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Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard

Arbor Day Foundation USA Interactive Map
Do you know how many Tree Campus Healthcare facilities are in Wisconsin or how many trees were planted by Arbor Day Foundation partners in the state? Find this and other eye-opening information by visiting the new Arbor Day Reporting Dashboard. Scroll to select Wisconsin on the left side of the page to see state-specific data. Select a tab at the top to see specific information about the Tree City USA, Tree Campus or Tree Line programs. Continue reading “Arbor Day Foundation Reporting Dashboard”

Upcoming Trainings

*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 the Wisconsin Arborist Association Summer Conference, the Trees and Utility Conference, the International Society of Arboriculture International Conference, webinars on birch health, storm damage, chipper operation and tree equity and educational resources. Continue reading “Upcoming Trainings”

Arbor Day 2025: Growing Together Across Wisconsin

By Jay Dampier, DNR IRA Grant Coordinator
Jason.Dampier@wisconsin.gov or 920-765-1935

Arbor Day story time

This April and early May, communities across Wisconsin came together to celebrate Arbor Day. The DNR supported over 40 in-person events statewide. From Marshfield to Menasha and from New Richmond to New Glarus, staff fanned out across the state engaging communities in Arbor Day celebrations. Continue reading “Arbor Day 2025: Growing Together Across Wisconsin”

Watch Out!

Have you ever walked through a patch of poison ivy or brushed up against wild parsnip? If so, you probably learned an uncomfortable lesson about encountering harmful plants. Luckily, there is a less painful way to learn about dangerous vegetation hidden among Wisconsin’s natural beauty. Now is the time to brush up on hazards you may encounter while working or recreating outdoors.

Outdoor Hazards in Wisconsin, a guide published by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, will help you recognize, avoid and handle potential problems caused by wildlife, insects and plants. Continue reading “Watch Out!”

Survey: Likelihood Of Included Bark Failure

Are you an arborist or urban forester who conducts tree risk assessments?

Researchers from the Universities of Toronto, Florida and Wisconsin-Stevens Point are researching how arborists perceive the likelihood of failure of included bark. They’ve put together a survey with scenarios and photos and are looking for tree care professionals to rate the likelihood of failure. As an incentive, there will be a drawing for one of ten $100 gift cards to an arborist supply store. Continue reading “Survey: Likelihood Of Included Bark Failure”

Lend Your Expertise To The Silviculture Guidance Team

Public, Private Forestry Experts Encouraged To Apply For Membership In State Advisory Committee

Are you a forestry expert interested in working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), forest industry professionals and natural resource leaders to ensure sustainable management practices of Wisconsin’s forest resources?

The DNR and Wisconsin Council on Forestry are seeking representatives from a variety of partner interest groups to fill several current and upcoming vacancies on the Silviculture Guidance Team (SGT), which provides crucial oversight and input to ensure the responsible and effective management of Wisconsin’s forest resources. Continue reading “Lend Your Expertise To The Silviculture Guidance Team”

Save The Date: Upcoming Conferences

Partners in Community Forestry Conference: Nov. 19-20, 2025
This gathering unites passionate individuals, communities, organizations and leaders to explore innovative solutions, share insights and collaborate on the future of urban forestry. Join leaders across the industry to focus on strengthening the bonds between people and trees, fostering sustainable practices and creating green, thriving urban landscapes.

Keep an eye on the website or sign up for emails for more information.

 

WAA Summer Conference: July 31, 2025
Location: Marian University, Fond du Lac, WI
Watch the WAA website for more information and registration. Continue reading “Save The Date: Upcoming Conferences”

Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing

By Andi Sedlacek, DNR Communications Director
Andrea.Sedlacek@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-3032

*To read more articles like this, check out the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine online.

A simple idea, to celebrate planting trees, and it’s grown into a national holiday: Arbor Day.

Arbor Day’s roots began in the late 1800s in Nebraska where, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, residents of Nebraska City felt a lack of trees in their community. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, proposed a statewide tree-planting holiday, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated. Continue reading “Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing”

Resources to Help Urban Foresters Set And Meet Tree Diversity Goals

By Shahla Werner, Urban Forestry Council Member and Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Plant Protection Section Manager

Urban foresters are increasingly aware of the importance of tree species, age and size diversity to ensure resilient tree canopy and all the associated benefits in their communities. The 20-10-5 rule, which specifies that no more than 20% of trees planted should be from one family, no more than 10% from one genus and no more than 5% from one species (including cultivars), can be helpful in setting tree diversity goals. Applying these guidelines can provide urban forests some protection against huge losses caused by invasive forest pests. Continue reading “Resources to Help Urban Foresters Set And Meet Tree Diversity Goals”