The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider
An electronic newsletter of breaking news and valuable information for the Urban Forest community in Wisconsin and beyond.
2008 Arbor Day poster winner
Nathan Schwartz, Homeschooler
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April 21, 2008
This issue's contents:
In the News
- Wisconsin and the World Celebrates Earth Day
- Take Action to Save Urban Forestry Programs
- Early Spring is Garlic Mustard Control Season
- Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradicated from Illinois
- Urban Forestry and Public Works
- Escalating Fire Suppression Costs
- World's Oldest Living Tree
Specifically Wisconsin
Emerald Ash Borer
- WI Uses Purple Traps in Search for EAB
- Indiana Approves Use of Tree-äge™&
- Michigan Approves EAB Pesticide - Traverse City Record-Eagle
Tools For Your Job
- UW-Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic Update
- Northeast Wisconsin Forest Pest Update - 4/20/08
- Neighborhood Excellence Deadline: June 27, 2008
- LEAFlet - Spring, 2008
- Grants for Greenways
Conferences & Seminars
- Urban Forestry Planning in Wisconsin - Webinar April 28, 2008
- Black Ash Basketry Conference
- More Conferences & Seminars
Wisconsin and the World Celebrates Earth Day
From a climate change workshop in Port Harcourt, Nigeria to a recycling beanbag toss for children visiting the Governor’s executive residence in Wisconsin, Earth Day observations cover the globe and encompass a range of activities and events. Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 but many communities are planning daily events during Earth Week, April 19-27.
Take Action to Save Urban Forestry Programs
The Alliance for Community Trees is joining together with 15 national organizations in opposing the drastic cuts proposed for the Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF) in the President's FY 2009 federal budget. The proposed 82% cut would leave the national U&CF program with only $5 million in funds for FY 2009 to deliver assistance to all 50 states and territories.
Early Spring is Garlic Mustard Control Season
“Before the spring wildflowers emerge is the ideal time to search out and contain this highly invasive plant. In most woodlots it will be one of the only green plants on the forest floor this early, so it is easy to spot,” says Kelly Kearns, plant conservationist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradicated from Illinois
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and the City of Chicago announce the official eradication of the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) from Illinois. This makes Illinois the first state fighting active ALB infestations to declare victory over the invasive insect.
Urban Forestry and Public Works
The American Public Works Association received a grant from the U.S. Forest Service to develop a series of best management practices on effective urban forestry management. Teaming up with the Society of Municipal Arborists and Davey Resource Group, American Public Works Association developed this project to strengthen communications between urban foresters and public works professionals by creating a series of reports and conducting an education campaign on urban forestry management.
Public Works and Urban Forestry [exit DNR]
Escalating Fire Suppression Costs
Interior Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Norm Dicks is co-sponsoring a bill that would address the need for better budgeting for fire suppression costs by the federal government. Alliance for Community Trees supports this and a related bill because they would address the central financial dilemma that puts all other programs at risk in the Forest Service. Until fire suppression budgeting is fixed, stewardship programs like Urban and Community Forestry will be under severe budget pressure.
World's Oldest Living Tree
The world's oldest recorded tree is a 9,550 year old spruce in the Dalarna province of Sweden. The spruce tree has shown to be a tenacious survivor that has endured by growing between erect trees and smaller bushes in pace with the dramatic climate changes over time.
World's Oldest Living Tree [exit DNR]
Arbor Day - from Small Seeds Grow Big Dreams
Every April, children and adults across Wisconsin celebrate two important dates for the environment: Arbor Day, which is always the last Friday in April (this year April 25) and Earth Day celebrated April 22.
This year marks the 136th anniversary of Arbor Day and the 38th anniversary of Earth Day.
Gypsy Moth Spray Blocks
For information on 2008 gypsy moth programs, click on the link below. A map will come up showing which counties have a proposed Gypsy Moth Spray Block(s) in them for this spring. The map is broken down by the DATCP Slow-The-Spread (STS) program and by the DNR Suppression Program. Click on the county and the proposed spray block(s) for that county will come up.
WI Uses Purple Traps in Search for EAB
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will continue looking for signs of the emerald ash borer this spring and summer by deploying approximately 3,600 purple, sticky traps in ash trees across the state. This ‘purple trap survey’ for emerald ash borer (EAB) is part of a nationwide effort paid for by the US Department of Agriculture. Portions of 46 states will be included in the survey, using approximately 60,000 traps.
