Ken Raffa, professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Entomology. / Photo Credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Do you pity the poor tree, forced to stand defenseless against the ravages of insect pests, fungi and disease?
Then, you have not listened to Dr. Ken Raffa discuss the impressive natural defenses trees have developed.
Raffa, a professor emeritus with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Entomology Department, recently appeared on Proforest Podforest podcast to discuss the topic “Inside the Tree’s Natural Defense.”
Continue reading “UW-Madison’s Raffa Talks Trees’ Natural Defenses”
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. 
For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public about the importance of tree care.
Schools that connect students to nature and trees can register as a Tree Campus K-12 site. This Arbor Day Foundation program recognizes schools that inspire the next generation through experiences with nature inside and outside of the classroom. Schools need to meet four program goals to qualify. 
*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute an endorsement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
