chunk Nation forestry division manager. Blick has done urban tree inventories across the U.S and worked in the private tree care industry. He has been employed with the Ho-Chunk Nation for about five years.
Jeff Kluslow works for the city of Milwaukee as an urban forestry district manager. He started as an intern in 1997 and held almost every position in the department before becoming district manager for the north side of Milwaukee.
Mitch Lannan is Wisconsin’s forest entomologist with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. He has been employed by the states of Wisconsin and Arizona, monitoring and managing pests in both traditional and urban forestry and led a multi-state invasive species council.
Evan Miller joins the council representing the League of Wisconsin Municipalities as the government affairs specialist. His prior experience includes serving in the legislature for nine years, working on dozens of natural resources-related issues and serving two sessions as the clerk of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Energy.
Allen Pyle is an outreach specialist for UW-Madison Extension. He has over 25 years of experience in the private sector garden and landscaping industry, and his expertise includes North American native plants, plant propagation and integrated pest management.
Kristi Sherfinski is a professional landscape architect and an assured wetland delineator for the state of Wisconsin. Her M.S. in botany and B.S. in landscape architecture, combined with her knowledge of wetland ecology and an interest in the role urban forests play in climate change, bring a unique skill set to the council.
Urban Forestry Council members gathered at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland in June to vote in new members.
Outgoing council members are Tricia Gorby, Shahla Werner and Randy Krouse. Their insight and involvement over the past several years have been a significant asset to the Urban Forestry Council. Their contributions truly helped to advance urban forestry initiatives in Wisconsin.
“It is an honor to be part of the important work this council has done over the years—advising the DNR and raising awareness about the value of urban forestry in Wisconsin. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the departing council members and to those who will continue to serve. We are excited to welcome six new members who bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the council. I also want to thank outgoing Chair Matt Koepnick for his outstanding leadership over the past two years. I look forward to serving as chair and continuing to support the vital mission of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council,” said Linda Cadotte, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Chair.