Partners

McNee To Speak At Green Bay Conference

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Photo showing a few periodical cicadas trying to hitch a ride on the T-shirt of Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health specialist for northeast Wisconsin, in 2024 at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva.

A few periodical cicadas try to hitch a ride on the T-shirt of Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources forest health specialist for northeast Wisconsin, at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva in 2024. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

Bill McNee, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) forest health specialist for the Southeast region, will give a public presentation on Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Green Bay Winter Landowner Conference.

Continue reading “McNee To Speak At Green Bay Conference” →

Take In Wisconsin’s Beautiful Bounty Of Fall Colors

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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

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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

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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.

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CISMA Events For August, September

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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” →

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In All 72 Counties

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

Closeup photo of an adult emerald ash borer. The pest has been detected in Burnett County, making it the 72nd and final county in Wisconsin that have confirmed presence of the invasive insect.

The emerald ash borer has been detected in Burnett County, making it the 72nd and final county in Wisconsin that have confirmed presence of the invasive insect. / Photo Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR

Sixteen years after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) first detected emerald ash borer (EAB) in Wisconsin, the invasive beetle has been found in the last county without a previous detection.

Burnett County, in northwest Wisconsin, is the 72nd and final county to have a detection of the tree-killing pest.

Continue reading “Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed In All 72 Counties” →

UW Madison Extension Urban Forestry Workshop: Bare Root Trees And Gravel Beds

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Join us for a two-part workshop on the value and uses of bare root trees and how to use gravel beds to hold and maintain bare root stock before it is planted. Part one will be delivered via Zoom on Friday, Sept. 20. Part two will be an in-person field day visit to an operating gravel bed. You will select one of the six locations around the state during registration. ISA CEUs will be available for both parts.

The cost of the workshop is $30, and the registration deadline is Sept. 12. Continue reading “UW Madison Extension Urban Forestry Workshop: Bare Root Trees And Gravel Beds” →

DNR Supports School-Based Urban Forest Canopy In Green Bay

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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” →

Five Years Later, Effects Of Derecho Remain

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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” →