DATCP Pesticide Certifications During COVID-19

Posted on by patricialindquist

By Becky Gray, forest health team leader, Fitchburg, Rebecca.Gray@wisconsin.gov, 608-220-3022

Due to COVID-19, DATCP is extending pesticide certifications. If your pesticide certification will expire between January 31st and September 30th, then your certification is now valid until October 31st. Please refer to DATCP’s press release for more details: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/20200327PesticideExtension.aspx.

If you were planning to take the test for pesticide certification this spring, DATCP is offering online pesticide exams for certain categories, including Forestry Category 2.0. The online exams are only for a temporary pesticide applicator certification which will be good until October 31st. Here is the link to DATCP’s press release explaining the online pesticide exams: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/News_Media/20200402PesticideCertOnline.aspx.

Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant Program request for applications

Posted on by patricialindquist

The U.S. Forest Service anticipates that up to $4.2 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding will be available for tree planting and restoring native vegetation in the Great Lakes Basin. This funding will be competitively awarded to the best proposals received through the June 26, 2020 deadline at grants.gov. Search for Grant Opportunity Number USDA-FS-2020-GLRI. The funding is available to state agencies, Tribal communities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments that work within the Great Lakes Basin.

Funds will be distributed across the following four program areas:

  • Forest Insect and Disease Mitigation
  • Reduce Runoff from Degraded Sites through Green Infrastructure
  • Protect and Restore Coastal Wetlands through Healthy Tree Cover
  • Restore Resilient Riparian and Shoreline Forests

Continue reading “Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Grant Program request for applications” →

Please complete the Wisconsin Urban Wood research survey

Posted on by patricialindquist

Wisconsin Urban Wood is conducting a research project with support from the Forest Service to develop and demonstrate best practice standards for urban wood utilization in Wisconsin; including describing the:
      • Amount of urban wood generated in Wisconsin and its fate;
      • Incentives and barriers to furthering wood utilization in Wisconsin; and
      • Educational and technical needs associated with urban wood utilization.

Wisconsin Urban Wood sent out the survey via emails to tree service companies and municipalities.  If you haven’t yet, please complete the survey as requested.  While your response is critical to Wisconsin Urban Wood’s research, we also encourage you to participate for your own benefit. This research will help the Forest Service and Wisconsin Urban Wood develop and improve urban wood education and technical assistance in Wisconsin.

For more information about the survey or about Wisconsin Urban Wood, please contact 608-622-7212 or director@wisconsinurbanwood.org.

Learning at home

Posted on by patricialindquist

Our thoughts are with the families who are grappling with school closures, while balancing work and facilitating their children’s school days. There have been many online sources for continued education for all levels of schooling and we encourage you to check them out in addition to those provided by your local schools.

We’ve recently become aware of The Forest Where Ashley Lives, a wonderful children’s book (free online), explaining various urban forestry concepts in a fun, engaging way. To find the story, go to https://www.uwsp.edu/cnr-ap/leaf/Documents/ForestWhereAshleyLives.pdf

Elevated Wildfire Risk: Firefighters ask for public’s help by not burning

Posted on by laurahayes

Thirty-five wildfires burned in Wisconsin over the last week and elevated fire danger expected this weekend over most of the state (4/17-4/19).  A good reminder that, we work for you— so, please avoid burning for us!

Wildland Firefighters go to work for you. Please avoid bruning for them.

Firefighters need your help, as we enter the peak of Wisconsin’s wildfire season. Responding to a wildfire increases the risk of COVID-19 exposure through crowding of resources and geographic travel of emergency responders and firefighters.  Many DNR firefighters and fire departments are at home working or supporting loved ones. These challenges may reduce the availability of firefighters to operate fire suppression equipment and hinder emergency response time, resulting in rapid fire growth.  In addition, smoke from wildfires or debris burning worsens coronavirus risk, putting firefighters and the public in extra danger.

