By Alex Elias, Urban Forestry Grants Manager
Thirty communities, nonprofit groups and counties will share $465,661.99 in 2018 state grants from the Department of Natural Resources Urban Forestry Grant program to promote and sustain urban forest resources in Wisconsin.
By Jeff Roe, Urban Forestry Team Leader
As I reflect on the last year, what stands out most for me is the great people that I work with – both staff and partners!
This has been a year of change, with new structures and leadership within the agency. Nonetheless, the staff dedication and leadership support for our program, and the work we do, remain strong. We have also had some staff changes this year: we added a new coordinator to the team, Brad Johnson, to serve the West Central area of the state; Bobbi and Dan joined the team to help with grants and the urban assessment program, respectively; and later in the year, Bobbi moved on to a full-time position within another DNR program. Continue reading “Another productive year for WI Urban Forestry!”
By Dan Buckler, Urban Forest Assessment Specialist
The winter blues are not a modern phenomenon, but something that struck an existential chord in our ancestors. Luckily there were things growing in the forests which sparked hope in hearts until the sun returned, slowly but surely, at the winter solstice. Continue reading “Evergreen: A Holiday History”
Tree City and Tree Campus USA application deadlines are right around the corner, December 31! You can access information and application materials for these Arbor Day Foundation recognition programs from the DNR Urban Forestry website or Arbor Day Foundation’s website. Tree City and Tree Campus applicants are encouraged to use the online application form, though hard-copy applications are available. These national award programs recognize efforts to raise awareness of the importance of trees and integrate trees and proper tree care in Wisconsin communities, around utility lines and facilities, and on college campuses. Continue reading “Tree City and Tree Campus USA applications due”
Trust is easy to find in a job you love, since it is what our relationships are built on. In our urban forestry program, much of our work depends on having trusting relationships. Here is an example of a project to illustrate the importance of trust. Continue reading “Trust – a way of business in urban forestry”
The first of three sessions was held for Wisconsin’s Community Tree Management Institute (CTMI). Twenty-six students from across the state met in Green Lake, WI October 17-18. These municipal tree managers (who lack technical and program management in arboriculture) learned the foundations of urban forestry. Through hands-on training and exercises, students learned about: canopy and measurement tools, tree benefits, awareness and support, politics and policy, leadership, partnerships, legal issues, ordinances, budgeting, tree boards and utilities. Instructors for session I included: municipal foresters, public works directors, a UW Extension agent, utility representatives, consultants and DNR staff. The variety of instructors, their perspectives and interactive components is meant to appeal to all learning styles. Continue reading “Community Tree Management Institute was a success”
By Dwayne Sperber, owner, Wudeward Urban Forest Products and appointed member, Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council
When a company has publicly committed to corporate social responsibility, environmental conservation, or working with and through the local community, a new construction project is the time to put these philosophies into action. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.
Designs may get drawn up with the best sustainably-minded intentions — locally-sourced, low emissions, recycled, reused, energy efficient, the list goes on. But as familiar as the design and construction industries are with using environmentally-friendly materials, most of these products do not come in standard sizes, colors or volumes. And they don’t always fit seamlessly into a standard construction management process. Continue reading “Making room for sustainable sourcing”
The Urban Forestry Council held their most recent quarterly meeting on October 13 at The Oxbow Hotel in Eau Claire. This was the second time the Wisconsin Council met with their colleagues in Minnesota, board members from the Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee and MN DNR urban forestry staff. In addition, they were joined by Urban Forestry Council members from several additional states: Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan. The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council and Wisconsin DNR were pleased to welcome these urban forestry representatives from the region for the meeting. Continue reading “Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council meeting”
Imagine taking a relaxing walk in a wooded area, listening to the sounds of wind through trees, birds, and water running down a stream and seeing beautiful, vibrant shade of green. This type of an environment has shown numerous benefits, from cleaner air and water to increased health benefits like reduced stress and blood pressure. Continue reading “Healthcare facilities using green spaces to help in healing”
This month, nearly 700 communities across the state will receive a request in the mail to complete a questionnaire for an important project to determine the current management of community tree populations in Wisconsin. The study is being jointly conducted and sponsored by the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Urban & Community Forestry Program, and the USDA Forest Service. It serves to provide important information for the state program since the last community survey in 2008 and as a student project at UW – Stevens Point.
Continue reading “2017 Urban and Community Forestry Questionaire”
