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.
Feel free to use the suggested messages provided below or develop your own create tree campaign.
Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)”
Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. The founders had a vision for a greener, healthier America and hoped this initiative would inspire change on a nationwide level. The first Tree City USA cohort was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Publicly demonstrating commitment to the environment is a great way to build pride among residents, as well as position your community as an attractive place to live. The Tree City USA program provides communities with a four-step framework to maintain and grow their tree cover. It also gives them an avenue to celebrate their work, showing residents, visitors and the entire country that they’re committed to the mission of environmental change.
Here are just a few examples of the 193 Tree Cities in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Climate and Health Collaborative, a group of climate and health professionals from across the state working to create a healthier climate, people and communities through local action, wants to learn from you and your community! Take this short climate and health survey for a chance to win a Wisconsin state park pass. Responses are due April 15.
Tree Canopy, Environmental Justice & Urban Forestry: Understanding The Relationship
With Dr. Dexter Locke, USDA Forest Service
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is bringing back its Urban Forestry Today’s Summer Tree Summit, kicking it off with a discussion of how to define environmental justice in the context of urban tree canopy cover and urban forest management. Join Dexter Locke from the USDA Forest Service as he explains these important terms and concepts and their practical ramifications for urban foresters and residents.
Continue reading “Urban Forestry Today’s Summer Tree Summit”
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
A common garden ornamental, Bishop’s goutweed may be better known to home gardeners as “snow-on-the-mountain.” / Photo Credit: Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org
Introduced as an ornamental plant commonly planted in gardens, Bishop’s goutweed is a restricted invasive plant in Wisconsin under Invasive Species Rule NR40.
Also known by common names such as snow-on-the-mountain, bishop’s weed and goutwort, the variegated variety with white edges will probably look familiar to many gardening enthusiasts. Continue reading “On The Outs With Goutweed”
By Caleb Burden, Acting Field Lead Technician, USDA APHIS PPQ;
Caleb.Burden@usda.gov or 734-732-0025
A green ash tree with a small piece of bark cut back shows emerald ash borer larvae feeding on the tree. / Photo Credit: USDA APHIS PPS
In the fight against emerald ash borer (EAB), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) again asks Wisconsin landowners to donate live, EAB-infested ash trees for use in a biological control program.
The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect from Asia first detected in the United States in 2002. Following its discovery, EAB has caused the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees.
Continue reading “USDA Seeks Donated Ash Trees To Battle Emerald Ash Borer”
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced its annual awards honoring those dedicated to protecting, preserving and increasing the number of trees that line city streets, fill community parks and beautify neighborhoods throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on managing urban and community forest resources.
Governor Tony Evers was on hand to recognize award recipients. / Photo Credit: Joanne Edmundson
“These awards recognize individuals, associations and partnerships that play an imperative role in the celebration of urban forestry excellence within the state of Wisconsin,” said Lee Fredericks, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Award Committee Chair. “The passion, commitment and efforts of this year’s award winners have vastly contributed to making our urban forests a highlight in communities for decades to come.” Continue reading “Wisconsin Tree Leaders Recognized For Exceptional Community Service”
By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grants Manager Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the second round of Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2024 grant year. The program helps fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy.
The Urban Forestry Grant Program awarded $143,362 to seven Wisconsin communities for urban forestry projects.
Most of the funding ($139,920) was originally reserved for the Catastrophic Storm Grant Program but was not needed through the winter months. The rest of the funding ($3,442) came from carryover funding.
Continue reading “DNR Urban Forestry Program Announces Second Round Of 2024 Grant Recipients”
Whether your work with trees involves planting, managing, funding, educating or beyond, i-Tree can help you better understand the benefits that trees provide, the impacts of where those benefits are and how to apply that science to your project goals.
The i-Tree Open Academy virtual learning series is back for spring 2024, with everything you need to explore the latest from the i-Tree suite of tools. Learn more and sign up on the i-Tree website. Continue reading “The i-Tree Open Academy Returns In March 2024”
By Peggy Damann, Wisconsin Extension Statewide Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Peg.Damann@wisc.edu
The Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Program provides plant health advising services through the online Ask Your Gardening Question webpage on the Extension Horticulture website. Members of the public can submit their lawn, landscape and gardening questions and photos, which are then routed to the appropriate county, multi-county or statewide Extension person or program. This service may be of interest to your urban residents and homeowners looking for answers to their yard tree questions.
