Partners

Invasive plant management on roadsides workshops

Invasive plants have been shown to impact Wisconsin’s economy, environment and human health. Roadsides are a key area where these unwanted plants establish and spread. These right of way habitats are challenging to work in but focused efforts can be successful in preventing spread and reduce invasive plant populations.

To help educate and jumpstart management, The University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension along with 4-Control are conducting roadside invasive plant workshops throughout the state. We invite you to attend one of these five regional workshops. While this training is available to anyone interested, the focus will be on training staff of municipalities that manage vegetation on roadsides. Continue reading “Invasive plant management on roadsides workshops”

Inaugural ‘Good Health Grows on Trees’ conference a success!

Whether it be a hike through the woods, time spent with your family at a local park or sitting beneath the shade of that stately red oak in your backyard, we, as urban forestry professionals and enthusiasts, experience and recognize the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of spending time outdoors in nature.

For decades, scientists have been researching and documenting the health benefits that trees and nature provide, and as urban populations continue to rise, the impact of nearby nature on human health has generated a lot of interest in our world of urban and community forestry.

To further that conversation in Wisconsin, the first ever ‘Good Health Grows on Trees: The Influence of Nearby Nature on Public Health’ conference was hosted by the DNR Urban Forestry program at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville on May 30th.  Continue reading “Inaugural ‘Good Health Grows on Trees’ conference a success!”

Soliciting teachers and students for school tree inventories

There is a small sign in the Milwaukee DNR office that instructs the reader to “Learn of a pine tree from a pine tree.” In other words, to better understand something, one has to see it, feel it, smell it, rather than just reading about it. In urban forestry, this manifests itself in tree inventories, or surveys of individual trees in a given area. Municipalities have recognized the importance of these tree inventories for years, and now, led by a few pioneering teachers, so have some schools. Continue reading “Soliciting teachers and students for school tree inventories”

Spring 2019 chainsaw safety training

Routinely, DNR North Central Urban Forestry Coordinator Don Kissinger puts a call out to his networking group regarding chainsaw safety training. This past winter he hit the jackpot and received a great response and a first ever request for an Advanced Training. Thus, two courses occurred this past April (Basic & Advanced). Continue reading “Spring 2019 chainsaw safety training”

The continuous transformation of Havenwoods State Forest

On the north side of Milwaukee is a park with a name more evocative of a medieval forest than one of the most densely populated parts of modern Wisconsin. Yet its history is as rich, its canopy as green and its deer as plentiful as any royal hunting ground. Havenwoods State Forest is Wisconsin’s only urban state forest and thus plays a critical role in connecting urban populations to nature. Continue reading “The continuous transformation of Havenwoods State Forest”

Northwestern county forests trap for EAB

Paul Cigan, forest health specialist, Hayward, Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov, 715-416-4920

Several forestry partners will be trapping EAB in the northern region in 2018 using baited prism traps similar to this one.

EAB purple prism trap in ash tree.

A number of county forestry partners in northwest Wisconsin are trapping for emerald ash borer (EAB) on their properties this year with technical assistance from the DNR forest health team. Potential captures of EAB may give officials a better understanding of the invasive beetle’s distribution in the region that can support forest management planning and public awareness. Partners conducting trapping include Bayfield, Douglas, Rusk, Sawyer counties and the Barron County Conservation District. Landowners and property managers are encouraged to report signs and symptoms of EAB activity to their regional forest health specialist.

Learn more about emerald ash borer and signs/symptoms of infestation at the DNR emerald ash borer page.

New, customizable resource shows the value of trees

Money doesn’t grow on trees, or does it?

People know the many benefits that trees can provide – clean our air, beautify our communities, reduce stormwater runoff, and decrease noise pollution – but did you know trees also save you money?  With technology from i-Tree you can calculate how much your trees are saving you.  Now, with a new resource from the USDA Forest Service Urban Natural Resources Institute (UNRI), you can let others know exactly how much your trees are saving you. Continue reading “New, customizable resource shows the value of trees”

Make trees mean more

Spring is upon us and that means the tree planting season is too. Trees are vital to our environments; they provide individuals and communities with clean air, clean water, reduced cooling costs, safer neighborhoods, and a place to play and gather. But trees provide much more than that, they can help show how much we care for others, a beautiful living reminder of the legacy of a person. Arbor Day is this month, and it is the perfect time to plant a tree and illustrate our feelings for others. Continue reading “Make trees mean more”

WAA/DNR Conference has another record year!

The 2019 WAA/DNR Annual Conference was held in Green Bay on February 17-19. This year surpassed last year’s record attendance and showcased a variety of wonderful presenters from across the country. Those in attendance were from the private industry, business owners, municipal staff, and state employees. The conference had five different tracks: general sessions, climbers corner, introductory, business and utility. Across these tracks many topics were covered, from insects and pests to climbing and ensuring morale amongst staff. This three-day conference also hosted many different exhibitors from the industry to provide up-to-date technology, equipment and practices to improve their work. Continue reading “WAA/DNR Conference has another record year!”

August Hoppe inaugurated to the TCIA Board of Directors

“Urban forestry and tree care is a great industry to be involved with and something that we all should be proud of. Industry professionals leave a lasting legacy in caring for the trees in our community each and every day, and it’s important that we spread the word and help future generations understand the importance of nature and trees.” Continue reading “August Hoppe inaugurated to the TCIA Board of Directors”