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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” →

Urban Forestry Fall Workshop: Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning And Care

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pruners

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

This Urban Forestry workshop is brought to you by UW-Madison Division of Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Join us to learn about tree biology and the standards of care that have been developed by the American National Standards Institute to help get trees off to a great start. Led by Rich Hauer, Director of Urban Forestry at Eocene Environmental Group, we will build on tree biology to discuss pruning and planting methods to optimize tree health.

This day-long workshop begins with a morning classroom session covering:

  • Biological Basis of Tree Action
  • Terms, Technology and Standards of Care Best Management Practices
  • Tree Planting, Growth and Longevity Proper Tree Pruning

Continue reading “Urban Forestry Fall Workshop: Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning And Care” →

How Do Trees With Purple Leaves Photosynthesize?

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By Emma Kimball, DNR Urban Forestry Assessment Technician Intern

Crimson King Norway maple leaf. / Photo Credit: Van Wilgen’s Garden Center

Trees come in all shapes and sizes, but did you know they also come in all sorts of colors as well?

You may think about autumnal colors, but there are varieties of common trees with leaves that retain a purple hue from spring to fall. Trees with purple leaves such as copper beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’), purple catalpa (Catalpa x erubescens ‘Purpurea’) and the Crimson King cultivar of the ever-popular Norway maple (Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’) are a gorgeous contrast to the foliage of green trees, offering aesthetic diversity to the landscape.

But how is it even possible for a tree to exist that doesn’t have green leaves? Continue reading “How Do Trees With Purple Leaves Photosynthesize?” →

Veteranization: Why Would You Age Trees On Purpose?

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By Casey Czerwonka, DNR Urban Forestry Assessment Technician Intern

It’s not every day that you learn about something that goes against your instincts that’s actually a good thing. When I read about British foresters purposefully “aging” young trees with chainsaws, I thought that was odd because usually, we’re trying to improve the longevity of our trees, not speed up the clock. Why might someone want older trees faster? For the habitat, of course! Continue reading “Veteranization: Why Would You Age Trees On Purpose?” →

Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project

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By Jane Mohler

Trees in Eau Claire

Trees flank the pedestrian High Bridge Trail in Eau Claire. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

As co‑chair of the Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership and a member of the Eau Claire Urban Forest Board, I joined the 2025-26 Wisconsin DNR Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) to expand my skillset and take advantage of networking opportunities. CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree/formal training in urban forestry and/or would like to hone their leadership and management skills. This program culminates in a final project utilizing the skills and knowledge gained throughout the 38 hours of instruction.

The shared goal was simple and urgent: help Eau Claire grow an urban forest that can handle a changing climate while supporting birds, pollinators and people for decades to come. We saw a quiet but powerful opportunity in the city’s Recommended Tree List. This “go‑to” list guides what gets planted along streets, in new subdivisions, around schools and in parks—and therefore, what our canopy will look like 30–50 years from now. Updating this list with climate and biodiversity in mind became the focus of my CTMI project. Continue reading “Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project” →

Extending The Health Benefits Of Urban Trees

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By Dwayne Sperber, President, Wudeward Urban Forest Products & Founding Member, Urban Wood Network

felled trees near a construction site

Photo Credit: Dwayne Sperber

Wisconsin’s 2020 Statewide Forest Action Plan recognizes urban and community forests as essential tools for achieving economic, environmental, social and public health goals. To advance those goals, the plan encourages multi-sector partnerships, engagement with new audiences and the use of urban wood. A recent project at the Medical College of Wisconsin illustrates how these priorities can be realized when those who manage urban and community forests are connected with established higher-use utilization pathways and the professionals committed to recognized industry standards who support them.

During site preparation for new student housing at the Medical College of Wisconsin, trees designated for removal were evaluated to determine their highest and best use. Logs suitable for higher-use applications were preserved and directed into a standardized urban wood utilization pathway where they can ultimately become durable wood products. Continue reading “Extending The Health Benefits Of Urban Trees” →

Hydrate Your Trees As Well As Your Body!

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By: Kevin Sayers, sayersk@michigan.gov or 517-582-3209 or Lawrence Law, LawL1@michigan.gov or  313-316-4137

boy watering a spruce tree

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

You don’t go anywhere in summer without your water bottle, right? In hot weather, your trees may need a drink, too, especially if they’re recently planted.

“When it’s hot and dry outside, your trees may suffer if they are not getting at least an inch of rain each week,” said Kevin Sayers, Urban and Community Forestry Program manager with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “Watering your trees during hot, dry spells can go a long way toward keeping them healthy.”

Deciduous trees – those that lose their leaves in fall – show drought stress through curling or drooping leaves. Leaves may “scorch,” or turn brown at the edges, fall off early or exhibit early fall color. Evergreen needles may turn yellow, then red or brown. Continue reading “Hydrate Your Trees As Well As Your Body!” →