By Grace Hershberg, DNR Forestry Associate Communication Specialist
Take a walk through a forest on a fall day and what do you see? Probably a lot of trees. Some may be vibrant, their leaves painted shades of orange, yellow and red while the conifers hold tight to their striking green needles. But amidst the beauty and tranquility it may not dawn upon forest users to consider the socioeconomic impacts of forests.
Wisconsin is home to almost 17 million acres of forest land, making it a hub for diversified forest markets and non-market benefits a like. From the lumber and paper industries that fall under the forest products sector, to the ecosystem services provided by forests such as carbon sequestration, forests play a crucial role in our lives through the goods and services they provide.
Did you know that Wisconsin had 201 Tree City USAs this year? It’s the first time we’ve crossed the 200 threshold!
Part of our mission at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is to bring community foresters together to learn from one another and to provide training opportunities. Recently, one village administrator took it upon himself to do just that within his county.
The Urban Wood Network (UWN) will host its second annual 
Driftless Area Land Conservancy will host Safety and Woods Worker (SAWW)-certified chainsaw safety and efficiency training near Muscoda, Wisconsin. Luke Saunders of Adaptive Restoration LLC will be the trainer.
A new national initiative will provide $7 million in funding for community-based organizations to work on park equity and racial justice.