Urban Forestry News

Successful community tree graduate workshop

Posted on by Ellen Clark

All the students in a wagon headed to prune trees.

This year was the inaugural Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute  (WCTMI) graduate workshop, hosted by Wisconsin DNR’s Urban Forestry Program. It was held over two days in mid-October at the Green Lake Conference Center. The location offered beautiful scenery and an abundance of trees to evaluate, prune and discuss. Despite the slightly inclement weather, the attendees enjoyed themselves and were happy to be back and connect with others. Continue reading “Successful community tree graduate workshop” →

Consider the Community Forest Program

Posted on by Ellen Clark

The USDA Forest Service  is accepting applications for the Community Forest Program (CFP) and Open Space Conservation Program. Local governments, qualified nonprofit organizations and Indian tribes are eligible to apply for grants to establish community forests through acquisition of private forest land from a willing seller. Eligible lands for grants funded under this program are private forests that are at least five acres in size, suitable to sustain natural vegetation, and at least 75 percent forested. The lands must also be threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.  For more information view the notice  put out by the U.S. Forest Service.

 

For more information contact Ellen Clark (EllenA.Clark@Wisconsin.gov), Urban Forestry Communication Specialist, at 608-267-2774.

Apply for 2016 Great Lakes grant

Posted on by Ellen Clark

The U.S. Forest Service has announced that they are accepting proposals for potential grant funding. There are $575,000 in new funds that are available for Cooperative Weed Management Areas (CWMA) in the Great Lakes Basin. The deadline for approval is January 6, 2017 at grants.gov. The goal of the program is to detect, prevent, eradicate and/or control invasive plants to promote diverse benefits on Federal, State or private land. Continue reading “Apply for 2016 Great Lakes grant” →

Date changed for urban landowner survey

Posted on by Ellen Clark

Wisconsin DNR is collaborating with the USDA Forest Service to pilot an urban form of the National Woodland Owner Survey (NWOS), to better understand the people who own and manage our urban forests. The survey is paired with the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, in which data is collected on our urban trees and forest.

The date for the mailing of the Wisconsin Urban Landowner Survey has been changed. The survey will now be mailed Monday, January 9th. This change was made to ensure a viable response rate and avoid conflict with the holiday and hunting seasons. Continue reading “Date changed for urban landowner survey” →

Nominate individuals for arborist recognition

Posted on by Ellen Clark

Every year several awards are presented by the Wisconsin Arborists Association (WAA) to various citizens and partners dedicated to improving Wisconsin’s urban forests and supporting the work of WAA. Wisconsin DNR’s Urban Forestry program is a co-sponsor of their annual meeting/conference each February (bookmark this site and check back for 2017 conference details). Every year WAA presents their awards and nominations at this conference. Nomination Forms are now available. Please return to Randy Krouse by December 16, 2016. Continue reading “Nominate individuals for arborist recognition” →

Visit new urban forest website

Posted on by Ellen Clark

U.S. Forest Service launches new Urban and Community Forest and National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council websites. The sites have been migrated to the Forest Service’s new, modernized web platform, and the information has been streamlined and updated to reflect our community’s contemporary priorities.  We are featuring our partnerships in the slideshow on the main UCF page, including the innovative collaboration and coordination happening with SUFC.  We plan to update our slideshow quarterly.  If you would like the page to feature your partnership, please email Lauren Marshall.

Grants to address urban wildlife damage

Posted on by Ellen Clark

The Wisconsin DNR is currently accepting applications for the Urban Wildlife Damage Abatement and Control grant. This grant gives financial assistance to urban communities, as defined in s.86.196(1)(c), Wis. Stats., for the development of long-term solutions to decrease damage created by wildlife, namely white-tailed deer and/or Canada geese. The financial assistance provided is a 50-50 reimbursement up to a maximum of $5,000. This grant can help urban parks and forests in municipalities prone to the effects of wildlife. The deadline for applications submission, and other necessary documents, is December 1, 2016.  If you have questions regarding the grant or how to apply visit the Urban Damage Abatement and Control  page on the DNR website. Continue reading “Grants to address urban wildlife damage” →

Nominations welcomed for the Great American Tree

Posted on by Ellen Clark

The American Grove holds a competition every year searching for a tree that stands above the rest, flourishes with magnificence, and is one-of-a-kind, the Great American Tree. This year the deadline for photographic submissions is November 15, 2016. The photograph submission should be accompanied by a description of the tree and an explanation of why the tree stands out. For more information visit the American Grove website. Last year, a Bur Oak tree in Platteville, WI, submitted by Mark Hirsch, won and is the current Great American Tree. Mark’s submission of “That Tree” describes a beautiful tree and how it had the ability to change a man’s life. Continue reading “Nominations welcomed for the Great American Tree” →

40th Anniversary of Tree City USA recognized at reception

Posted on by Ellen Clark
Left to right: Curt Witynski, LWM; Don K, DNR; August Hoppe, WAA; Tracy Salisbury, DNR; Pete Smith, ADF; Will Erickson, DNR Green Tier; Alex Elias, DNR; Jeff Roe, DNR; Twink Jan-Mahon, WUW. Photo credit: Gail Sumi, LWM

Left to right: Curt Witynski, LWM; Don Kissinger, DNR; August Hoppe, WAA; Tracy Salisbury, DNR; Pete Smith, ADF; Will Erickson, DNR Green Tier; Alex Elias, DNR; Jeff Roe, DNR; Twink Jan-Mahon, WUW.
Photo credit: Gail Sumi, LWM

 

On Thursday, October 20, the Urban Forestry (UF) Team  provided municipalities an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Tree City USA program and the ways it can bring pride and health to their local communities, at an evening reception during the annual League of Wisconsin Municipalities (LWM) conference. Continue reading “40th Anniversary of Tree City USA recognized at reception” →