Imagine taking a relaxing walk in a wooded area, listening to the sounds of wind through trees, birds, and water running down a stream and seeing beautiful, vibrant shade of green. This type of an environment has shown numerous benefits, from cleaner air and water to increased health benefits like reduced stress and blood pressure. Continue reading “Healthcare facilities using green spaces to help in healing”
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Hoppe Tree Service partners with Brown Deer High School to utilize urban wood
This fall semester, students at Brown Deer High School won’t have to worry about whether or not they have enough lumber supplies and project ideas to perform during their Industrial Arts Wood Shop classes. This is thanks to a partnership between the school and Hoppe Tree Service. The partnership centers around the concept of using locally sourced urban wood from Hoppe Tree Service’s Urban Wood Lab Store. The agreement not only provides lumber for the school, but also allows the student’s non-profit “business” to earn money by processing wood and creating crafts that Hoppe’s Urban Wood Lab Store can then sell to consumers. Continue reading “Hoppe Tree Service partners with Brown Deer High School to utilize urban wood”
Wisconsin efforts highlighted across the world
On September 13th, the 2nd ‘Asia Pacific Urban Forestry Meeting’ was held in Seoul, South Korea. Asia is home to a large urban population that continues to grow, almost depleting many natural resources. This meeting was hosted to share industry knowledge on how well-managed forests and urban green spaces can help relieve many of the socio-economical stresses while creating a more sustainable and resilient urban environment. This year’s meeting was focused on developing an Action Plan to “guide countries toward the sound implementation of urban forestry in the region.”
Continue reading “Wisconsin efforts highlighted across the world”
Community forests are emerging
Urban gardens and urban forests have been growing in popularity over the years. The goal of community gardens is transforming small, simple spaces into beautiful areas that can be used in many ways. Community gardens are not only for vegetables, but for trees, shrubs and grasses as well. Continue reading “Community forests are emerging”
Trees help clean the air
A recently published report from The Nature Conservancy titled “Planting Healthy Air,” detailed which cities could benefit most from tree plantings, focusing on the benefit they could gain from the heat and PM (particle matter) reduction credited to tree plantings. This report found that investing $4 per resident in these cities for tree planting could improve the health of millions, further showcasing trees as a cost-effective solution for air pollution and heat islands, among many other urban difficulties. Continue reading “Trees help clean the air”
It’s a bird, it’s a plane: drones purpose in urban forestry
Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, and urban forestry has been keeping up. One of the newer forms of technology that many urban forestry programs are utilizing is drones, or unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV).
Continue reading “It’s a bird, it’s a plane: drones purpose in urban forestry”
Urban Forestry Consultant Directory – Annual Update
Last year, the format of the DNR’s Urban Forestry Consultants Directory was updated, creating two versions; one searchable by county served and the other, an abbreviated version with companies listed alphabetically. As the application period for the next round of Urban Forestry Grants is fast approaching, we are seeking updates and additions to the consultants directory. Continue reading “Urban Forestry Consultant Directory – Annual Update”
New staff members
Recently the Urban Forestry Program has filled three positions: West Central Urban Forestry Coordinator, Urban Forestry Grant Specialist, Urban Forest Assessment Specialist. The team is looking forward to the value and expertise these individuals will bring.
April showers: urban forests improve water
Urban forestry programs and community trees provide many benefits to the individuals and families who inhabit those areas: improved mental health, increased energy savings, cleaner air and beauty. Another benefit of urban trees, and perhaps a lesser-known benefit, is better water quality. Continue reading “April showers: urban forests improve water”
New zones for Forest Health News updates
The map shows which counties are included in each Forest Health News zone for purposes of monthly news updates, as of March 2017. Subscribers to Forest Health News emails and visitors to this site who are interested in forest health articles for specific parts of the state can refer to the map to check out which forest health zone or region they’d like to read news updates from on this site. If you use tags from the menu bar on the right side of this page to sort articles remember: Forest Health News with statewide relevance is shown with a “Statewide Forest Health” tag and is not included in each zone’s tag.
For more information: Colleen Robinson, forest health educator (Colleen.Robinson@Wisconsin.gov), 608-266-2172.