Rows of pine and tamarack seedlings in late March at the Wilson State Nursery. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Joe Vande Hey, DNR Reforestation Team Leader
Joseph.VandeHey@wisconsin.gov or 608-574-4904
As of Monday, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has begun accepting seedling orders from Wisconsin landowners who plan to plant them in spring 2027.
By Brian Cole, Wisconsin DNR Forest Product Specialist
Wisconsin’s forests cover nearly half of our state and are a vital part of our collective history, culture and economy. Likewise, the Forest Products industry provides valuable jobs and contributes significantly to the economy. Forest Products Week offers an opportunity to learn about sustainable forest practices and to develop an appreciation for the valuable resources that Wisconsin forests provide.
Forest Product Week 2026 starts on Sunday, Oct. 18. Tours and special events will be hosted throughout the week at various locations, including logging sites, sawmills, paper manufacturers, secondary and urban wood manufacturers. Please save the date and join us at one of our events.
National Forest Products Week was established in 1960 with a proclamation brought forth from Congress and approved by President Kennedy, Public Law 86-753 (36 U.S.C. 123). The language in the proclamation cited the importance of forest products, dating back to the country’s founding and its ever-demanding growth cycles. A key sample from that first resolution states:
WHEREAS in order to reemphasize to each citizen in the United States the importance and heritage of our vast forest resources which are inseparably tied to our present and our future: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That:
The seven-day period beginning on the third Sunday of October in each year is hereby designated as National Forest Products Week, and the President is requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
From building materials and paper products to furniture and bioenergy, wood has a central tie to our daily lives. Today, decades after its launch, National Forest Products Week celebrates one of our nation’s most valuable resources and the people who transform trees into countless products that improve our lives.
For more information and to learn about events being held across the state, please visit the Wisconsin Forestry Center’s website.
By Scott Lyon, Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Team Leader
The Wood Industry Teacher Camp took place at the Northcentral Technical College (NTC) Wood Technology Center of Excellence in Antigo, Wisconsin, on July 29 and 30. This two-day event immersed five tech-ed teachers in a hands-on professional development experience designed to connect K–12 educators and administrators with the forest products industry. The program highlighted the many steps and career opportunities within the wood industry, from log evaluation and lumber manufacturing to lumber drying and the production of finished wood products.
A technical education teacher operating the head-rig opening the log for further processing. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
Participants operated commercial-scale equipment, including the state-of-the-art training sawmill. In addition to the hands-on experience, participants learned about resources they could take back to their classrooms and participated in an industry tour to gain further insight into the field.
Alex Anderson and Scott Lyon from the DNR Forest Products team provided guidance on operating the various sawmill equipment and shared information about the forest products industry. Their responsibilities included operating the various stations within the mill, covering safe machine operation, and allowing attendees to operate each station. Sawmill stations included the optimized headsaw, resaw, resaw pre-turner, optimized edger, trim saw and green chain/stacking area.
Outside of the sawmill, the teachers loaded the lumber they had just milled into a dry kiln and spent time learning about kiln operation and lumber drying. Participants also learned about the basics of log scaling, lumber grading, sawmill safety, saw sharpening and maintenance, primary and secondary forest product markets and much more.
Kiln drying course students stack basswood lumber to be dried in the steam kiln. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
In addition, Scott Lyon, forest products team leader, assisted in teaching the Great Lakes Kiln Drying Association’s Lumber Dry Kiln Short Course at NTC during the week of Aug. 10. The group included 10 attendees from companies across the Great Lakes states and a forest products cooperative extension specialist from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. This nationally recognized lumber drying course draws attendees from across the nation.
During the course, attendees gained a deeper understanding of the principles and practices involved in producing quality kiln-dried lumber. Topics included kiln operation, the lumber drying process, moisture control, drying schedules and factors that influence lumber quality during drying. The hands-on instruction helped participants better understand how to operate and manage a dry kiln, troubleshoot common drying challenges, and produce properly dried lumber while minimizing defects and maintaining product quality.
By Brian C. Cole, Wisconsin DNR Forest Product Specialist
Photo Credit: Wisconsin Forestry Center
At this year’s Wisconsin State Fair, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Products Services program, in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point Wisconsin Forestry Center, showcased the economic importance of Wisconsin’s forest products industry.
This included pulp and paper, lumber and non-timber forest products like maple syrup, as well as advanced forest products like biochar and sustainable aviation fuel. Wisconsin’s $27 billion forest products sector is leading the way in forest products development and sustainable forest management.
Along with forest products, fairgoers learned about forest health issues, invasive species, Wisconsin’s forest trees and tree identification. The big attraction was the Ponsse North America harvester simulator. Fairgoers had a chance to virtually operate a Ponsse Scorpion dangle head harvester and take part in a virtual, sustainable, cut-to-length harvest. Fairgoers learned about modern-day logging and why a sustainable harvest is needed for forest management.
By Alex Anderson, Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Specialist
A log handling demonstration took place outside the venue. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
On Sept. 10 and 11, members of the Wisconsin DNR Forest Products Services (FPS) staff, along with Bill McNee from the Forest Health section, attended the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association (GLTPA) Logging Expo at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
The event, which hosted over 300 exhibitors, held everything from logging equipment manufacturers to firewood production equipment companies to wood carvers. The annual event is hosted by GLTPA in Green Bay and Escanaba, Michigan on a rotating basis, so every other year, Wisconsin DNR FPS staff are able to host a booth and see what new and innovative products are hitting the market.
DNR representatives (left to right) Bill McNee, Elle Soderberg, Scott Lyon and Alex Anderson. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
In addition to connecting with industry stakeholders and seeing new products that have come to market in the past couple years, the booth provides DNR staff with an opportunity to address attendee questions and concerns regarding forest health and forest products. Scott Lyon, Ram Dahal, Elle Soderberg, Brian Cole and Alex Anderson all attended the event.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
*These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
See below for information on training topics and events, including invasive species, biochar, climate change, tree care, emergency response, tree ID and biology, insurance issues, municipal programs, volunteer opportunities and research project presentations. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events”
Linda Williams, DNR Forest Health specialist for Northeast Wisconsin, inspects a tree during a training session. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Forest Health Communications, Fitchburg;
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
Linda Williams, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for Northeast Wisconsin, will speak at multiple “Learn About Your Land” teaching events scheduled in September.
Continue reading “Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances”
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
* These training opportunities are provided as an information service only and do not constitute endorsement by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
See below for information on training topics and events, including planting, urban forestry risks, invasive species, tree selection, emergency response, tree biology, climbing and several upcoming conferences. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events”
A hunter prepares to safely climb into a tree stand. Hunters are advised to stay away from ash trees when choosing a tree to use for their stand, due to the possibility of hidden damage to the tree due to emerald ash borer. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Wisconsin DNR
As deer hunters begin to scout for suitable tree stand locations, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) warns hunters to avoid placing their deer stands in or near ash trees.
That’s because of the scourge of emerald ash borer (EAB), which has been confirmed present in all 72 Wisconsin counties. It has already left most ash trees in the southern half of Wisconsin dead or dying, along with many in Door County and the Mississippi River counties.
Continue reading “Avoid Ash Trees When Scouting For Deer Stand Locations”
