Events

Forest Health Staff Public Appearance Set

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team leader Becky Gray will discuss invasives during a presentation to the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, set for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR

Forest Health team leader Becky Gray has planned an appearance at a public meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC). She’ll give a presentation covering invasives on a statewide level.

The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI. More information is available on the SEWISC website.

Take In Wisconsin’s Beautiful Bounty Of Fall Colors

Photo of a trail at Sheboygan's Kohler-Andrae State Park with fallen leaves all around.

Fall colors set a trail at Sheboygan’s Kohler-Andrae State Park ablaze in 2021. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

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

Once again, it’s time for nature’s majestic paintbrush to spread its magic across Wisconsin.

Many of the state’s trees have begun to show off their amazing fall colors, brightening the view for state residents and visitors everywhere – from the restful resplendence of our urban areas and state properties to the drive-by dazzlement of our tree-lined country roads.

“It’s a brilliant and colorful display,” said Scott Lyon, leader of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Products team. “The Badger State is home to many deciduous hardwood species which change colors and lose their leaves as the seasons change, including maple, oaks, hickories and aspen.”

Continue reading “Take In Wisconsin’s Beautiful Bounty Of Fall Colors”

First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years

By Patricia Lindquist, Urban Forestry Coordinator; patricia.lindquist@wisconsin.gov or (715) 574-1314

Group planOn Aug. 20, 2024, the First Downs for Trees program celebrated its 14th year with a ceremonial tree planting at Amelia Cornelius Park, Oneida Nation. The program is a cooperative effort between the DNR, the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Public Service and corporate sponsor Green Bay Packaging, Inc. The donated trees offset the Packers’ carbon footprint when flying to away games.

In 2024, 402 landscape-sized trees were planted by sixteen communities: Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, Oneida, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown. The trees were provided by Meacham and Leaves Inspired nurseries. Since its inception, the First Downs for Trees program has donated 7,194 trees. Continue reading “First Downs For Trees Celebrates 14 Years”

CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events

When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMAs) are often the first line of defense (and offense).

These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties.

Continue reading “CISMAs Plan Invasive Plant Events”

Forest Health Public Appearance Set

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

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health team leader Becky Gray will discuss invasives during a presentation to the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, set for Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest in Milwaukee. / Photo Credit: Art Kabelowsky, Wisconsin DNR

Forest Health team leader Becky Gray has planned an appearance at a public meeting of the Southeastern Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium (SEWISC). She’ll give a presentation covering invasives on a statewide level.

The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, at Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI. More information is available on the SEWISC website.

Williams to appear at WWOA event: Linda Williams will take part in a Field Day event to discuss oak and pine issues during the four-day Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association meeting, set for Sept. 26-29 in Marshfield and Stevens Point. Four tours will take place Sept. 27; the Field Day will take place Sept. 29 at Pine Bluff Tree Farm in Stevens Point.

The event is open to the public. For more information, visit the event’s website or call 715-346-4798.

CISMA Events For August, September

By Erika Segerson-Mueller, DNR Invasive Plant Program Specialist, Oshkosh Service Center;
erika.segersonmueller@wisconsin.gov or 715-492-0391

A chart showing Wisconsin's different Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas boundaries.When it comes to fighting invasive plants, Wisconsin’s CISMAs (Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas) are often the first line of defense (and offense). These regional groups provide a localized resource for landowners looking for invasive plant education, identification support and assistance with controlling invasives on their properties. Continue reading “CISMA Events For August, September”

Register For The 2024 Partners In Community Forestry Conference

The Arbor Day Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2024 Partners in Community Forestry Conference and Alliance for Community Trees Day will be held in Chicago, Illinois Nov. 20-21.

This gathering unites passionate individuals, communities, organizations and leaders to explore innovative solutions, share insights and collaborate on the future of urban forestry. Join leaders across the industry to focus on strengthening the bonds between people and trees, fostering sustainable practices and creating green, thriving urban landscapes. Continue reading “Register For The 2024 Partners In Community Forestry Conference”

The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online

Governor Tony Evers made a surprise appearance to congratulate the 2024 Urban Forestry Council and Wisconsin Arborist Association award winners.

The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is comprised of municipal employees, elected officials, nursery operators, arborists and others who advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin’s urban and community forest resources.

Every year, the council bestows several awards to recognize and thank individuals and organizations across Wisconsin for their work and commitment to community forests and the economic benefits they provide. Individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin are eligible. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Urban Forestry Conference.

Nominations are now being accepted online for the 2025 awards and must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. Continue reading “The Urban Forestry Council Award Nomination Form Is Now Online”

Five Years Later, Effects Of Derecho Remain

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

Over the night of July 19-20, 2019, Mother Nature carved a massive swath of destruction through northern Wisconsin.

Today, after years of hard work cleaning up after the massive derecho windstorm of ’19, local foresters, work crews and landowners have only begun to understand the breadth and depth of the damage as they process the lessons learned.

In many areas, the recovery work remains incomplete. Some of that forest damage will never receive direct attention.

Continue reading “Five Years Later, Effects Of Derecho Remain”

‘Cicadapalooza’ Makes Noise In Lake Geneva

Photo showing dozens of recently emerged cicadas rest on a tree trunk at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva on May 30, 2024.

Dozens of recently emerged cicadas rest on a tree trunk at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva on May 30, 2024. / Photo Credit: Sarah Wolski, Wisconsin DNR

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

Brood XIII periodical cicadas apparently love Lake Geneva. The Wisconsin hotspot for Brood XIII has again been the resort city of Lake Geneva, located just a few miles from the Illinois border. It experienced Wisconsin’s first emergence of the insects’ latest 17-year cycle on May 17. Cicadas remained active – noisily so – through late June.

The city of Lake Geneva, joined by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Entomology department, celebrated the insects’ return with Cicadapalooza, a family-friendly, free pop-up event on June 8 that included guided walking tours, presentations by UW-Madison entomologists, cicada merchandise, food and more.

Continue reading “‘Cicadapalooza’ Makes Noise In Lake Geneva”