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”
Mark your calendars
Deadlines
Arbor Day Foundation – for more information on the deadlines below please contact your Regional Urban Forestry Coordinator.
Tree Line USA applications – December 1, 2016
Tree City USA applications – December 31, 2016
Tree Campus USA applications – December 31, 2016
Visit new urban forest website
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
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
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
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”
Forestry professionals gather in Madison
Professional foresters from across the U.S. and Canada are gathering in Madison on Nov. 3-6 for the 2016 national Society of American Foresters convention. Wisconsin DNR forester Julie Peltier, who is serving as general chair of the convention, said the gathering of about 1,600 foresters will provide the opportunity to showcase Wisconsin’s 17.1 million acres of forests and the social, cultural, ecological and economic benefits they provide. Read more in this DNR news release. For more information, contact Kirsten Held, Kirsten.Held@Wisconsin.gov.
Nominate someone for council awards
The Urban Forestry Council (UFC) is a group comprised of members from municipalities throughout the state, elected officials, nursery employees and arborists that help inform and guide the DNR, specifically the Urban Forestry Program, about the needs of the communities.
Every year, the UFC, in partnership with DNR Division of Forestry Urban Forestry Program, strives to recognize individuals and organizations who have worked to increase tree planting, care, preservation, habitat and other benefits of urban trees through an awards ceremony. The awards are presented to individuals or organizations at Wisconsin’s Annual Urban Forestry Conference. Nominations for the 2017 awards are due on October 31, 2016, so please nominate people or organizations that you think exemplify the following UFC awards. Continue reading “Nominate someone for council awards”
State forest meetings scheduled for Nov 2 and 3
You are invited to attend open house meetings to review and comment on proposed changes to master plans for several northern forests and on a 15 year review of the Brule River State Forest master plan. The meetings are scheduled for November 2 in Woodruff and Black River Falls and November 3 in Brule and Winter. You may also review the documents, fill out surveys and submit comments online through the master planning pages for the properties. Comment deadline is November 21, 2016. Read more in this DNR news release.
Stratford holds Environmental Appreciation Day
Don Kissinger showing community members about proper pruning techniques
The Stratford FFA worked with the Stratford Village Tree Advisory Board to develop an Environmental Appreciation Day held on October 1, 2016. Stratford FFA member Tristan Wirkus said, “the goals of this event are to increase the use of Heritage Trail, inform the community about tree identification and health, provide environmental awareness opportunities, and become a Tree City USA.” To become a Tree City USA a community must host an event, such as the Stratford FFA Environmental Appreciation Day.
Continue reading “Stratford holds Environmental Appreciation Day”