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

See below for information on training topics and events, including oaks, diseases, fungi, volunteer leadership in natural resources, winter tree ID, fruit trees, invasives, research project presentations and insect identification.

The Arboriculture Association

The Major Oaks-Legends Never Die
Four voices collectively speak on the life of the Major Oak, looking back at the history of one of England’s most famous and beloved trees and looking ahead to learn from the many ways in which attempts were made to sustain it.

When: Nov. 4, 2026, noon CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Beech Leaf Disease
For the past 14 years, arborists and foresters in North America have watched with growing alarm as a condition called beech leaf disease was discovered and spread rapidly through forests and landscapes across a region nearly three times the size of the UK. BLD, caused by a foliar nematode and seemingly unprecedented amongst recent tree maladies, has proven extraordinarily difficult to manage. The disease causes a progressive decline and concerning mortality rates in North America’s native beech, Fagus grandifolia. However, widely cultivated European beech are similarly susceptible. Should BLD be found in the UK or the continent, it would pose grave risks to the iconic “Queen of the Forest” and the ecosystems where F. sylvatica plays a dominant role. In this session, you will learn how the disease affects beech trees, gain confidence in identifying BLD symptoms and hear the latest research on management options. While forests are naturally dynamic, when it comes to serious invasive species, to be forewarned is to be forearmed.

When: Nov. 11, 2026, noon CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Underground Allies: Importance Of Mycorrhizal Fungi For Plant Conservation And Restoration And Tree Pit Design And Specifying Urban Tree Soils
An Arboricultural Association webinar featuring Adriana Corrales and Ben Rose

When: Nov. 18, 2026, noon CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Reflections On The Importance Of Arboriculture – People, Trees And Practice
Arboricultural Association is hosting a free live seminar featuring Ted Green.

When: Nov. 25, 2026, noon CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Utility Arborist Association

 A Brief History Of UVM
This discussion explores the evolution of utility vegetation management alongside the U.S. electric power system — from reactive manual labor to today’s science-based, technology-driven practices. Attendees will examine key milestones in mechanization, integrated vegetation management, regulation and innovation, while also exploring future challenges and opportunities in workforce education and advanced sensing technologies.

When: Nov. 11, 2026, noon
Where: Online
Register online.

PennState Extension

Living On A Few Acres: Tree And Small Fruit Production
An introductory webinar on tree and small fruit production for beginning producers and homesteaders, covering basic management and resources for starting or improving backyard orchards.

When: Nov. 12, 2026, 5 p.m.
Where: Online
Register online.

Morton Arboretum

Whiskey Walk
Oaks are an essential part of whiskey making and an essential part of Illinois nature, too. Enjoy a whiskey tasting, hosted by local distillers Whiskey Acres, from DeKalb, Illinois. Participants will receive three 1-oz. pours and snacks. As you sip, owner Nick Nagele will share the history, lore and distilling process of this popular American spirit.

After your introduction to the relationship between oaks and whiskey, Arboretum experts will fill you in on all things oak during a guided hike through The Morton Arboretum’s Oak Collection. Learn how to identify types of oaks, why they’re an important part of the local woodlands and why they’re so good for making the barrels used to produce whiskey. You’ll never think of whiskey the same way again.

When: Nov. 14, 2026, 2:30 – 4 p.m.
Where: Thornhill Picnic Shelter (parking lot P-21), West Side
Register online.

Volunteer Leadership
Strengthen your skills for leading volunteers in natural areas management with this interactive workshop at The Morton Arboretum — and gain the fundamental community organizing skills to recruit, retain and empower volunteers.

Participants will learn how to:

• Plan and run a productive volunteer workday
• Plan activities such as tree planting, invasive brush removal and seed collection
• Bring volunteers together using social media, mailing lists and in-person meetings

This program includes self-paced online components and a live online session.

When: Self-paced components available online Nov. 19, 2026, noon
Online session Dec. 3, 2026, 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Where: Online
Register online.

Winter Tree ID
Develop the skills to identify winter trees using clues found in buds, fruits, leaf scars, bark and branching patterns. Leaves are one of the first characteristics taught when identifying trees, but by learning to use other parts of the tree for identification, you can develop the skill to identify trees even in winter when leaves are gone.
The class begins with a self-paced online lesson, where you will learn the foundational skills and terminology related to identifying deciduous trees. Then come to The Morton Arboretum for the field session, when you will develop and hone your tree ID skills with the guidance of your instructor. As you walk the grounds of the Arboretum, you will work with other participants to practice identifying trees using the skills you learned online.

This program includes self-paced online components and an in-person session at The Morton Arboretum.

Section A
When: Access online materials Nov. 20, 2026, noon
In-person session Dec. 4, 2026, noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Online and Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side

Section B
When: Access online materials Dec. 2, 2026, noon
In-person session Dec. 12, 2026, noon – 4 p.m.
Where: Online and Thornhill Education Center (parking lot P-21), West Side
Register online.

University Of Florida Extension

Who Goes There? Identifying Unexpected Yard Guests With EDDMapS
Learn from Christian Wanamaker, volunteer coordinator for UF’s Invasive Species Survey Group, how to identify and document invasive species with EDDMapS and how the group’s field surveys on public and private lands help land managers.

When: Nov. 5, 2026, 11:30 a.m. CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Community Canopy Conservation: A Case Study In A Community’s Effort In Protecting An Urban Canopy On Southern Amelia Island
Join Dr. Taylor Clem, County Director and horticulture extension agent with UF/IFAS Extension Nassau County, as he shares a southern Amelia Island case study on partnering with communities to protect and manage urban canopies.

When: Nov. 12, 2026, 11:30 a.m. CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Tree Fund

Connecting And Creating Municipal Forestry Bridges To Build Urban Forest Resources
Richard Hauer, PhD, will present his 2020 Bob Skiera Memorial Fund Building Bridges Initiative and John P. White Grant Program.

When: Nov. 10, 2026, noon CT
Where: Online
Register online.

Resource Of The Month: Online Insect Identification Tool

This online insect identification tool is brought to you by the UW-Madison Department of Entomology and the UW-Madison Insect Diagnostic Lab.

Click the boxes to browse through 200+ Wisconsin insects by name, type or by photo. While certain insects can be found across the country, many insects can be region-specific. Thus, this online tool is most relevant for residents of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes Region.

If you aren’t able to identify your particular insect or would like additional information, visit the Insect Diagnostic Lab website. In addition, there are a number of UW-Extension fact sheets and other resources available for insect pests under the “Pest Resources” menu.