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Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans

Posted on by akabelowsky
The invasive plant japanese barberry growing in a woodland area.

Originally planted as a garden ornamental, Japanese barberry can quickly escape cultivation and invade Wisconsin’s woodlands. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

As winter begins to loosen its grip on Wisconsin, many gardeners have turned their thoughts to that unmistakable harbinger of spring: Planting season.

While dreaming of spring blooms and designing your next garden or landscape layout, consider that invasive plants may try to weed their way into your plans.

Continue reading “Keep Invasive Plants Out Of Spring Planting Plans” →

Yard Tree Owners, Send In Your Questions

Posted on by akabelowsky
The niversity of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program's webpage for "Ask A Gardening Question."

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Horticulture Program’s webpage for “Ask A Gardening Question,” the best place for homeowners to ask questions about the health of their yard trees. / Graphic Credit: UW-Madison Division of Extension

By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Outreach and Communications, Fitchburg; Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a team of Forest Health specialists that focus on problems affecting state, county and municipal forests and private forests larger than 10 acres.

But, to twist a cliché, if you can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to your yard trees, expert help is a few clicks away.

Continue reading “Yard Tree Owners, Send In Your Questions” →

Open MFL And FCL Updates Shown In Public Access Land Map

Posted on by akabelowsky
Sample area of a map showing representation of private forest lands open for recreation.

Updated private forest lands open for recreation layer showing the approximate area of enrolled lands. / Map Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Managed Forest Land (MFL) and Forest Crop Land (FCL) open for public recreation have been updated in the DNR Public Access Land (PAL) mapping application to show the approximate on-the-ground area of these private forest lands open for recreation.

These areas are based on the MFL or FCL map, the tax parcel(s) and legal description(s) of the enrolled land. The features replace the point representation, which only identified the public land survey system (PLSS) quarter-quarter section of open MFL and FCL land. Users then had to download an MFL or FCL map to see the area of open land.

This update will allow users to see the approximate open MFL and FCL areas in relation to other basemap layers, such as roads, other public lands and tax parcels. The MFL and FCL maps are still available for download after selecting a specific property and viewing the detailed information for that enrollment.

Additionally, an access point layer has been created showing the access point and a description of the access for open MFL and FCL properties where access is not from an adjacent public road or other public land.

The MFL/FCL PAL help document has also been updated.

Questions or comments can be submitted through the PAL Help link available in the Terms of Use upon opening PAL, or by clicking the “Info” button in the lower right corner of the map.

 

 

 

Arbor Day Caps Off A Week Of Environmental Action And Celebration

Posted on by janness
kids planting a tree

Photo Credit: Olivia Witthun, Wisconsin DNR

Don’t think of Arbor Day as the end of Forest Appreciation Week, think of it as the beginning of tree planting season! Arbor Day is a celebration rooted in a simple but powerful idea that planting trees is an investment in the future.

The first Arbor Day started as a community effort to restore trees in Nebraska. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, led this effort, and on April 10, 1872, the first official Arbor Day was celebrated. The success of the first tree-planting holiday spread quickly, and today, it is observed in all 50 states and in many countries around the world. The Arbor Day Foundation estimates tens of millions of trees are planted each year in honor of Arbor Day. Continue reading “Arbor Day Caps Off A Week Of Environmental Action And Celebration” →

Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)

Posted on by janness

For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public on proper tree care. Here are some tips to get your messages noticed followed by sample social media posts.

  • Use pictures of local trees in your posts to inspire community members to get out and explore the local urban forest.
  • Share pictures of past tree-planting events to generate enthusiasm.
  • Ask a question to encourage engagement.
  • Include links to more information.
  • Share stories about interesting local trees such as the oldest tree, the biggest tree, the most unique-looking tree or a tree that has survived a catastrophic event.
  • Do you have any local celebrities in your community? Have the mayor or a librarian or school superintendent share stories about their favorite trees.

Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)” →

Urban Forestry Award Winners Announced

Posted on by janness

The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced its 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.

2026 Award Winners

Pictured left to right: Corey Gritzmacher (Mequon Nature Preserve), Jamie Ferschinger, (MMSD), Jacob Fincher (Sweet Water), Jeremy Kane (Urban Tree Alliance), Tom Jerow (City of Rhinelander); Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Linda Cadotte, chair of the Urban Forestry Council commented, “Those who champion and advance Wisconsin’s urban forests often do so without recognition. With these awards, we aim to shine a light on a few of the dedicated leaders whose outstanding contributions today are helping to ensure a healthy, resilient tree canopy for tomorrow.” Continue reading “Urban Forestry Award Winners Announced” →

Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026

Posted on by janness

DNR LogoThe Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting applications for the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Program through May 1, 2026. The DNR will consider all complete applications received by this date.

Eligible applicants include towns, villages, cities, counties, tribal governing bodies and school districts.

Application materials are located on the DNR’s website. Please contact your regional Project Manager prior to submitting an application.   Continue reading “Land And Water Conservation Fund Program Grant Application Due May 1, 2026” →

Oak Wilt Information Updated

Posted on by akabelowsky
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online tool to help with oak wilt decisions.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension online tool provides users localized information about the estimated emergence status of the two most important insects that transmit oak wilt in Wisconsin. / Graphic Credit: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension

By Kyoko Scanlon, DNR Forest Pathologist, Fitchburg
Kyoko.Scanlon@wisconsin.gov

In 2025, oak wilt was detected for the first time in Hughes Township, Bayfield County, a northern Wisconsin location where oak wilt remains uncommon. There were no new county finds in 2025.

Based on the findings in 2025, the maps in the Oak Harvesting Guidelines To Reduce The Risk Of Introduction And Spread Of Oak Wilt (the oak wilt guidelines), oak wilt fact sheet and were updated. The maps in the oak wilt guidelines are good through the end of 2026.

Continue reading “Oak Wilt Information Updated” →

Stilt Grass StoryMap Updated For 2026

Posted on by akabelowsky
Main page of the Wisconsin DNR's StoryMap on Japanese stilt grass.

The main page of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ StoryMap titled “Japanese Stilt Grass on the Coulee Experimental State Forest.” / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Carter Hellenbrand, DNR Invasive Plant Field Specialist, Fitchburg
Carter.Hellenbrand@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health program has updated the Japanese stilt grass StoryMap to reflect all the work completed in 2025. The StoryMap documents the history of this invasive species on the Coulee Experimental State Forest in La Crosse County.

A StoryMap is a web-based content creation and communication tool that allows creators to share maps, apps and multimedia in the context of a narrative. Users can see an overview of Japanese stilt grass, how to identify it and what control efforts have been implemented since the plant was first detected in Wisconsin in 2020.

Continue reading “Stilt Grass StoryMap Updated For 2026” →