Learn more about forestry and forest health issues with these upcoming events in February and March! We link to conference brochures and webpages where you can find detailed information, including registration prices and deadlines where applicable. Continue reading “Upcoming forest health events”
Technical assistance
Who can I call for help with a large public woodland?
Does your community need assistance with a substantial parcel of natural woodland (more than 10 acres) under municipal jurisdiction? If so, contact your local DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator. He or she can help you find the expertise you need by connecting you with the appropriate DNR professionals.
Don Kissinger, North Central Regional Urban Forestry Coordinator, recently provided this type of assistance on two separate occasions (described in detail below). Through his contacts at the Wisconsin Rapids DNR Field Forestry Team, Don was able to help a municipality plan for the impact of the emerald ash borer (EAB) in a large community park. Shortly afterwards, he again called upon DNR Field Forestry, this time to assist a technical college with storm damage in its school forest.
Continue reading “Who can I call for help with a large public woodland?”
Chainsaw safety training
Chainsaw safety training will be held this fall at Riveredge Nature Center near Newburg, WI.
Join Safety and Woods Worker (SAWW) trainer Luke Saunders (forester with Adaptive Restoration LLC) for a hands-on training in chainsaw use, maintenance and technique. Spend time both outside and in the classroom practicing how to operate chainsaws safely, comfortably and productively.
There will be two training levels offered on different dates. Level 1 chainsaw training will be held November 5 and level 2 will be held on November 11. Please note that you must have completed level 1 before enrolling in level 2.
Please see below for more details and to register:
Trees and the law
Looking for some general guidance when it comes to trees and the law? Check out this article titled Practical Tree Care Makes Good Neighbors from the International Society of Arboriculture’s consumer education web site, Trees Are Good.
Please consult your legal advisor for information on state and local laws and how they apply to specific situations.
Vibrant Cities Lab
Vibrant cities cultivate thriving urban forests that boost public health, safety, sustainability and economic growth. A city’s green infrastructure — trees, vegetation and water — is just as important as its roads, pipes and power lines.
Continue reading “Vibrant Cities Lab”
Resources for storm-damaged trees
Did your community experience damage from the storms that went through the state recently? You may find these resources handy. The links below could also be posted on municipal websites to direct homeowners to more information.
Credit: Joseph O’Brien, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Tree watering: a simple act, a science and an art, but bottom line – all trees need water (even in autumn)
If we use the K.I.S.S. principle, then here is your formula: if your tree needs water, then water it. If your tree doesn’t need water, then don’t. Continue reading “Tree watering: a simple act, a science and an art, but bottom line – all trees need water (even in autumn)”
How do Wisconsin professionals use outreach materials to engage residents in urban tree care?
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and UW-Madison Division of Extension (UWEX) are partnering to better understand the informational resources available to professionals who provide tree care advice and services to urban residents in Wisconsin. Using information collected from an exploratory survey in early 2019, DNR and UWEX staff plan to improve access to these resources and address additional needs by creating new resources. Next steps include identifying a place where existing and new materials can be easily accessed by all audiences.
When asked to report the most commonly discussed topics with homeowners, pests and diseases emerged as the top issue (36% of respondents) with tree planting/care/selection or tree pruning as other popular topics (20-23% of respondents respectively). While 75% of respondents say that they use verbal advice to share information with residents always or most of the time, they also identified a diverse range of topics and types of content that they would find useful when communicating with their audiences. Click this link to view the wide range of suggestions offered by survey respondents.
Training – street and park tree management
Once again, the Village of Gays Mills will be providing excellent community forestry training for surrounding partners and cooperators. Workshop attendees will learn basic information to manage and care for their trees throughout their lifespan. Use the brochure found here to register. For any questions, please contact Cindy Kohles, Gays Mills Village Forester, at (608) 872-2184.
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”