Urban Forestry News

The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online

Posted on by janness

Governor Tony Evers made a surprise appearance to congratulate the 2024 Urban Forestry Council and Wisconsin Arborist Association award winners.

The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is comprised of municipal employees, elected officials, nursery operators, arborists and others who advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources.

Every year, the council bestows several awards to recognize and thank individuals and organizations across Wisconsin for their work and commitment to community forests and the economic benefits they provide. Individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin are eligible. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference.

Nominations are now being accepted online for the 2025 awards and must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. Continue reading “The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online” →

2025 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open

Posted on by janness

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 2025 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Urban Forestry Grant.

Regular Urban Forestry grants are competitive cost-share grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000, and grant recipients must match each grant dollar-for-dollar. These grants fund projects that improve a community’s capacity to manage its trees and projects that help conserve, protect, expand or enhance the urban forest resource. These grants do not subsidize routine forestry activities. Continue reading “2025 DNR Urban Forestry Grant Application Now Open” →

DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants

Posted on by janness

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants.

This round of grant funding became available through Executive Order #232, signed by Gov. Tony Evers on June 28, 2024, declaring a state of emergency due to recent severe weather events across Wisconsin. Continue reading “DNR Now Accepting Applications For Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants” →

The Wisconsin Disaster Fund

Posted on by janness

By Katie Rousonelos, Wisconsin Emergency Management – Public Information Officer; Katie.Rousonelos@widma.gov or 608-242-3239

Severe weather can destroy Wisconsin communities and result in hefty cleanup costs. While public works budgets and insurance may cover some expenses, the costs might exceed available funding.

Federal funding could help, but qualifying for a federally declared disaster can be difficult. The Federal Emergency Management Agency Public Assistance program funds state, tribal, territorial and local governments. It covers costs for debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures and restoring public infrastructure. To get this funding, damage at the state level must reach at least $1.84 per member of the population. At the county level, it is $4.60 per person. Those numbers are adjusted every year and are based on census data. Continue reading “The Wisconsin Disaster Fund” →

Community Roots Program Now Accepting Grant Applications

Posted on by janness

Applications for funding through the Community Roots Program are now available for community-based nonprofit organizations to help support urban forestry projects in underserved and often overlooked communities. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 12.

This grant is an excellent opportunity for community-based nonprofit organizations to improve the health and resilience of their communities through projects such as: Continue reading “Community Roots Program Now Accepting Grant Applications” →

DNR Supports School-Based Urban Forest Canopy In Green Bay

Posted on by janness

By Jonathan Ismail, Outreach Specialist, LEAF K-12 Forestry Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Jismail@uwsp.edu or 715-346-3229

Photo credit: Scott Stromberger

How can learning be enhanced outdoors? What does a tree canopy at a “green” school look like? Can an outdoor classroom be an effective learning environment?

Edison Middle School in Green Bay is exploring outdoor STEM learning opportunities thanks to partnerships with DNR Urban Forestry, American Transmission Company (ATC) and LEAF K-12 Forestry Education. The plan to create an outdoor classroom grew from a discussion Urban Forestry Coordinator Tracy Salisbury had with ATC staff looking for opportunities to give back to communities. ATC’s interest in funding STEM education in their communities was a natural fit for the DNR’s goal to increase tree canopies at schools. Continue reading “DNR Supports School-Based Urban Forest Canopy In Green Bay” →

Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391

Native plants benefit Wisconsin wildlife, pollinators and ecosystems. However, many resemble harmful invasive species, making identifying problem plants in the woods challenging.

It is important to learn a few key characteristics to unmask the imposters and correctly identify the invasive plants. With a little study and practice, you can quickly differentiate between these perplexing pairs.

Continue reading “Invasives And Imposters: Native Look-Alikes To Know” →

Reminders About Spongy Moth Quarantine

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Meg Sanders, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection;
MeganT.Sanders@wisconsin.gov or 715-891-8158

The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) to enforce a spongy moth quarantine in Wisconsin, with the goal of limiting the spread of the spongy moth to new, uninfested areas.

The quarantine now covers 53 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The quarantine regulates woody nursery stock, Christmas trees, firewood, logs and outdoor household items. Quarantine regulations apply to businesses and private citizens.

Continue reading “Reminders About Spongy Moth Quarantine” →

Spongy Moth Status Update

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

A photo showing several trees with spongy moth defoliation in Marinette County in mid-June 2024.

Spongy moth defoliation in Marinette County in mid-June 2024. / Photo Credit: Darrek Sams, Wisconsin DNR

As of early July, we have seen a mix of live and dead caterpillars and tree defoliation that is typical of a late-stage spongy moth outbreak. Reports of defoliation have been received as far north as Florence County.

Recent aerial surveys in southern Wisconsin spotted defoliation in the same general areas as in 2023, but the defoliation has generally been less intense this year. Information for northern Wisconsin has yet to be made available. Refoliating oaks, growing a second set of pale-looking leaves, were seen in Walworth County in early July.

Continue reading “Spongy Moth Status Update” →

Pruning Can Control White Pine Blister Rust

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Eastern white pines (Pinus strobus) can be beautiful trees in urban and forested areas (they can tower above the rest of the forest’s trees), but they can also attract a deadly disease.

White pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), also known as WPBR, is a fungus that can attack branches and the main stem of white pine, causing cankers that continue to grow each year and creating dead spots that can girdle branches or the main stem. Damage from a girdling canker may take years to become severe enough to cause tree decline and mortality. That means you may be able to help your trees and prevent mortality.

Continue reading “Pruning Can Control White Pine Blister Rust” →