The Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) teams up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to present the WAA/DNR Annual Conference, February 18-20, 2018 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This year’s theme is “Growing Arboriculture and Urban Forestry for Today and Tomorrow: From Fundamentals to Advanced Knowledge,” and registration for the conference is now open.
Urban Forestry News
Professional sports work to plant trees
The Milwaukee Bucks and American Transmission Co. (ATC) are bringing back their “Trees for Threes” initiative for the 2017-18 Milwaukee Bucks season. Through the Trees for Threes platform, the Bucks and ATC will sponsor the planting of a new tree in Wisconsin for every 3-pointer the Bucks make at home this season.
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Urban Forestry staff convene in Tulsa, OK
In November, two Urban Forestry team members, Alex Elias (Urban Forestry Grants Manager) and Ellen Clark (Urban Forestry Communications Specialist), attended the Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Partners in Community Forestry Conference is a two-day gathering for individuals, nation-wide from industry, non-profit, and state, local and federal agencies alike to come together and collaborate and share ideas, research and interests with others. The conference offered peer-to-peer learning opportunities and educational sessions regarding how to engage communities and partners to promote trees. The conference also fostered discussions regarding how to develop nationwide metrics and stories promoting urban forestry.
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Welcoming a new team member
T
he Urban Forestry team has recently added a new member, Abner Jacobson. Abner will be an Urban Forestry Grant Specialist. Originally from the East Side of Madison, Abner graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2017 with degrees in Communication Arts and Political Science. Continue reading “Welcoming a new team member”
2018 Urban Forestry Grant recipients
By Alex Elias, Urban Forestry Grants Manager
Thirty communities, nonprofit groups and counties will share $465,661.99 in 2018 state grants from the Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant program to promote and sustain urban forest resources in Wisconsin.
Another productive year for WI Urban Forestry!
By Jeff Roe, Urban Forestry Team Leader
As I reflect on the last year, what stands out most for me is the great people that I work with – both staff and partners!
This has been a year of change, with new structures and leadership within the agency. Nonetheless, the staff dedication and leadership support for our program, and the work we do, remain strong. We have also had some staff changes this year: we added a new coordinator to the team, Brad Johnson, to serve the West Central area of the state; Bobbi and Dan joined the team to help with grants and the urban assessment program, respectively; and later in the year, Bobbi moved on to a full-time position within another DNR program. Continue reading “Another productive year for WI Urban Forestry!”
Evergreen: A Holiday History
By Dan Buckler, Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
The winter blues are not a modern phenomenon, but something that struck an existential chord in our ancestors. Luckily there were things growing in the forests which sparked hope in hearts until the sun returned, slowly but surely, at the winter solstice. Continue reading “Evergreen: A Holiday History”
Urban Forestry, Green Tier and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities
By Laura Lorentz, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership and Policy Specialist
This past October Will Erikson, of DNR’s Green Tier Legacy Community (GTLC) program, and I staffed a booth at the 119th League of Wisconsin Municipalities (the League) Annual Conference in Appleton. Each year the three-day conference attracts hundreds of municipal professionals; among them elected officials, directors of parks and forestry, city engineers, and consultants. Continue reading “Urban Forestry, Green Tier and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities”
Tree City and Tree Campus USA applications due
Tree City and Tree Campus USA application deadlines are right around the corner, December 31! You can access information and application materials for these Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs from the DNR Urban Forestry website or Arbor Day Foundation’s website. Tree City and Tree Campus applicants are encouraged to use the online application form, though hard-copy applications are available. These national award programs recognize efforts to raise awareness of the importance of trees and integrate trees and proper tree care in Wisconsin communities, around utility lines and facilities, and on college campuses. Continue reading “Tree City and Tree Campus USA applications due”
Trust – a way of business in urban forestry
Trust is easy to find in a job you love, since it is what our relationships are built on. In our urban forestry program, much of our work depends on having trusting relationships. Here is an example of a project to illustrate the importance of trust. Continue reading “Trust – a way of business in urban forestry”