Forest benefits

April Brings Celebration of Wisconsin’s Forests

Posted on by akabelowsky
An overhead view of a group of children kneeling in a circle while planting a tree.

A group of children in Cedarburg gathers to plant a tree as part of an Arbor Day observance. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

It takes more than one celebration to pay tribute to Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of rich, diverse forestland.

So, the state has come up with multiple ways to acknowledge the value of trees to Wisconsin’s ecology, economy, health and way of life. Three of the biggest ones are taking place in April:

  • Earth Day will be observed on Wednesday, April 22.
  • Arbor Day is set for Friday, April 24.
  • Forest Appreciation Week runs April 20-24 statewide, covering both of those dates.

Continue reading “April Brings Celebration of Wisconsin’s Forests” →

A Hopefully Not-Too-Deep Look Into i-Tree Benefits

Posted on by janness

By Dan Buckler, DNR Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
Daniel.Buckler@wisconsin.gov or 608-445-4578

Trees work in mysterious ways, and, for some users, so does i-Tree. The suite of software, developed by the USDA Forest Service and Davey Tree Expert Company, can, among other things, calculate the societal benefits of trees. Below, I try to summarize and demystify some of these estimates of ecosystem services, a somewhat sterile term for some of the cool things trees do for society and the wider environment.

Because the benefits identified in i-Tree only scratch the surface of trees’ importance to one’s community, it could be problematic and limiting if estimates from i-Tree are solely relied on to justify the investment in tree preservation, maintenance or planting. Nonetheless, these estimates help tell the story of the good work trees do in our communities. Continue reading “A Hopefully Not-Too-Deep Look Into i-Tree Benefits” →

2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published

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The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' 2024 Forest Health Annual Report.

The cover of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ 2024 Forest Health Annual Report. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Hot off the digital presses, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has made its 2024 Forest Health Annual Report ready for review and download.

This year’s edition contains 58 pages of reporting on forest health issues throughout Wisconsin, detailing methods employed by the DNR and other agencies to control pests and diseases.

Continue reading “2024 Forest Health Annual Report Published” →

Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients

Posted on by janness

Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the Urban Forestry (UF) Grant Program recipients for the 2025 grant year. In addition to helping fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy,  reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses from the atmosphere, and improving the quality of life and public health of communities, the UF Grant Program will help advance goals outlined in Gov. Evers’ Trillion Trees Pledge commitment, which includes planting 1 million trees in urban areas by the end of 2030. Continue reading “Gov. Evers, DNR Announce 2025 Urban Forestry Program Grant Recipients” →

Take In Wisconsin’s Beautiful Bounty Of Fall Colors

Posted on by akabelowsky
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” →

DNR Supports School-Based Urban Forest Canopy In Green Bay

Posted on by janness

By Jonathan Ismail, Outreach Specialist, LEAF K-12 Forestry Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Jismail@uwsp.edu or 715-346-3229

Photo credit: Scott Stromberger

How can learning be enhanced outdoors? What does a tree canopy at a “green” school look like? Can an outdoor classroom be an effective learning environment?

Edison Middle School in Green Bay is exploring outdoor STEM learning opportunities thanks to partnerships with DNR Urban Forestry, American Transmission Company (ATC) and LEAF K-12 Forestry Education. The plan to create an outdoor classroom grew from a discussion Urban Forestry Coordinator Tracy Salisbury had with ATC staff looking for opportunities to give back to communities. ATC’s interest in funding STEM education in their communities was a natural fit for the DNR’s goal to increase tree canopies at schools. Continue reading “DNR Supports School-Based Urban Forest Canopy In Green Bay” →

Best Disposal Methods For Garlic Mustard

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

Summer can be prime time for invasive plant control, with garlic mustard pulls and many other plant- or location-specific events taking place to confront invasive plants head-on.

Wanting to do your best to help, you might pull garlic mustard along your local hiking trail. But what should you do after you pull it?

Read on for invasive plant disposal tips to ensure you don’t inadvertently do more harm than good with your control efforts.

Continue reading “Best Disposal Methods For Garlic Mustard” →

Wisconsin Expands Trillion Trees Pledge

Posted on by akabelowsky

By Carmen Hardin, DNR Applied Forestry Bureau Director;
Carmen.Hardin@wisconsin.gov

Photo of seed cleaning equipment at Hayward State Nursery

Existing seed cleaning equipment at Hayward State Nursery is scheduled for an update.

Landowners across the state have stepped up in a big way when it comes to planting trees.

At the end of 2023, more than 32 million trees had been planted and tallied as part of Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge. The program started in 2021 when Governor Tony Evers committed the state to planting 75 million trees and conserving 125,000 acres of forestland by 2030. Continue reading “Wisconsin Expands Trillion Trees Pledge” →

USDA Seeks Donated Ash Trees To Battle Emerald Ash Borer

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By Caleb Burden, Acting Field Lead Technician, USDA APHIS PPQ;
Caleb.Burden@usda.gov or 734-732-0025

Photo of a green ash tree with a small piece of bark cut back shows emerald ash borer larvae feeding on the tree.

A green ash tree with a small piece of bark cut back shows emerald ash borer larvae feeding on the tree. / Photo Credit: USDA APHIS PPS

In the fight against emerald ash borer (EAB), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) again asks Wisconsin landowners to donate live, EAB-infested ash trees for use in a biological control program.

The emerald ash borer is an invasive insect from Asia first detected in the United States in 2002. Following its discovery, EAB has caused the death and decline of tens of millions of ash trees.

Continue reading “USDA Seeks Donated Ash Trees To Battle Emerald Ash Borer” →

Michigan State University Launches Course On Urban Forests And Climate Change

Posted on by janness

 

hand holding earth and tree

The Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program has launched a new intensive course, Urban Forests and Climate Change. This online professional training will be offered multiple times throughout the year. Course content was co-developed with MSU faculty and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, a collaborative, multi-institutional partnership led by the USDA Forest Service.  Continue reading “Michigan State University Launches Course On Urban Forests And Climate Change” →