Archives

Invasive Species – Fall Workshops

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is partnering with the UW-Madison Division of Extension to host a series of fall workshops on invasive species plant identification and management. Learn about invasive plants in urban settings, focusing on identification, impacts, management and available resources. Dr. Mark Renz (professor and Extension specialist with UW-Madison) will lead the instruction, with Travis Wilson, Matt Wallrath and John Zabrosky assisting. Each workshop will include morning classroom instruction followed by hands-on field demonstrations in the afternoon. The cost of the workshop is $40 and includes lunch. Continue reading “Invasive Species – Fall Workshops”

Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District

By Tony Fessler, Co-Coordinator – Restoration Of Our Trees Sheboygan, www.sheboyganrotary.com or 920-946-6770.

Photo Credit: Tony Fessler

A collaborative urban reforestation project involving the Sheboygan Area School District, the Sheboygan Rotary Club Restoration of our Trees Sheboygan (ROOTS) and the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) completed a second major milestone on May 10, 2025.  This first-of-its-kind urban reforestation collaboration was initiated in 2024 through a matching $25,000 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant to ROOTS and LNRP.  Continue reading “Collaborative Reforestation – Sheboygan Area School District”

NASF Accepting Award Nominations

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) is accepting nominations for its 2025 awards. Only nominations submitted on or before Friday, Aug. 1, through this online form will be considered. Descriptions of the awards, guidelines for selection and a sample nomination are included on the first page of the online form. The awardees will be honored in person and virtually at the 2025 NASF Annual Meeting in Waimea, Hawaii. Continue reading “NASF Accepting Award Nominations”

Upcoming Trainings

group of people listening to a speaker in the woods*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics, including biochar, advanced arboriculture, selecting resilient tree species, The National Urban Tree Canopy Application, invasive species, wildlife and educational resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”

2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced

By Nicolle R. Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grants Manager; Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

Beginning July 1, 2025, cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in –or conducting their projects in – Wisconsin can apply for a regular or startup 2026 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry grant. The total 2026 available funding is $559,680, with a possible release of $139,920 of catastrophic storm reserve to fund a second round in March 2026. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced”

Please Submit Trees Planted This Spring!

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist; Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

When your newly planted trees are getting comfortable in their new homes, you’ve pulled the splinters from your hands and you find yourself at a desk asking yourself, “What now?”, we have an answer for you.

Please take a moment and record your trees in the Wisconsin Tree Planting Survey. Those submissions will then appear on the Tree Planting Map and be tallied toward the state’s pledge to the Trillion Trees Initiative. Governor Tony Evers signed the pledge to protect and restore Wisconsin’s rural and urban forests by planting 100 million trees in Wisconsin by 2030. Continue reading “Please Submit Trees Planted This Spring!”

Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves

By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Forest Health Specialist; Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov
and Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov

Oak leaves infected with anthracnose.

Anthracnose is a common disease of hardwood trees during cool, wet spring seasons. Some parts of Wisconsin have been cooler and wetter than others this spring, so anthracnose damage may be patchy.

Ash, maple, white oak, sycamore and walnut are the most commonly impacted tree species. Each species has its own species of anthracnose that infects it, but if weather conditions are right, then we tend to see damage on multiple species. Continue reading “Anthracnose Infecting Hardwood Leaves”

Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees

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

With recent storms passing through Wisconsin, communities may still be working on clean-up. Depending on the intensity of the storms and the condition of the trees, damage from high winds, heavy rainfall, hail and lightning can be quite severe. Cracked or broken branches, trunk damage and root failure are some of the main concerns, but also the risk and liability of damage to people and property. Continue reading “Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees”

Why Don’t All Trees Leaf Out At The Same Time?

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414 294-8675

Photo credit: Mike Wendt

Spring is my absolute favorite time of the year. The reemergence of life is all around us, and the smell of fresh rain accompanies the sights and sounds of spring. The birds are scouring the soil for fresh insects to eat, the frogs are croaking away in the swamps and the bees buzz freely from plant to plant. Along with these sights and sounds of spring, another incredible transformation is occurring on our largest and longest-lived organisms in the landscape, trees. Continue reading “Why Don’t All Trees Leaf Out At The Same Time?”