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Last Chance! Urban Forestry Award Nominations Due Oct. 31

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We want to hear from you!

The online Urban Forestry Award application is easy to complete, so why not recognize a person or group for the work they are doing?

Some examples of past award winners have been…

  • Teachers inspiring the next generation
  • Planting events completed by nonprofit organizations partnering with businesses
  • Urban forestry-related research projects
  • Parks and Recreation departments that have implemented tree walks or other community events
  • Volunteers who have dedicated a significant amount of time to improving the canopy
  • Retiring municipal foresters who have had a substantial impact on the communities they serve

    Gov Tony Evers with past award winners. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

The Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. Awards are presented in the categories of Next Gen, Project Partnerships, Lifetime Achievement, Innovations in Urban Forestry, Leadership and Species Diversity. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Arborist Association/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Annual Conference and presented to winners in their community.

Learn more about the awards and complete the nomination form.

Tree City USA – Online Portal Open!

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By Laura Buntrock, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership & Policy Specialist
Laura.Buntrock@wisconsin.gov or 608-294-0253

The online portal for Tree City USA is now open, with applications due Dec. 31. If you’re new to TCUSA, you can learn more about the program on the Arbor Day Foundation website or from your DNR urban forestry coordinator.

There were 188 Wisconsin communities that obtained TCUSA status for the 2025 recognition year, which was awarded last spring. The highest number we achieved was 201 certified communities in 2020 and 2021. We need you to help us set a new record for 2026! Continue reading “Tree City USA – Online Portal Open!” →

Community Spotlight: Sheboygan County’s Wade House Planting Project

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By Tracy Folz, Sheboygan Sun Reporter

volunteers plant a tree

Photo Credit: Tracy Folz

The Sheboygan Rotary Club’s Restoration of Our Trees Sheboygan initiative, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Team, Wade House Historic Site and a team of people from Johnsonville and Kohler planted a mixture of 59 trees during United Way’s Day of Caring on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Wade House.

DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator Olivia Witthun and two DNR college summer interns, Emma Kimball and Casey Czerwonka, created a planting plan listing the types of trees to be planted and the location where the trees should be planted. The interns are studying environmental science. Kimball is a junior at Marquette University, and Czerwonka is a senior at UW-Milwaukee. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Sheboygan County’s Wade House Planting Project” →

Fall Workshops On Tree Resilience A Success

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By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

root samples

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

DNR Urban Forestry successfully partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Horticulture Team to host several fall workshops on Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning & Care. Dr. Rich Hauer (former UW-Stevens Point professor and current Eocene Director of Urban Forestry) was the lead instructor, with Adam Alves (Dane County Parks) providing assistance. Four workshops were held around the state during the week of Sept. 21 in Dane, Waukesha, Jackson and Outagamie counties. Over 175 registrants from municipalities, private companies and other organizations attended the workshops. Continue reading “Fall Workshops On Tree Resilience A Success” →

Funding For Firewood Banks Available

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stacked firewood

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

With winter approaching, the Alliance for Green Heat is seeking proposals from firewood banks across the country to expand their capacity to provide free firewood to families struggling to heat their homes.

AGH received $1.7 million in additional Infrastructure Assistance and Jobs Act funding through the U.S. Forest Service to extend its firewood bank grant program, which supports firewood banks in rural and tribal communities. The grants will help firewood banks purchase equipment, such as chainsaws, firewood splitters and protective gear, to help communities put low-grade wood removed through forest management on federal and other lands to productive use heating homes. Continue reading “Funding For Firewood Banks Available” →

Upcoming Training & Events

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class observing tree roots

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

*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. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Urban Forestry Award Nominations Due Oct. 31

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2026 Urban Forestry Council Awardees / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

The Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. Awards are presented in the categories of Next Gen, Project Partnerships, Lifetime Achievement, Innovations in Urban Forestry, Leadership and Species Diversity. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Arborist Association/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Annual Conference and presented to winners in their community.

Learn more about the awards and complete the nomination form on the DNR Urban Forestry website.

2027 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Applications Due Oct. 1.

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newly planted tree on terrace

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting their project in Wisconsin are encouraged to apply for a regular or startup 2027 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant.

The grants range from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar for dollar. A startup grant of up to $5,000 is available for communities that want to start or restart a community forestry program. Grants are awarded to projects that align with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy and the benefits it provides. These grants do not subsidize routine forestry activities. Continue reading “2027 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Applications Due Oct. 1.” →

New Urban Forestry LEAF Curriculum Available

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The Urban Forest Lesson Guide helps Wisconsin teachers educate students about the value of and need for our urban forests. Additionally, the Urban Forest Lesson Guide can help teachers in urban areas teach the importance of forests by using familiar urban forest surroundings to engage students and ultimately make the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Lesson Guide units more relevant.

Take a peek at the newly added Urban Forestry Career Biographies, and you may see some familiar faces.

Visit the UW Stevens Point LEAF website to access the new and improved curriculum.

Upcoming Training & Events

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People participating in training

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

*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 invasive species, biochar, climate change, tree care, emergency response, tree ID and biology, insurance issues, municipal programs, volunteer opportunities and research project presentations. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →