West Central WI Forest Health

Katie Hill Grows Into West Central FH Technician Role

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Katie Hill, head and shoulders

Katie Hill has been named the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Forest Health technician for West Central Wisconsin. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

As a youngster, Katie Hill found her future outdoors.

Now, as she steps in as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s Forest Health technician for West Central Wisconsin, she continues working to turn those early goals into reality.

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Watch For Spongy Moth Caterpillars And Tree Damage This Summer

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By Bill McNee, Forest Health Specialist, Oshkosh
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov

Close-up of caterpillar feeding on a leaf.

A spongy moth caterpillar feeds on a leaf. / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Property owners are encouraged to monitor their trees for spongy moth larvae and damage this summer to determine whether control measures are needed.

Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species.

However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.

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DNR Urges Spring Spongy Moth Treatment Plans

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Carefully scraping spongy moth egg masses off trees and into a cup of soapy water will help to hold down caterpillar damage in 2025.

Carefully scraping spongy moth egg masses off trees and into a cup of soapy water will help to hold down caterpillar damage in 2025. / Photo Credit: Bill McNee, Wisconsin DNR

By Bill McNee, DNR Forest Health Specialist
Bill.McNee@wisconsin.gov or 920-360-0942

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages property owners to examine their trees for spongy moth egg masses and determine whether control measures are needed this spring.

Property owners who have oak, birch, crabapple, aspen, willow and linden (basswood) trees should be particularly watchful because the caterpillars of this invasive insect prefer these species. However, they will feed on many other kinds of trees and shrubs.

Continue reading “DNR Urges Spring Spongy Moth Treatment Plans” →

DNR Recruiting For Two Forest Health Specialists

Posted on by akabelowsky
A Wisconsin map showing zones of coverage for each of the six DNR Forest Health Specialists

A map showing the zones of coverage for each of the six DNR Forest Health Specialists. / Graphic Credit: Wisconsin DNR

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

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has opened the search for candidates to fill two Forest Health Specialist openings, one in the West Central zone and one in the South Central zone.

The posting can be seen on the WiscJobs website. To be considered, candidates have until the posted deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, to submit a resume and letter of qualifications.

Continue reading “DNR Recruiting For Two Forest Health Specialists” →