The Daybreak Fund was launched in 2023 to advance nature-based solutions to climate change in the Western Lake Michigan region. Geographically, the Daybreak Fund targets watersheds within the Lake Michigan Basin in Wisconsin and in Lake County in far northern Illinois. After making an initial round of grants last fall, the Daybreak Fund is now accepting pre-applications for 2024. Continue reading “Funding Available For Nature-based Climate Solutions”
Urban Forestry News
Share ‘A Day In The Life’ To Highlight Your Career In Urban Forestry
The Wisconsin Forestry Center (WFC) is seeking forestry professionals to create 90-second videos showing an authentic representation of a day in your life as you go about your job duties. The videos will be posted on the WFC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to promote awareness of forestry jobs and foster workforce development. Check with your employer to obtain approval and email wfc@uwsp.edu to get involved. Continue reading “Share ‘A Day In The Life’ To Highlight Your Career In Urban Forestry”
Sign Up For Oak Wilt Vector Emergence Emails
By Kyoko Scanlon, Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg;
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov
With the recent warm-up and little snow on the ground in February, you may wonder if the insects responsible for transmitting oak wilt (oak wilt vectors) may emerge earlier this spring.
Though it is impossible to know precisely when they emerge, there is a tool that can be used to help you ease your anxiety a bit.
Continue reading “Sign Up For Oak Wilt Vector Emergence Emails”
‘In The Weeds’ With Invasives Tech
By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh;
Erika.SegersonMueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391
While not native to the Midwest, popular garden plants such as tulips and daffodils do not spread outside of gardens or cause harm, therefore they are not invasive. / Photo Credit: Lesley Ingram, Bugwood.org
As the conversation around invasive plants grows, it’s easy to get “stuck in the weeds” when it comes to invasive terminology.
A simple Google search of “invasive plant” will produce a variety of definitions, bringing in technicalities or muddying your understanding with each new idea of what invasive means. Continue reading “‘In The Weeds’ With Invasives Tech”
Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Through The North
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward;
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/foresthealth/staff, 715-416-4920
This winter, the spread and impact of emerald ash borer (EAB) have been confirmed in several new northern townships in previously invaded counties.
These include Marengo (Ashland County); Gordon, Hawthorne and Oakland (Douglas County); Cadott and Colburn (Chippewa County) and Balsam Lake and St. Croix Falls (in Polk County).
Continue reading “Emerald Ash Borer Spreads Through The North”
Time for Spongy Moth Treatment Plans
By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh;
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942
Numerous tan-colored spongy moth egg masses on a bur oak in Walworth County. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.
Spongy moths thrive in warm and dry weather. Even if weather conditions are more typical this spring and summer, the current spongy moth outbreak — which defoliated a state-record total of 373,000 acres of woodland last year — will likely continue and spread.
DNR Seeking Applications For Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants: Submit Applications By June 3
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently announced it is accepting applications for the Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant program. The program, which launched in January, uses federal funds to support projects that positively impact trees and people within disadvantaged communities* in Wisconsin.
The DNR is hosting a webinar on March 14 at 1 p.m. to provide an overview of the application and answer questions. A link to register is available on the DNR Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act Grants webpage. The application deadline is June 3, 2024.
Potential projects may involve conserving, protecting, expanding or improving urban forests. Examples include tree planting, hazard tree removal and pest control. Projects can also be capacity-building endeavors, such as urban forestry management plans, tree inventories and public education.
Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting their projects in Wisconsin may apply for an Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant. Eligible projects must occur in or benefit those living in disadvantaged communities as identified by the DNR on this map and list.
Upcoming Webinars For Inflation Reduction Act Grant
The Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant program uses federal funds to support projects that positively impact trees and people within disadvantaged communities in Wisconsin. Cities, villages, towns, counties, tribes and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting their projects in Wisconsin may apply for an Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction grant. Eligible projects must occur in or benefit those living in disadvantaged communities, as identified by the DNR on this map and list.
DNR staff will host at least three webinars that outline the Urban Forestry Inflation Reduction Act grant application process and allow time for questions and answers. See the webinar schedule below:
- Register For Webinar 1 Friday, Feb. 9, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
- Register For Webinar 2 Thursday, March 14, 1 – 2:30 p.m.
- Webinar 3-Save The Date Wednesday, May 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m.
For more information, visit the Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry webpage
Updated Tree Species Recommendations
By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Pines are evergreen. So are hollies. And spruces and firs and hemlocks fit the bill. Requests for species recommendations are also evergreen – I’m sure many of you field these requests.
The DNR Urban Forestry program, in consultation with partners on the Wisconsin Urban Forestry
Council, has updated its recommended species lists for street and park trees. You can find those four documents below and under “Tree Species Selection” on the DNR urban tree planting resources webpage.
These lists are not exhaustive, and any general list of recommendations has some uncertainty due to the nuanced conditions of specific planting sites. We highly suggest consulting with your local nurseries and other experts who can discuss what is available and provide other recommendations and planting advice. With just a few exceptions, these lists do not include cultivars and varieties, but your local experts can provide that amount of detail. Continue reading “Updated Tree Species Recommendations”
Tune In For The Urban Forest Connections Webinar Series
The USDA Forest Service National Urban Forest Technology and Science Delivery Team presents the Urban Forest Connections webinar series on the second Wednesday of each month. These online sessions create a stage for experts to share the latest science, practice and policy on urban and community forestry.
Topics include issues affecting the health of people and the health of the trees and forests that communities depend on to moderate local climate extremes and provide food, shelter, water, wildlife habitat, environmental justice, artistic expression and spiritual healing.
Tune in to the next webinar in the series on Feb. 14 from 12-1:15 p.m. titled “Mapping and Monitoring Tree Health Across Diverse Landscapes.” New technology is improving our ability to detect and address issues early enough to protect forests and people from increased tree mortality and losses in ecosystem services. Continue reading “Tune In For The Urban Forest Connections Webinar Series”