The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council is pleased to announce the addition of four new members to the group. We are especially pleased to have increased our geographic and professional diversity and look forward to working with them on issues related to Wisconsin’s urban and community forests. Continue reading “Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council announces new members”
Partners
WAA Summer Conference
Join the WAA (Wisconsin Arborist Association) for their Summer Conference and Picnic at the Lussier Family Heritage Center in Madison on Tuesday, August 15th. The Program Committee has put together another excellent lineup for this event. They are offering Two Tracks of Education, one indoors and one outdoors, including information for climbers, plant selection, and insect and disease information. There will be something for everyone. Continue reading “WAA Summer Conference”
Urban Wood Network launches website
The Urban Wood Network, a multi-state collaborative project that is promoting full-circle urban forest management, recently announced its new website. Many felled urban trees are viewed as waste. The Urban Wood Network aims to show that every part of the tree, from seed to sawdust, can be put to its best use, if properly managed. Continue reading “Urban Wood Network launches website”
NAASF UCF conference review
DNR Urban Forestry staff, led by Urban Forestry Coordinator Olivia Witthun, successfully planned and executed a 4-day annual meeting for the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters – Urban & Community Forestry Committee (NAASF UCF) in Madison in May. Continue reading “NAASF UCF conference review”
Learn about Green Tier
Green Tier, a voluntary program administered by the DNR, works with entities conducting their business beyond compliance requirements and looking for ways to improve. Currently there are 82 participants with 248 facilities in the program along with six Green Tier Charters, including the Legacy Communities [exit DNR] and Wisconsin Urban Wood charters. Continue reading “Learn about Green Tier”
Consider viewing the WAA job board
The Wisconsin Arborist Association recently created a job board, hosted on their website, to connect businesses and potential employees. These posts showcase available arboriculture positions in Wisconsin listed by region, company name, and are also grouped alphabetically. This webpage provides the opportunity for individuals to search for jobs as well as giving companies a venue for posting openings in their businesses. Continue reading “Consider viewing the WAA job board”
UW-Stevens Point students gain real world skills while helping communities
In an attempt to find an avenue to get small communities in the fold of beginning, or better managing their community tree resources DNR Regional Urban Forestry (UF) Coordinator, Don Kissinger, resurrected memories of his college days when he and his classmates were given a computer simulation to react and manage a fictitious community forestry program. Through this attempt the collaboration with UW- Stevens Point Professor Rich Hauer and his senior level Urban Forestry Lab class began.
Continue reading “UW-Stevens Point students gain real world skills while helping communities”
Introducing the Wisconsin Arborist Apprenticeship program
The State of Wisconsin is leading the way in the green industry by providing the nation’s first Arborist Apprenticeship Program, which will include plant health care as well as tree care. Currently, there are three private tree care companies who have signed on five apprentices who are learning and developing their skills under the direct guidance of certified and skilled arborists. More employers are needed to support the program and be willing to hire apprentices. Apprenticeship is a proven method in numerous industries and the benefits greatly outweigh the commitment incurred by employees of all sizes. It provides a structured training program for developing safe, skilled and productive employees and workforce. This program brings additional benefits: providing a career pathway for individuals to join, growing individuals within the industry, getting the arborist profession recognized as a skilled trade with the U.S. Department of Labor, and helping our private businesses and municipalities find and retain qualified employees. Continue reading “Introducing the Wisconsin Arborist Apprenticeship program”
Wisconsin Urban Wood signs Green Tier Charter
Twink Jan-McMahon and JD Smith signing the charter.
On a Friday in late April Wisconsin Urban Wood celebrated signing a Green Tier Charter. WUW is a network of independent business and nonprofit organizations that promotes the utilization of urban wood. The WUW Charter will provide increased value to Wisconsin by augmenting their current work and increasing collaboration. View the full press release.
New Tree City USA designees
Congratulations to Wisconsin’s newest Tree City USA designees – Gays Mills, Milton, Mukwonago, and Stratford. The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and administered in Wisconsin by the DNR, provides communities with a tangible goal and national recognition for their community forestry efforts.