Keep Wildlife Wild: Know What To Do If You Encounter Young Wild Animals This Spring

Posted on by janness

fawn behind leavesAs warmer weather approaches, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds the public that wild animals and their young will be on the move across Wisconsin.

“Springtime brings a flurry of inquiries from concerned individuals about the wildlife they are encountering. It is perfectly natural for many species of young wild animals to be left alone for extended periods of time, and they should not be disturbed,” said Jenna Fastner, DNR captive wildlife health specialist. “Wild animals are well-adapted to life in the wild and learning natural behaviors from their own species is imperative to their survival.”

Knowing what to do before you find a young wild animal can make all the difference in the moment to protect it and keep it in the wild with its parents. Continue reading “Keep Wildlife Wild: Know What To Do If You Encounter Young Wild Animals This Spring” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness

 * These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

See below for information on training topics and events, including flowering trees, climbing events, ecological restoration and gardening, urban forestry risks, soil health, chainsaw training, useful software and online tools, advocacy, career advancement and maintaining optimism.

Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers speaks to a group after a tree planting to celebrate Arbor Day.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers speaks at a 2025 Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day tree-planting event in Green Bay. The governor assisted in the planting of 15 large shade trees as part of Wisconsin’s participation in the Trillion Trees Pledge. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers didn’t have to go out on a limb to make this announcement.

By issuing a Governor’s Proclamation this week, Gov. Evers has shined a spotlight on Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestland. His announcement officially recognizes Wisconsin’s participation in Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day.

“Wisconsin’s trees and forests are among the state’s most beautiful and critical natural resources,” Gov. Evers wrote, “and educating kids, families and communities about sustainable forestry is vital to their long-term conservation.”

Continue reading “Governor Plants Seeds Of Celebration For Wisconsin’s Forests” →

Aerial Spraying For Spongy Moth Planned at Perrot State Park

Posted on by akabelowsky
A map showing the area to be covered by a 2026 aerial spray for spongy moth caterpillar control at Perrot State Park.

A map showing the 2026 spongy moth caterpillar aerial spraying area planned for Perrot State Park in Trempealeau County. / Map Credit: Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov

This spring, a portion of Perrot State Park in Trempealeau County will be aerially treated for spongy moth with “Foray” bacterial insecticide, containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki.

A reproducing population of the leaf-eating caterpillar was detected in the park last fall, leading to the decision to conduct aerial spraying in 2026.

Continue reading “Aerial Spraying For Spongy Moth Planned at Perrot State Park” →

April Brings Celebration of Wisconsin’s Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
An overhead view of a group of children kneeling in a circle while planting a tree.

A group of children in Cedarburg gathers to plant a tree as part of an Arbor Day observance. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

It takes more than one celebration to pay tribute to Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of rich, diverse forestland.

So, the state has come up with multiple ways to acknowledge the value of trees to Wisconsin’s ecology, economy, health and way of life. Three of the biggest ones are taking place in April:

  • Earth Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 22.
  • Arbor Day is set for Friday, April 24.
  • Forest Appreciation Week runs April 20-24 statewide, covering both of those dates.

Continue reading “April Brings Celebration of Wisconsin’s Forests” →

Video Explains Importance Of Oak Wilt Prevention

Posted on by akabelowsky
A frame-grab from the Wisconsin DNR's video explaining the tree disease oak wilt.

Landowner Montgomery Mouw and DNR Forest Health specialist Linda Williams inspect oaks as part of a DNR video explaining the disease oak wilt. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Owners of oak trees, the time for caution is now.

Your oaks are at risk of oak wilt infection if they undergo pruning work or are damaged —even inadvertently — between April and mid-July.

Continue reading “Video Explains Importance Of Oak Wilt Prevention” →

‘Exploding Trees’ Face Long-term Impacts

Posted on by akabelowsky
A long vertical wound in a tree trunk caused by deep freezing.

Cracked bark and wood creates a long vertical wound typical of the phenomenon commonly called “exploding trees.” / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

This past winter, “exploding trees” went viral on social media. Many news outlets followed up with a more realistic explanation of the dramatically named phenomenon, pointing out that while the bitter cold can cause sudden cracks to form on trees, the trees don’t truly explode.

But what happens to those damaged trees as we warm up and move into the growing season?

Continue reading “‘Exploding Trees’ Face Long-term Impacts” →

Huge White Grubs Found In Firewood, Rotting Logs

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of large white grub larvae discovered inside logs being split for firewood.

Large white grub larvae discovered while splitting firewood. The insects are living in a piece of firewood with a lot of decay. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Hermit flower beetles (Osmoderma spp.) are very large scarab beetles, sometimes called leather beetles.

Three Osmoderma species can be found in Wisconsin, though none are common. Adult beetles look big and beefy but are harmless, eating a little pollen, feeding on ripe fruit and sipping nectar and tree sap during their adult life.

Continue reading “Huge White Grubs Found In Firewood, Rotting Logs” →

Salt Spray Damage Impacts White Pine

Posted on by akabelowsky
A closeup of white pine needles showing browning due to damage from roadside salt spraying.

White pine with browning needles and needle tips from roadside salt spray damage. The uninjured overwintering buds at the base of the shoot will produce a new flush of growth in the spring, thereby reducing the visual appearance and health impact of the damage. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

An active winter weather season for snow, freezing rain and fluctuating freeze/thaw temperatures has exposed white pine along roadways to salt spray damage.

Vaporized salt spray droplets from vehicle traffic can drift into the air and settle onto vegetation, with the heaviest deposits occurring within 150 feet of a roadway.

Continue reading “Salt Spray Damage Impacts White Pine” →

Jumping Worms A Threat To Gardens And Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
Closeup of a jumping worm on soil.

Closeup of a jumping worm (Amynthas agrestis). / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Invasive jumping worms are worrisome for several reasons, but here’s one of the main ones: It can be difficult to tell you even have them until they’ve already done their damage.

That makes this time of year important, because the best way to avoid damage from jumping worms, which can be substantial and long-lasting, is to prevent them from getting into your garden, yard or forestland in the first place.

Continue reading “Jumping Worms A Threat To Gardens And Forests” →