Forestry

Tree Planting for Climate Change

Tree Planting for Climate Change

A flyer that says 'She can't protect them from global warming... You can help. Plant a tree.'
Download or link to our flyer!

Project overview

The Wisconsin DNR has teamed up with Polar Bears International, a non-profit organization, for a 10-year project to encourage Wisconsinites to plant and care for trees on their land and in their communities. Marketing, education, funds for reforestation on private lands and grants to urban communities are components of the project.

Though it might not seem obvious at first, planting trees in Wisconsin helps conserve polar bear habitat in the arctic. Trees act as "carbon sinks" and absorb carbon out of the air and convert it into plant material. Trees sequester this carbon in roots, trunks, stems and leaves while they grow, and in wood products after they are harvested. That means planting trees, whether in a rural or an urban setting, helps reduce carbon in the atmosphere. Less carbon in the atmosphere means better conditions to retain Arctic ice longer and to improve polar bear habitat and survival.

Read more information about the "Tree Planting for Climate Change" program on page 3 of Polar Bears International's Summer 2009 newsletter [PDF, 2MB].

Get Involved - Plant Trees!

Start today to reduce your carbon footprint. By planting trees you can help slow the effects of climate change -- and conserve polar bear habitat. Every tree planted makes a difference!  

Approximately 4-7 pounds of carbon are sequestered annually during the first 50 years for each deciduous tree planted. Each year, one acre of trees absorbs enough carbon to equal what a car driven 8,700 miles produces. 

Large-scale tree-planting projects (generally rural plantings of 1,000 or more seedlings)

See this page for information on how to plan and conduct a large-scale re-forestation effort. One acre of conifers planted in the Lake States sequesters a cumulative total of 157,806 pounds of carbon by age 80; hardwoods will sequester 131,799 - 138,852 pounds of carbon depending on species. 

Small-scale tree-planting projects (generally a few urban landscape trees)

See this page [exit DNR] for more information about how to select and plant trees around your home or in your neighborhood.

Planting a 1-inch diameter sugar maple, Wisconsin’s state tree, at a single family dwelling or business will reduce atmospheric carbon by 17 pounds annually. Added benefits of urban tree planting include increased property values, reduced storm water run-off, better air quality, and energy conservation for both heating and cooling.

Tree Planting for Schools and Youth

Look for ways to motivate kids to take action and plant trees as a classroom or community project.

Climate Change Lesson Plans and Information

If you're interested in learning more about climate change, or if you want to bring climate change concepts and activities into your classroom, check out the links below.

Carbon Calculators

Carbon sequestration is the process by which atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed by trees through photosynthesis and stored as carbon in biomass (branches, foliage, roots) and soils.

Polar Bear Information

Our partner, Polar Bears International [exit DNR], is committed to polar bears and arctic habitat conservation through support for scientific research and educational outreach programs. Tree planting in Wisconsin helps advance this mission.

Pat Murphy and sleeping polar bear
Tree Planting for Climate Change project coordinator Pat Murphy visits the Arctic during polar bear migration.

 


Last Revised: Tuesday November 10 2009