Laura Buntrock hosted an urban forestry booth at Rhinelander’s Earth Day Sustainability Fair, where she educated the public on the benefits of urban trees, provided resources and answered questions.
April and May might just be the busiest months of the year for the Urban Forestry staff. This small but mighty team participates in as many Arbor Day, Earth Day and Forest Appreciation Week events as they can fit into their schedules. Municipalities, schools and nonprofits tend to spread out their events over a couple months rather than scheduling them all on Arbor Day, which allows the staff to get to more events.
The Urban Forestry team’s involvement in these events varies and can include tree planting, seedling distribution, education and tree-related activities, such as competing for the loudest Arbor Day cheer. If you have an event you would like an Urban Forestry staff member to attend at any time of the year, get your request in early!
Here are just a few of the events that Urban Forestry staff attended.
Kids plant a tree in Cumberland. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Abby Krause spent Arbor Day with the city of Cumberland as they have their sights on becoming a Tree City USA for the first time in 2026. She spoke to their middle schoolers about the history of Arbor Day, the benefits of trees and management of invasive species. She then joined the natural resource classes as they planted seedlings around the school grounds. In the evening, Abby presented to community members at the local library on how to care for their yard trees, emphasizing emerald ash borer management strategies.
Elton Rogers got out and about to celebrate at events in Bayside, Cudahy, Fox Point, Glendale and Greenfield.
Anthony Spears (Cudahy DPW Superintendent) and Joe Mikolajczak (Cudahy City Arborist) joined Elton to showcase their Tree City USA plaque. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Kids in Bayside proudly displaying the Tree City USA flag. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Greenfield held their Arbor Day event at Joan Stevens Woods, which included tree planting, a band and celebrating their Tree City USA status since 1994.
Dan Buckler celebrated Arbor Day in Brookfield. Almost 100 first graders joined a dozen adults (city staff, educators, the mayor and the DNR) in celebrating the importance of trees in Brookfield, particularly those growing on school campuses. All participants helped plant trees that should provide shade to future generations of playground users.
Fourth graders at Gilman Elementary inspect a tree planted on Arbor Day in 2025. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Superior’s inaugural Heritage Tree. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Jenn Janness visited Gilman Elementary School to read a book, talk about trees around the world and discuss proper planting and mulching. She also attended the city of Superior’s Arbor Day celebration and Heritage Tree program kickoff, which honored a 100-year-old crab apple tree.
Nicolle Spafford joined Urban Forestry Council member Rex Zemke to plant trees at J.D. Jones Elementary School in Wausau. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Oshkosh Landscape Operations Manager Travis Derks plants a tree with students. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Olivia Witthun and Mequon City Forester Nathan Herlache hold a Tree City USA flag after planting trees and distributing seedlings. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Olivia Witthun had a full schedule traveling to Cedarburg, Elkhart Lake, Fond du Lac, Mequon and Slinger for Arbor Day events. Urban Forestry Council Member Travis Derks kept Olivia busy with multiple events in Oshkosh celebrating 45 years as a Tree City USA.
Girl Scouts build bird houses after planting a tree in Slinger. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
A Cedarburg city truck displays a Tree City USA flag. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Brian Wahl poses for a picture with Gov. Tony Evers and Smokey Bear. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Brian Wahl took the prize for attending the most celebrations! Brian’s Grand Arbor Day Tour included stops at events in DeForest, the village of Dane, Richland Center, Brooklyn, New Glarus, the town of Beloit, Lafayette County and multiple events in Dane County. Brian also got to spend time with Gov. Tony Evers and Smokey Bear!
Brian Wahl plants trees with youth in New Glarus./ Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Small children plant a tree in Menasha. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
The Urban Forestry staff would like to give a special shoutout to fellow Arbor Day enthusiasts, Bill McNee and Elaine Zautke, who were able to represent the DNR at events this year. Elaine attended an event at Forest Home Cemetery, and Bill celebrated with a tree planting in the City of Menasha.