The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities recently announced a request for proposals to “evaluate the technical, economic, and community feasibility of repurposing closed wood products manufacturing facilities for bioenergy.”
Continue reading “Repurposing Closed Wood Products Facilities For Bioenergy Development”
One of the temporary bridge structures for stream crossings that will be available from selected Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and private facilities for use by loggers who are working on timber sales. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Through a U.S. Forest Service grant, along with a partnership with the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is soon going to be able to provide temporary bridge structures for stream crossings. Continue reading “Timber Bridges For Stream Crossings Now Available”
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products Service Team recently completed its webinar series highlighting Wisconsin’s forest industry. The sessions focused on product utilization and market development for urban wood, biochar and mass timber, along with economic trends for state and county economic development.
Webinar recordings are available to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge that support sustainable growth across Wisconsin’s forest sector. Details of the sessions are as follows:
Continue reading “Forest Products Webinar Series: Recordings Available Now”
LSLA Education will offer a Hardwood Lumber Grading Short Course in Antigo, Wisconsin, from July 27-29, 2026. The course is open to everyone interested in lumber grading. This class is targeted at beginners and therefore will be ideal for sawyers, edgermen, trimmermen, grading trainees, salespeople, managers and supervisors. This course will cover topics such as clear vs. sound cuttings, wood characteristics and defects, hardwood lumber manufacturing standards, species, kiln dried lumber and hands-on lumber grading. For complete details, including the topics that will be covered in the course, list of area hotels and registration link, see the brochure.
A young deer wanders through a woodlot with invasive plants. / Photo Credit: Central Pennsylvania Forestry blog
By Bob Nack, DNR R3 Supervisor, Madison;
Robert.Nack@wisconsin.gov or 608-617-3492
A joint state-landowner program proven successful in Wisconsin areas is under consideration for expansion into more counties to combat the slow, but steady decline in active deer hunters, prompting concerns in both environmental and economic realms.
The program, also tested successfully in other states, requires participants to complete hunter education safety and online deer hunting 101 courses. Participants also are required to practice at the shooting range and join in live virtual meetings. Experienced mentors are ready to provide guidance and support to participants.
Adams County landowner Matt Dettlaff endorsed the program. “Our landowner cooperative recognized this program as another valuable new tool in our herd management toolbox,” he said.
Forest landowners, including Dettlaff, see the browsing impact high deer densities can have on tree regeneration and wildlife-habitat quality. One strategy of this program is to tap new adult hunters to harvest antlerless deer for specific property goals. Landowner participants would determine the antlerless harvest goals and control the hunting plans for their properties.
“We typically cannot harvest enough antlerless deer ourselves to meet our goals to keep the herd in balance with quality habitat,” Dettlaff said. “Helping introduce new folks to the deer hunting tradition we are passionate about is just an added feel-good bonus.” Check out this video from the 2025 late-season firearm hunt in Adams County.
Landowners passionate about forest management and the future of deer hunting are encouraged to participate in any of these ways:
Organized late-season firearm hunt for antlerless only: An organized firearm antlerless deer hunt in early December. Program includes an evening social and a deer-processing demonstration. Ideally, a landowner or group of area landowners provide hunting opportunities for at least 10 adult hunters. Landowners identify antlerless deer harvest goals for their property.
Archery hunting: The DNR contracts with Raised at Full Draw (RAFD) to provide archery educational programs. RAFD is piloting a Field to Fork bow hunting program for adults. Participants commit to attend weekly archery practices from June through August. Participants are also expected to complete weekly homework online to review at in-person meetings. Before hunting, an archery shooting proficiency test will be administered by instructors to ensure participants have mastered their equipment to hunt ethically. RAFD is looking for landowners with property within an hour of Madison.
Interested? Contact Bob Nack, DNR R3 Supervisor, at Robert.Nack@wisconsin.gov or 608-617-3492.
Katie Hill has been named the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health technician for West Central Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
As a youngster, Katie Hill found her future outdoors.
Now, as she steps in as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Forest Health technician for West Central Wisconsin, she continues working to turn those early goals into reality.
Continue reading “Katie Hill Grows Into West Central FH Technician Role”
Red pine damaged by the April 2nd, 2026, ice storm in central Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Michael Hillstrom, DNR Invasive Forest Pest Coordinator, Fitchburg
Michael.Hillstrom@wisconsin.gov or 608-513-7690
Spring 2026 has seen a variety of tree stress events. Wisconsin trees have experienced snow and ice damage, severe storms that resulted in wind, hail and flood damage and swings in temperatures that brought leaf out and subsequent frost damage.
By Bill McNee, Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov
A spongy moth caterpillar feeds on a leaf. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Property owners are encouraged to monitor their trees for spongy moth larvae and damage this summer to determine whether control measures are needed.
Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species.
However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.
Continue reading “Watch For Spongy Moth Caterpillars And Tree Damage This Summer”
Young spruce budworm larvae begin feeding as buds break, causing the new growth to crook where feeding damage occurs. Webbing shown in the photo is also common. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Linda Williams, Forest Health Specialist, Woodruff
Linda.Williams@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0665
The spruce budworm outbreak is continuing for yet another year in some areas of northern Wisconsin.
Continue reading “Spruce Budworm Outbreak Continues In 2026”
Forest tent caterpillar larvae displaying gregarious, clustering behavior on a tree stem. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Hayward
dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/foresthealth/staff, 715-416-4920
Populations of forest tent caterpillar (FTC) are likely to remain low throughout northern Wisconsin this growing season, continuing a record 23-year statewide trend.
Spring egg mass surveys showed a low presence of overwintering egg masses, suggesting that any defoliation this season is likely to be localized. Overwintering egg masses present on the twigs of deciduous twigs and branch tips are counted during surveys to forecast FTC population density and the associated risk of heavy defoliation going into spring leaf-out.
