For many years the Urban and Community Forestry Program has maintained the Urban Forestry Consultants Directory, a document containing contact information and services provided by consultants who have made themselves known to DNR. Each May, we ask those listed to review their information and submit any necessary updates. We also welcome new submittals at this time, and throughout the year! Continue reading “Urban Forestry Consultant Directory – Annual update request”
Did you know?
Figure out when your trees will bloom
The Morton Arboretum is releasing information monthly on growing degree days. Plants, insects and fungi all develop at various times depending on temperature. Development will speed up or slow down depending on the rise and fall of temperature. Several studies have worked to understand the relationship between heat and development. These studies and information from them help anticipate flowering of trees and shrubs and the emergence of insects based on how many growing days have accumulated. Continue reading “Figure out when your trees will bloom”
Welcoming a new team member
T
he Urban Forestry team has recently added a new member, Abner Jacobson. Abner will be an Urban Forestry Grant Specialist. Originally from the East Side of Madison, Abner graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2017 with degrees in Communication Arts and Political Science. Continue reading “Welcoming a new team member”
Evergreen: A Holiday History
By Dan Buckler, Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
The winter blues are not a modern phenomenon, but something that struck an existential chord in our ancestors. Luckily there were things growing in the forests which sparked hope in hearts until the sun returned, slowly but surely, at the winter solstice. Continue reading “Evergreen: A Holiday History”
Healthcare facilities using green spaces to help in healing
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”
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”