The Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. Awards are presented in the categories of Next Gen, Project Partnerships, Lifetime Achievement, Innovations in Urban Forestry, Leadership and new this year, Species Diversity. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Council Award Nominations Due Oct. 31”
Awards
The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online
Governor Tony Evers made a surprise appearance to congratulate the 2024 Urban Forestry Council and Wisconsin Arborist Association award winners.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is comprised of municipal employees, elected officials, nursery operators, arborists and others who advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources.
Every year, the council bestows several awards to recognize and thank individuals and organizations across Wisconsin for their work and commitment to community forests and the economic benefits they provide. Individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin are eligible. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference.
Nominations are now being accepted online for the 2025 awards and must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. Continue reading “The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online”
Request For Urban Forestry Council Award Nominations
The 2023 Urban Forestry Council Award winners. From left to right: John Wayne Farber, Leadership Award; John Gall, Lifetime Achievement Award; Cory Gritzmacher, receiving the Innovation Award on behalf of the Mequon Nature Preserve.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, comprised of municipal employees, elected officials, nursery operators, and arborists, advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Division of Forestry on the best ways to manage urban and community forest resources.
Every year, the council bestows several awards to recognize and thank individuals, organizations, communities and tribes across Wisconsin for their work and commitment to the trees, plantings, habitat and economic benefits they provide. The awards are announced at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference in February and presented to winners in their community.
Continue reading “Request For Urban Forestry Council Award Nominations”
2023 Urban Forestry Council Award Winners
By: Kirsten Biefeld, Urban Forestry Outreach Specialist
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced their annual awards honoring those dedicated to protecting, preserving and increasing the number of trees that line city streets, fill community parks and beautify neighborhoods throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on managing urban and community forest resources.
“Wisconsin plays a critical role in conservation, especially when it comes to trees! These awards honor individuals, organizations and communities for their hard work and dedication to trees and the benefits they provide,” said Linda Cadotte, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Award Committee Chair. “It’s an honor to learn more about the incredible work happening around our state that helps support healthy community forests.”
The 2023 Urban Forestry Award winners. From left to right: John Wayne Farber, Leadership Award; John Gall, Lifetime Achievement Award; Cory Gritzmacher, receiving the Innovation Award on behalf of the Mequon Nature Preserve. Photo credit: Wisconsin DNR
Continue reading “2023 Urban Forestry Council Award Winners”
DNR Urban Forestry Program Announces 2023 Grant Recipients
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced the Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2023 grant year. The program helps fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy.
The Urban Forestry Grant Program had almost $700,000 in grant funds, with $419,860 in state funding and an additional $273,512 in federal funding. A dollar-for-dollar match puts the estimated total cost of these projects at $1.5 million. In all, 58 applications were selected to receive funding, with awards ranging from $2,106 to $25,000. Continue reading “DNR Urban Forestry Program Announces 2023 Grant Recipients”
Local Filmmakers Make Stars Out of Local Trees
Micah Davis (left) and Steve Betchkal (right) hold their Midwest Emmy, awarded for their short film “Champion Trees”. Photo Credit: Story Time with Steve & Micah Facebook page
To see a heartwarming story about the power of trees, check out “BRANCHING OUT: Local Filmmakers Score Big by Making Stars Out of Local Trees” by Eric Rasmussen. Micah Davis and Steve Betchkal (Story time with Steve and Micah) spotlight the city of Eau Claire and explore its connection with its trees in a video called Champion Trees. Continue reading “Local Filmmakers Make Stars Out of Local Trees”
DNR Urban Forestry Employees Receive NASF Award
The Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry’s own Laura Buntrock, Urban Forestry Program Specialist, and Olivia Witthun, Urban Forestry Coordinator, were awarded the National Association of State Foresters’ (NASF) Steve Sinclair Current Achievement Award for Urban and Community Forestry for their work in the recently published study on the economic benefits of urban and community forestry (UCF). The award ceremony took place at NASF’s 2022 annual meeting, and their awards represent extraordinary contributions to state and private forestry.
Olivia Witthun (left) accepts the Sinclair Current Achievement Award at the NASF 2022 annual meeting.
The economic study, covering the entirety of the Northeast-Midwest region (20 states and the District of Columbia), is the first comprehensive analysis of economic UCF benefits at a regional scale. Its findings justify the enhancement of current UCF programs and the creation of new initiatives to support urban forest management. They have already helped launch similar research in the South and the state of California.
Continue reading “DNR Urban Forestry Employees Receive NASF Award”
Tree City USA Applications Open!
The Arbor Day Foundation’s Recertification application portal for this year is now open and available. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program is working to help grow the urban tree canopy in Wisconsin. With more than 200 designated communities, almost 60% of Wisconsinites live in a Tree City USA community.
Tree City USA communities show a strong commitment to growing and maintaining a healthy tree canopy. To receive the recognition, communities must:
- maintain a tree board or department
- have a community tree ordinance
- spend at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
- celebrate Arbor Day.
Submit an Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Today!
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting nominations for the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council 2023 Awards until October 31, 2022.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is responsible for advising the DNR on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand, and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources. Every year, the council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities, and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference and are presented to winners in their community. Continue reading “Submit an Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Today!”
2021 Tree City USA Statistics and Community Recognition
The 2021 Tree City USA Summary is out, and with it is great news for Wisconsin’s Urban Forests!
Wisconsin communities reported planting 29,370 trees and spending $48,120,648 on Urban Forestry Management.
There are 201 Tree City USA communities within the Wisconsin, and 59.75% of the state lives in a Tree City USA community. Of the previous Tree City USA communities, 99% have been recertified to the program!
We deeply appreciate the commitment to urban forestry demonstrated by our 2021 Tree City, Tree Campus and Tree Line USA participants. Thank you for your hard work.
Keep reading to see more community specific awards and highlights.
Continue reading “2021 Tree City USA Statistics and Community Recognition”