Partners

Last Chance! Urban Forestry Award Nominations Due Oct. 31

Posted on by janness

We want to hear from you!

The online Urban Forestry Award application is easy to complete, so why not recognize a person or group for the work they are doing?

Some examples of past award winners have been…

  • Teachers inspiring the next generation
  • Planting events completed by nonprofit organizations partnering with businesses
  • Urban forestry-related research projects
  • Parks and Recreation departments that have implemented tree walks or other community events
  • Volunteers who have dedicated a significant amount of time to improving the canopy
  • Retiring municipal foresters who have had a substantial impact on the communities they serve

    Gov Tony Evers with past award winners. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

The Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. Awards are presented in the categories of Next Gen, Project Partnerships, Lifetime Achievement, Innovations in Urban Forestry, Leadership and Species Diversity. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Arborist Association/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Annual Conference and presented to winners in their community.

Learn more about the awards and complete the nomination form.

Tree City USA – Online Portal Open!

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By Laura Buntrock, DNR Urban Forestry Partnership & Policy Specialist
Laura.Buntrock@wisconsin.gov or 608-294-0253

The online portal for Tree City USA is now open, with applications due Dec. 31. If you’re new to TCUSA, you can learn more about the program on the Arbor Day Foundation website or from your DNR urban forestry coordinator.

There were 188 Wisconsin communities that obtained TCUSA status for the 2025 recognition year, which was awarded last spring. The highest number we achieved was 201 certified communities in 2020 and 2021. We need you to help us set a new record for 2026! Continue reading “Tree City USA – Online Portal Open!” →

Fall Workshops On Tree Resilience A Success

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

root samples

Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

DNR Urban Forestry successfully partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension’s Horticulture Team to host several fall workshops on Tree Resilience: Planting, Pruning & Care. Dr. Rich Hauer (former UW-Stevens Point professor and current Eocene Director of Urban Forestry) was the lead instructor, with Adam Alves (Dane County Parks) providing assistance. Four workshops were held around the state during the week of Sept. 21 in Dane, Waukesha, Jackson and Outagamie counties. Over 175 registrants from municipalities, private companies and other organizations attended the workshops. Continue reading “Fall Workshops On Tree Resilience A Success” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness
class observing tree roots

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 oaks, diseases, fungi, volunteer leadership in natural resources, winter tree ID, fruit trees, invasives, research project presentations and insect identification. Continue reading “Upcoming Training & Events” →

Urban Forestry Award Nominations Due Oct. 31

Posted on by janness

 

2026 Urban Forestry Council Awardees / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

The Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards to outstanding individuals, organizations, communities and tribes that further urban forestry in Wisconsin. Awards are presented in the categories of Next Gen, Project Partnerships, Lifetime Achievement, Innovations in Urban Forestry, Leadership and Species Diversity. The awards are announced each year at the annual Wisconsin Arborist Association/Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Annual Conference and presented to winners in their community.

Learn more about the awards and complete the nomination form on the DNR Urban Forestry website.

New Urban Forestry LEAF Curriculum Available

Posted on by janness

The Urban Forest Lesson Guide helps Wisconsin teachers educate students about the value of and need for our urban forests. Additionally, the Urban Forest Lesson Guide can help teachers in urban areas teach the importance of forests by using familiar urban forest surroundings to engage students and ultimately make the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Lesson Guide units more relevant.

Take a peek at the newly added Urban Forestry Career Biographies, and you may see some familiar faces.

Visit the UW Stevens Point LEAF website to access the new and improved curriculum.

Forest Health Staffers Plan Public Appearances

Posted on by akabelowsky
Workers inspect a tree's health.

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” →

Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project

Posted on by janness

By Jane Mohler

Trees in Eau Claire

Trees flank the pedestrian High Bridge Trail in Eau Claire. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

As co‑chair of the Chippewa Valley Biodiversity Partnership and a member of the Eau Claire Urban Forest Board, I joined the 2025-26 Wisconsin DNR Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) to expand my skillset and take advantage of networking opportunities. CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree/formal training in urban forestry and/or would like to hone their leadership and management skills. This program culminates in a final project utilizing the skills and knowledge gained throughout the 38 hours of instruction.

The shared goal was simple and urgent: help Eau Claire grow an urban forest that can handle a changing climate while supporting birds, pollinators and people for decades to come. We saw a quiet but powerful opportunity in the city’s Recommended Tree List. This “go‑to” list guides what gets planted along streets, in new subdivisions, around schools and in parks—and therefore, what our canopy will look like 30–50 years from now. Updating this list with climate and biodiversity in mind became the focus of my CTMI project. Continue reading “Growing A Climate‑Ready, Wildlife‑Friendly Urban Forest In Eau Claire: CTMI Project” →

Upcoming Training & Events

Posted on by janness
group learning about trees outside

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” →

Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute

Posted on by janness

By Olivia Witthun, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Olivia.Witthun@wisconsin.gov or 414-750-8744

a group of people examining tree leavesCongratulations to the latest class of Wisconsin Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI) graduates! The CTMI wrapped up its sixth cohort mid-June.

CTMI is an advanced training course designed specifically for people responsible for urban forest management who do not have a degree and/or experience in urban forestry. Conversely, they may have technical skills but lack leadership and management experience.

Over six days of intensive training, students acquired the knowledge and skills needed to manage municipal trees and green space. Their exposure to various teaching perspectives gave them a well-rounded 38-hour training experience. The retreat-like setting created by the small class size and interactive learning curriculum reinforced the focus on support-network development with other students, staff and instructors. The capstone of the institute required each student to complete an applied project that benefited their community by utilizing their new skills and knowledge. Continue reading “Students Graduate From The Community Tree Management Institute” →