Taking action

Correction On Plans For Discarding Holiday Decorations

Posted on by akabelowsky
A pile of discarded Christmas trees in a drop-off lot.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

An article in the January edition of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Health News contained some incorrect information on the disposal of wreaths, trees, boughs and other holiday decorations.

The article focused on disposing holiday plant matter in ways that avoided the spread of invasive insects, seeds and spores that can spread to harm trees, plants and habitats.

Continue reading “Correction On Plans For Discarding Holiday Decorations” →

WMA-PFGP Grant Application Deadline Extended

Posted on by akabelowsky
Volunteers working to remove invasive plants from a riverside forested area.

Volunteers at a garlic mustard-pulling event on the Montreal River in Iron County, part of a control project planned by a previous WMA-PFGP recipient. / Photo Credit: Ramona Shackleford, Northwoods Cooperative Weed Management Area

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

The deadline has been extended for eligible Weed Management Groups (WMGs) to apply for grants from the Weed Management Area-Private Forest Grant Program (WMA-PFGP).

The deadline has been pushed back to April 13, giving WMG administrators almost two additional weeks to apply for financial help as they plan to address invasive forest plants in 2026.

The WMA-PFGP helps eligible groups both by dealing directly with the invasives and by providing education, information and outreach to others. The grants are meant as reimbursements that cover up to 75 percent of eligible costs, with a 25 percent match required.

 

Continue reading “WMA-PFGP Grant Application Deadline Extended” →

When Is The Best Time To Prune Trees?

Posted on by janness

By Elton Rogers, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Elton.Rogers@wisconsin.gov or 414-294-8675

To best answer the titular question, I like to start by flipping the question on its head: When is the worst time to prune trees?

To answer this reworded question, we first need to acknowledge that “pruning is wounding.” Anytime you cut off a living portion of a tree, you are doing two main things:

  • Removing photosynthetic material.
  • Creating a potential entry point for decay.

Continue reading “When Is The Best Time To Prune Trees?” →

Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up

Posted on by akabelowsky
A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility.

A stack of discarded Christmas trees awaits processing at a drop-off facility. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

By Wisconsin DNR

Invasive plants and insects don’t mind playing the long game. After all, they’re just trying to survive and thrive, like the rest of us.

They’ll hang out as part of your holiday decorations throughout the season, just on the chance humans might dispose of them improperly, giving them an opportunity to find a new home in your yard or neighborhood.

Continue reading “Be Mindful Of Invasives During Holiday Clean-Up” →

2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced

Posted on by janness

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced Urban Forestry Grant Program recipients for the 2026 grant year. The program helps fund projects consistent with state and national goals for increasing the urban forest canopy.

The Urban Forestry Grant Program is distributing almost $550,000 in grant funds. A dollar-for-dollar match puts the total estimated cost of these projects over $1.2 million. In total, 38 applications were selected to receive funding, with awards ranging from $2,128 to $25,000. Continue reading “2026 Urban Forestry Grants Announced” →

Community Spotlight: Outreach Examples From Western Wisconsin

Posted on by janness

By Abby Krause, DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator
Abigail.Krause@wisconsin.gov or 608-556-5690

Trees are good. For those who hold trees in high esteem, this simple statement feels as much a universal truth as the sky being blue or the sun rising in the east. It can feel unfathomable that anyone might hold a contrasting opinion.

Luckily, if you are of the trees are good persuasion, there’s plenty of research out there to support your stance. Oxygen production, air pollutant removal, stormwater reduction and filtration, lower energy bills, increased property values, food sources, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and calming aesthetics are just a few oft-touted benefits provided by trees. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Outreach Examples From Western Wisconsin” →

DNR Announces Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients

Posted on by janness

By Nicolle Spafford, DNR Urban Forestry Grant Manager
Nicolle.Spafford@wisconsin.gov or 715-896-7099

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced the recipients of the Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm Grants to assist with damage sustained during severe storms that took place Aug. 9, 2025. Catastrophic storm grants range from $4,000 to $50,000 and do not require a dollar-for-dollar match. Grant funding was distributed among the following three communities: Continue reading “DNR Announces Catastrophic Storm Grant Recipients” →

Governor Tony Evers Digs Into Planting Trees With Volunteers In Oshkosh

Posted on by janness

By Travis Derks, City of Oshkosh Landscape Operations Manager
TDerks@oshkoshwi.gov or 920-236-5080.

Photo Credit: City of Oshkosh

When presented with an offer in October of donated trees to be planted by volunteers with just over a month to plan, the City of Oshkosh didn’t hesitate to take on the challenge. Cummins Inc. (in collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation and Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers) was looking to plant around 40 trees with 30 volunteers somewhere in Oshkosh by the end of this year. Continue reading “Governor Tony Evers Digs Into Planting Trees With Volunteers In Oshkosh” →

Community Spotlight: Rhinelander — How One Small Community Is Making Urban Forestry A Priority

Posted on by janness

By Tom Jerow, Rhinelander City Forester

View of the same street before and after urban forestry efforts.

The City of Rhinelander, like many communities with populations under 10,000, has struggled to maintain a vibrant urban forestry program. Funding and staffing are its main challenges. The city also faces a variety of urban forestry issues, including pests and diseases, species diversity, community engagement, catastrophic ice storms and aging sewer and water infrastructure. The latter is one of the most significant challenges. Continue reading “Community Spotlight: Rhinelander — How One Small Community Is Making Urban Forestry A Priority” →