In DNR protection areas, burning permits for debris burning on the ground or in burn barrels are suspended until further notice.  If the ground is completely snow-covered and will remain so for the duration of the burn, a DNR burn permit is NOT required.  Therefore, you can burn at any time.  After the snow melts, the burn permit suspensions will again be in effect. Small campfires for warming or cooking purposes are allowed, but discouraged at this time.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  And, remember to keep an eye on the changing fire danger in the coming weeks: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.html

DNR Annual Burning Permits are Suspended

Posted on by laurahayes

In order to protect the health and safety of our employees, partners and the public, we are taking proactive measures by suspending all DNR burning permits until further notice. All burning of debris in barrels, piles on the ground and grass or wooded areas with annual burning permits in DNR protection areas is prohibited.  DNR burn permits are not required if the ground is completely snow-covered. Campfires for warming and cooking are okay, though strongly discouraged.

WI DNR Burning Permits SuspendedSpring in Wisconsin has the highest fire risk and debris burning is the #1 cause. Eliminating ignition sources on the landscape reduces wildfire risk, smoke for vulnerable populations and person-to-person contact. Being on the front line, emergency responders and firefighters have an increased need to take pandemic precautions, so they remain available to continue to protect the public from wildfires and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

 

What does it mean for YOU when we say DNR burning permits are suspended?

By state statute, DNR fire restrictions only cover parts of the state. In others, local fire departments are responsible. When the DNR suspends burning permits, they are only suspended for the areas we cover.

If you plan to burn in a location outside of the DNR’s fire protection area, it is your responsibility to check with you local fire department to see if there are any restrictions. Many communities outside of DNR protection areas are also prohibiting the burning of debris at this time.
For the current fire danger and fire restrictions: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ForestFire/restrictions.html

DNR Forest FIre Protection Map

Protect oak trees by pruning after July, not before

Posted on by margueriterapp

By Don Kissinger, urban forester, 715-348-5746, Don.Kissinger@wisconsin.gov or Paul Cigan, plant pest and disease specialist, 715-416-4920, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov

Anyone with oak trees in their yards or on forested lands should avoid pruning or cutting them from April through July to protect them from oak wilt.

Sap-feeding beetle on diseased oak tree in Sawyer County.

Sap-feeding beetle on diseased oak tree in Sawyer County.

Continue reading “Protect oak trees by pruning after July, not before” →

Severe spruce needle diseases expected in 2020

Posted on by margueriterapp

By Bill McNee, DNR forest health specialist, Oshkosh, bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0942

Wet weather in 2019 created ideal conditions for Rhizosphaera kalkhoffii and other needle cast fungi to infect spruce needles. Since it takes about a year for the needles to show symptoms, heavy and widespread needle diseases are expected to be seen on spruce trees in 2020. 

Lower branches of an infected spruce tree have lots of missing needles and some that are browning.

Loss of older needles on an infected spruce.

Continue reading “Severe spruce needle diseases expected in 2020” →

Prepare for the return of gypsy moths in spring

Posted on by margueriterapp

By Bill McNee, DNR forest health specialist, Oshkosh, bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov, 920-360-0942

Gypsy moth eggs are expected to start hatching as temperatures warm in the next few weeks. Now is a great time for homeowners to check their trees for egg masses and treat or remove any that are found. Removing the egg masses now will help protect trees from defoliation and reduce future caterpillar populations.

Gypsy moth larvae hatching from egg masses on an outdoor bowl.

Gypsy moth larvae hatching from egg masses on an outdoor bowl.

Continue reading “Prepare for the return of gypsy moths in spring” →

Wisconsin tree champions lauded for outstanding community service

Posted on by patricialindquist

Chuck Nass received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the WI Urban Forestry Council

By Sara Minkoff, DNR urban forestry specialist, Madison, Sara.Minkoff@wisconsin.gov, 608-669-5447

The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced award recipients 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 Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry on the management of urban and community forest resources.

“Wisconsin plays a critical role in conservation, especially when it comes to trees! These awards honor individuals, organizations and communities for their hard work and dedication to trees and the benefits they provide,” said Kristin Gies, chair of the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council’s award committee. “Each year we review the nominations and learn about the incredible work happening around Wisconsin that supports healthy community forests.”

Continue reading “Wisconsin tree champions lauded for outstanding community service” →