DNR Catastrophic Storm Grant Application Now Open

Posted on by patricialindquist

Credit: Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

On Thursday, July 29, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #128, declaring a State of Emergency due to severe weather across the state of Wisconsin. This has triggered the opening of the DNR Urban Forestry’s Catastrophic Storm Grant program for communities, counties, tribal governments and 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for funding. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27.

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Resources For Storm-Damaged Trees

Posted on by patricialindquist

Credit: Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Did your community experience damage from the storms that went through the state recently? You may find these resources useful. The links below could also be posted on municipal websites to direct homeowners to more information.

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Seed Collecting For DNR’s Reforestation Program: Pickers Wanted!

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By Jeremiah Auer, Regeneration Specialist, Jeremiah.Auer@wisconsin.gov

Credit: USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, Bugwood.org

The Wisconsin DNR’s Reforestation program has been producing seedlings at its nurseries since 1911. In that time, there have been many changes in personnel, growing techniques and distribution methods. However, something that remained constant is the source of those seedlings: actual seed from Wisconsin’s many native trees and shrubs. From the tiny, pepper-like seed of aspen to the large, green-husked black walnut, the Reforestation staff collects, cleans, sows and stores hundreds of pounds of over 30 species of native tree and shrub seed every year.

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Tree Inventory Accounts Available

Posted on by patricialindquist

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

Do you have a tree inventory but have had a hard time keeping it current, or you’re interested in inventorying some trees of your own? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is funding several accounts for communities or organizations to edit data within the Wisconsin Community Tree Map, a compilation of tree inventories from around the state. The map shows where trees are located and includes information about each tree, such as diameter, health condition and street address.

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Tree City USA: Wisconsin By The Numbers

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Since 1976, Tree City USA has been a catalyst for community tree care and a powerful force for promoting urban forestry. This program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) and administered in Wisconsin by the DNR, provides communities with a tangible goal and national recognition for their community forestry efforts. Wisconsin has 201 Tree City USAs, ranking it second in the nation!

A 2020 summary by ADF provides the following statistics on Wisconsin’s Tree City USAs:

  • 60% of Wisconsin lives in a Tree City USA
  • $51,319,634 was spent on urban forestry management ($14.65 average per capita)
  • 31,413 trees were planted
  • 20 communities received Growth Awards

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DNR Offering Surface Water Grant Funding

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Surface Water Grant Program is accepting applications from eligible organizations to support projects that protect and restore Wisconsin waterbodies.

More than $6 million is available to provide cost-sharing grants to support projects in the following areas:

  • Education, outreach and organization development
  • Planning for lakes, rivers and watersheds
  • Lake protection planning and implementation
  • Restoration of surface water, shorelands and wetlands
  • Management plan implementation
  • Aquatic invasive species prevention and control
  • Land acquisition/conservation easements

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EAB Found In Barron County

Posted on by patricialindquist

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

Emerald ash borer (EAB) has been discovered for the first time in Barron County, in the town of Lakeland. Dead and dying green ash were observed and larval specimens were subsequently lab-confirmed. Most of the green ash across a 20-acre area are either dead or dying from EAB attack.

Dead and dying green ash trees with characteristic woodpecker damage

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Heterobasidion Root Disease (HRD) Found In Fond Du Lac And Racine Counties

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By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh, bill.mcnee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

Heterobasidion root disease (HRD), formerly known as annosum root rot, was recently found in Fond du Lac and Racine counties for the first time. Thinned pine stands were surveyed by DNR forestry staff in four eastern counties where the disease had not been previously found (Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Racine and Winnebago counties).

Counties where Heterobasidion root disease (HRD) has been found as of August 2021 are shown in green.

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Oak Wilt Symptoms Visible Now

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

Symptoms of oak wilt are showing up. Look for leaves that suddenly wilt and drop from the tree. Oak wilt is a non-curable, fungal disease specific to oaks. Trees in the red oak family will die quickly from this disease, while trees in the white oak family will die more slowly, with a branch or portion of the crown becoming infected. 

This tree is actively wilting from oak wilt infection and will drop most of its leaves within about 4-6 weeks.

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