2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published

Posted on by akabelowsky
The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2024 Forest Health Annual Report.

The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ 2024 Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Hot off the digital presses, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2024 Forest Health Annual Report ready for review and download.

This year’s edition contains 58 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests and diseases.

Continue reading “2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published” →

Tree Disease Maps Have Migrated

Posted on by akabelowsky
The Wisconsin web map for Heterobasidion root disease, available through ArcGIS Online.

The Wisconsin web map for Heterobasidion root disease, available through ArcGIS Online. / Map Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR

By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward
Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program hosts two interactive web maps on its webpage:

Heterobasidion Root Disease

Oak Wilt Seasonal Harvesting Opportunities

Continue reading “Tree Disease Maps Have Migrated” →

White Masses On Alder Are Woolly Aphids

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing a group of woolly alder aphids on an alder branch.

A group of woolly alder aphids on an alder branch. / Photo Credit: Linda Williams, Wisconsin DNR

By Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665

Have you seen white lumps of fluff on alder stems? Woolly alder aphids congregate together for the winter. These aphids produce white filaments from their bodies to protect them from predators. When they congregate, they can look like a big clump of snow stuck to alder branches.

Continue reading “White Masses On Alder Are Woolly Aphids” →

McNee To Speak At Green Bay Conference

Posted on by akabelowsky
Photo showing a few periodical cicadas trying to hitch a ride on the T-shirt of Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for northeast Wisconsin, in 2024 at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva.

A few periodical cicadas try to hitch a ride on the T-shirt of Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forest health specialist for northeast Wisconsin, at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva in 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest health specialist for the Southeast region, will give a public presentation on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Green Bay Winter Landowner Conference.

Continue reading “McNee To Speak At Green Bay Conference” →

Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients

Posted on by janness

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the Urban Forestry (UF) Grant Program recipients for the 2025 grant year. In addition to helping fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy,  reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, and improving the quality of life and public health of communities, the UF Grant Program will help advance goals outlined in Gov. Evers’ Trillion Trees Pledge commitment, which includes planting 1 million trees in urban areas by the end of 2030. Continue reading “Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients” →

Please Submit Trees Planted This Year!

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist; Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

Autumn is a wonderful time for planting trees. And after the trees go in the ground, please take a few minutes to document the effort in the Wisconsin Tree Planting Map. The map was designed to help track trees planted to advance the state’s pledge to the Trillion Trees Initiative.

Continue reading “Please Submit Trees Planted This Year!” →

Tree City USA: Wisconsin Can Take The Lead In Growth Awards Earned With Your Help

Posted on by janness

By Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator; Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov or 608-556-5690

Tree City USA is an annual recognition program presented by the Arbor Day Foundation that allows communities to publicly demonstrate their continued commitment to the care of their local urban forest. Returning Tree City USA communities are also eligible to apply for Growth Awards. These awards recognize community forestry programs that go above and beyond the four core tenets of Tree City USA.

Wisconsin has consistently proven to be a national leader in the stewardship of the forests outside our front doors all across the state. In 2023, we saw participation from Milwaukee, our state’s most populous city, down to Ephraim, a village of only a few hundred residents. We ranked third nationally in both programs with 194 Tree City USA communities and 26 Growth Awards. Only Ohio and Illinois ranked higher. Continue reading “Tree City USA: Wisconsin Can Take The Lead In Growth Awards Earned With Your Help” →

Grant Opportunities

Posted on by janness

Five Star And Urban Waters Restoration Grants Due Jan. 30, 2025

The Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration grant program seeks to develop community capacity to sustain local natural resources for future generations by providing modest financial assistance to diverse local partnerships focused on improving water quality, watersheds and the species and habitats they support. Continue reading “Grant Opportunities” →