Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in or conducting urban forestry projects in Wisconsin can now 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 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open”
Urban Forestry News
DNR Urban Forestry Council Welcomes New Members
By Jenn Janness, Urban Forestry Council Liaison, jennipher.janness@wisconsin.gov or 715-815-7173
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Division of Forestry recently welcomed six new members to the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council and said farewell to three members who contributed much to the council. In addition, four council members renewed their commitment for another three-year term. Linda Cadotte was also confirmed as the chair and will serve for two years.
New council members left to right: Greg Blick, Mitch Lannan, Evan Miller, Kristi Sherfinski and Allen Pyle (not pictured, Jeff Kluslow)
Continue reading “DNR Urban Forestry Council Welcomes New Members”
Invasive Species – Fall Workshops
By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744
Urban Forestry Coordinator, 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”
New ISA Credentialing System Launches
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is launching a new credentialing management system and an updated pricing structure, going live on July 15, 2025.
The new system offers significant user experience enhancements, including: Continue reading “New ISA Credentialing System Launches”
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
*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”