By Jay Dampier, DNR IRA Grant Coordinator
Jason.Dampier@wisconsin.gov or 920-765-1935
Arbor Day story time
This April and early May, communities across Wisconsin came together to celebrate Arbor Day. The DNR supported over 40 in-person events statewide. From Marshfield to Menasha and from New Richmond to New Glarus, staff fanned out across the state engaging communities in Arbor Day celebrations. Continue reading “Arbor Day 2025: Growing Together Across Wisconsin”
Public, Private Forestry Experts Encouraged To Apply For Membership In State Advisory Committee
Are you a forestry expert interested in working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), forest industry professionals and natural resource leaders to ensure sustainable management practices of Wisconsin’s forest resources?
The DNR and Wisconsin Council on Forestry are seeking representatives from a variety of partner interest groups to fill several current and upcoming vacancies on the Silviculture Guidance Team (SGT), which provides crucial oversight and input to ensure the responsible and effective management of Wisconsin’s forest resources. Continue reading “Lend Your Expertise To The Silviculture Guidance Team”
Going camping? It’s important to remember not to move firewood. Instead, buy it within 10 miles of where you will use it. This will help to prevent the spread of invasive pests. / Photo Credit: Istockphoto.com
By Wisconsin DNR
Camping season is about to enter full swing, and campfires are a Wisconsin summer staple.
That makes this a good time for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remind the public of the importance of protecting Wisconsin’s forests and trees by not transporting firewood long distances.
Even after a tree has died, firewood can carry pests or diseases — on its surface or inside the log — which can attack or infect other trees. To help prevent the spread of invasive insects and diseases, always get your firewood near where you will use it.
By Andi Sedlacek, DNR Communications Director
Andrea.Sedlacek@wisconsin.gov or 608-228-3032
*To read more articles like this, check out the Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine online.
A simple idea, to celebrate planting trees, and it’s grown into a national holiday: Arbor Day.
Arbor Day’s roots began in the late 1800s in Nebraska where, according to the Arbor Day Foundation, residents of Nebraska City felt a lack of trees in their community. The secretary of the Nebraska Territory at the time, J. Sterling Morton, proposed a statewide tree-planting holiday, and on April 10, 1872, the first Arbor Day was celebrated. Continue reading “Humble Holiday Keeps On Growing”
For the last few years, our urban forestry team has been writing social media posts for Wisconsin communities to post during Arbor Week. We encourage you to use social media to celebrate the many benefits of trees and inform the public about the importance of tree care.
Feel free to use the suggested messages provided below or develop your own creative tree campaign. We encourage you to use pictures of local trees in your posts to inspire community members to get out and explore the forest outside their door. Continue reading “Celebrate Arbor Day Using Social Media (See Our Suggested Posts Below)”
Schools that connect students to nature and trees can register as a Tree Campus K-12 site. This Arbor Day Foundation program recognizes schools that inspire the next generation through experiences with nature inside and outside of the classroom. Schools need to meet four program goals to qualify. Continue reading “Tree Campus K-12”
A spongy moth caterpillar consumes a leaf. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR
By Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
La Crosse County has become the latest Wisconsin location to be added to the state and federal spongy moth quarantine, joining most eastern and central Wisconsin counties already considered to be infested by the invasive insect.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced the change on April 1, based on trapping data collected last year.
Continue reading “La Crosse County Added To Spongy Moth Quarantine”
A beautiful view of Wisconsin forestland awaits visitors to Roche a Cri State Park in Adams County. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
By Art Kabelowsky, DNR Outreach and Communications
Arthur.Kabelowsky@wisconsin.gov or 608-335-0167
“Acts of creation are ordinarily reserved for gods and poets. To plant a pine, one need only own a shovel.”
Those were the words of Wisconsin’s most prominent conservation expert, Aldo Leopold, who authored the famous book, “A Sand County Almanac” among his many achievements.
This month, everyone in Wisconsin will have the chance to follow Leopold’s advice – even if in a small way, because many small efforts can add up to a prominent positive impact on Wisconsin’s trees and forests.
Continue reading “April Offers Opportunities For Tree Lovers”
By Jenn Janness, DNR Urban Forestry Outreach Specialist
Jennipher.Janness@wisconsin.gov or 715-815-7173
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council presents annual awards for furthering urban forestry in the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council recently announced its annual awards honoring those dedicated to protecting, preserving and increasing the number of trees that line city streets, fill community parks and beautify neighborhoods throughout the state.
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council advises the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on managing urban and community forest resources.
“Each year, these awards remind me of how special the people are in our industry and the numerous accomplishments they fulfill,” said Lee Fredericks, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council Award Committee Chair. “Whether they are taking on projects to expand their leadership, involving the next generation of arborists or advancing species diversity in the urban forest canopy, the state as a whole truly benefits.”
This year’s recipients were announced at the 2025 Wisconsin Arborist Association/DNR Urban Forestry Conference in Green Bay. The categories and winners are: Continue reading “Wisconsin Tree Leaders Recognized For Exceptional Community Service”
Pruning, cutting, or wounding oaks during April through July leaves them vulnerable to oak wilt. / Photo Credit: Paul Cigan, Wisconsin DNR
By Paul Cigan, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Paul.Cigan@wisconsin.gov or 715-416-4920
With warmer spring weather fast approaching, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends protecting oaks from the often-fatal disease, oak wilt, by refraining from pruning, cutting or injuring oak trees from April through July.
Oak wilt is a serious disease that kills trees in the red oak group (including pin oak, northern red oak and black oak) and weakens those in the white oak group (bur oak, swamp white oak, white oak and English oak).
Continue reading “Spring Brings Opportunities To Protect Oak Trees”
