Where one chapter ends another begins. Su DaWalt, Urban Forestry Financial Specialist, is retiring from her work at Wisconsin DNR. In this role her primary responsibility was to coordinate the policy and implementation of our Urban Forestry grant and financing programs. She has implemented many process improvements to streamline and document the grant process for staff and potential applicants. She helped document and share other potential funding sources. Additionally, she worked with numerous partners, grant applicants and staff to improve, implement and train them in the various processes and materials. Su will be missed, but we know she will do amazing things in her retirement. Continue reading “Financial Specialist retires after 35 years”
Events
Successful community tree graduate workshop
All the students in a wagon headed to prune trees.
This year was the inaugural Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute (WCTMI) graduate workshop, hosted by Wisconsin DNR’s Urban Forestry Program. It was held over two days in mid-October at the Green Lake Conference Center. The location offered beautiful scenery and an abundance of trees to evaluate, prune and discuss. Despite the slightly inclement weather, the attendees enjoyed themselves and were happy to be back and connect with others. Continue reading “Successful community tree graduate workshop”
Nominate individuals for arborist recognition
Every year several awards are presented by the Wisconsin Arborists Association (WAA) to various citizens and partners dedicated to improving Wisconsin’s urban forests and supporting the work of WAA. Wisconsin DNR’s Urban Forestry program is a co-sponsor of their annual meeting/conference each February (bookmark this site and check back for 2017 conference details). Every year WAA presents their awards and nominations at this conference. Nomination Forms are now available. Please return to Randy Krouse by December 16, 2016. Continue reading “Nominate individuals for arborist recognition”
Mark your calendars
Deadlines
Arbor Day Foundation – for more information on the deadlines below please contact your Regional Urban Forestry Coordinator.
Tree Line USA applications – December 1, 2016
Tree City USA applications – December 31, 2016
Tree Campus USA applications – December 31, 2016
40th Anniversary of Tree City USA recognized at reception
Left to right: Curt Witynski, LWM; Don Kissinger, DNR; August Hoppe, WAA; Tracy Salisbury, DNR; Pete Smith, ADF; Will Erickson, DNR Green Tier; Alex Elias, DNR; Jeff Roe, DNR; Twink Jan-Mahon, WUW.
Photo credit: Gail Sumi, LWM
On Thursday, October 20, the Urban Forestry (UF) Team provided municipalities an opportunity to celebrate and learn more about the Tree City USA program and the ways it can bring pride and health to their local communities, at an evening reception during the annual League of Wisconsin Municipalities (LWM) conference. Continue reading “40th Anniversary of Tree City USA recognized at reception”
Forestry professionals gather in Madison
Professional foresters from across the U.S. and Canada are gathering in Madison on Nov. 3-6 for the 2016 national Society of American Foresters convention. Wisconsin DNR forester Julie Peltier, who is serving as general chair of the convention, said the gathering of about 1,600 foresters will provide the opportunity to showcase Wisconsin’s 17.1 million acres of forests and the social, cultural, ecological and economic benefits they provide. Read more in this DNR news release. For more information, contact Kirsten Held, Kirsten.Held@Wisconsin.gov.
Nominate someone for council awards
The Urban Forestry Council (UFC) is a group comprised of members from municipalities throughout the state, elected officials, nursery employees and arborists that help inform and guide the DNR, specifically the Urban Forestry Program, about the needs of the communities.
Every year, the UFC, in partnership with DNR Division of Forestry Urban Forestry Program, strives to recognize individuals and organizations who have worked to increase tree planting, care, preservation, habitat and other benefits of urban trees through an awards ceremony. The awards are presented to individuals or organizations at Wisconsin’s Annual Urban Forestry Conference. Nominations for the 2017 awards are due on October 31, 2016, so please nominate people or organizations that you think exemplify the following UFC awards. Continue reading “Nominate someone for council awards”
State forest meetings scheduled for Nov 2 and 3
You are invited to attend open house meetings to review and comment on proposed changes to master plans for several northern forests and on a 15 year review of the Brule River State Forest master plan. The meetings are scheduled for November 2 in Woodruff and Black River Falls and November 3 in Brule and Winter. You may also review the documents, fill out surveys and submit comments online through the master planning pages for the properties. Comment deadline is November 21, 2016. Read more in this DNR news release.
Stratford holds Environmental Appreciation Day
Don Kissinger showing community members about proper pruning techniques
The Stratford FFA worked with the Stratford Village Tree Advisory Board to develop an Environmental Appreciation Day held on October 1, 2016. Stratford FFA member Tristan Wirkus said, “the goals of this event are to increase the use of Heritage Trail, inform the community about tree identification and health, provide environmental awareness opportunities, and become a Tree City USA.” To become a Tree City USA a community must host an event, such as the Stratford FFA Environmental Appreciation Day.
Continue reading “Stratford holds Environmental Appreciation Day”
Festival celebrates urban forests
The Fourth Annual Urban Forest Fest was held September 24 at Lynden Sculpture Garden in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Approximately 500 people learned the log-to-table story of urban wood and the many uses of local trees after they are cut down. Sawmill demonstrations, kid’s tree climbing, urban wood furniture and informational fair, Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, Falafel Guys food truck, and hands-on art and nature activities were all part of the event. For more information on Urban Forestry events visit the WDNR Urban Forestry events page.
For more information, contact Ellen Clark (EllenA.Clark@Wisconsin.gov), DNR Urban Forestry Communication Specialist, 608- 267-2774.