Recently, the DNR Urban Forestry Program and the Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) recently held the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With the theme “Healthy Benefits to Enriching Your Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Knowledge,” the conference was three full days of exhibits, presentations from experts across the world, and networking events and opportunities. There was record attendance this year, beating out last year’s record of 750. This year, the WAA offered a new Utility Track of presentations that allowed members to learn more about technologies in community forestry and other topics to help those who attended. Continue reading “Review 2017 WAA annual conference” →

Arbor Day has a long tradition in Wisconsin. This historic holiday has been celebrated in Wisconsin since 1883, and continues to be celebrated here and around the world. Many communities combine their Arbor Day celebrations with Tree City USA anniversaries and related achievements. Tree City USA, a program through the Arbor Day Foundation, acknowledges the commitment of a community to its urban trees. In addition to Tree City USA materials to help create a local celebration, Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry offers materials, games, activities, facts and more to support your community in planning the perfect Arbor Day celebration. Arbor Day is an important part of Wisconsin’s history and has always been celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. Continue reading “Collecting your local Arbor Day stories” →

The Wisconsin Arborist Association (WAA) teams up with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to present the WAA/DNR Annual Urban Forestry Conference, Healthy Benefits to Enriching Your Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Knowledge. This three-day conference is intended for professional arborists, community foresters, nursery professionals, park and recreation directors and staff, tree care workers, landscape architects, green industry professionals, community administrators, volunteers, and students to come together with top researchers and educators to learn the latest in research, innovations and industry developments and issues. ISA Continuing Education Unit (CEU’s) credits and Certified Treecare Safety Professional (CTSP) credits are available for qualifying presentations. Continue reading “Annual Urban Forestry conference announced” →

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” →

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” →