Indiana Approves Use of Tree- äge™
The Indiana State Chemist on March 28 approved the use of a new anti-emerald ash borer (EAB) treatment called Tree- äge™, an insecticide developed by Swiss agrochemical company Syngenta and Massachusetts firm Arborjet.
Indiana Approves Tree-äge™ [exit DNR]
Michigan Approves EAB Pesticide - Traverse City Record-Eagle
Michigan approved the use of emamectin benzoate this month and officials expect arborists and other certified pesticide applicators to begin using what's expected to be a costly method to save treasured ash trees. It's also designed as a preventative measure, officials said.
Michigan Approves EAB Pesticides [exit DNR]
UW-Extension Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic Update
UW-Extension/Madison Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic (PDDC) receives many plant samples from around the state. The following diseases/disorders have been identified at the PDDC since January 1, 2008:
Northeast Wisconsin Forest Pest Update - 4/20/08
Topic covered this month by Linda Williams:
- Insects:
Emerald Ash Borer
EAB and Insecticides
EAB Contact Info
Gypsy Moth
Mourning Cloak Butterflies
Ticks
- Diseases:
Oak Wilt Restrictions
NER Forest Pest Update [PDF, 123KB]
Neighborhood Excellence Deadline: June 27, 2008
The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, Bank of America's signature philanthropic program, recognizes, nurtures, and rewards nonprofit organizations and individuals working to improve their communities. The focus is on areas such as education, community development, arts and culture, and health and human services. Application deadline: June 27, 2008.
Neighborhood Excellence Initiative [exit DNR]
LEAFlet - Spring, 2008
The Spring edition of LEAFlet, the quarterly publication of LEAF, the Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program is available. LEAF is your source for the latest in forestry education and resources. LEAF connects formal and non-formal educators in Wisconsin with quality forestry education materials.
Grants for Greenways
The Conservation Fund is accepting applications for Kodak American Greenways Awards Program. A partnership project of the Eastman Kodak Company, the Conservation Fund, and the National Geographic Society, the fund provides small grants to stimulate the planning and design of greenways in communities throughout America.
Urban Forestry Planning in Wisconsin - Webinar April 28, 2008
NCDC Imaging & Mapping will host a free webinar presentation on Tuesday April 28 from 11-12noon Central time, titled “Planning Interdisciplinary U&CF Projects in WI". Why YOU should attend …
- Consider joining towns and cities in WI already planning to map, model & improve urban forest management in 2009.
- Learn about tools that apply to you – urban tree canopy (UTC) mapping & goal setting to support “20 Million by 2020”, EAB host inventory (ash) mapping, cost/benefit (C/B) analysis and internet-based fundraising & education tools.
- Hear how these tools will help your community improve programs in water quality, storm water management, water conservation, air & water quality, green space planning, economic development and quality of life.
- NOW is the time to start planning regional projects for grant opportunities. Here is your opportunity to collaborate and save $$$.
- Who Should Attend: city/urban foresters, city & utility department managers in water resources, planning, environmental quality, parks/open space, economic development and GIS/IT as well as environmental associations and other stakeholders.
Black Ash Basketry Conference
Science and art will come together at a conference designed to provide the latest information on the emerald ash borer (EAB) and the steps that Native American black ash basket weavers are taking to preserve ash trees. The conference will take place May 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Plainwell Comfort Inn & Conference Center, 622 Allegan St., Plainwell, Michigan.
Black Ash Basketry Conference [exit DNR]
More Conferences & Seminars
For more conferences and seminars check out WDNR's Urban Forest website.
About the Insider
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider is intended as a quick networking tool for all people actively working in the area of urban and community forestry, especially in the state of Wisconsin.
Items that cannot wait for our quarterly print newsletter, Wisconsin Urban & Community Forests, will appear here.
The Insider is produced biweekly by the Urban and Community Forestry program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin. Past issues will be archived on the UF pages on the WDNR web site.
We are happy to accept your suggestions and contributions. Send them to the editor, at Laura.Wyatt@Wisconsin.gov. Or call her: 608/267-0568.
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