The Wisconsin Urban Forestry InsiderAn electronic newsletter of breaking news and valuable information for the Urban Forest community in Wisconsin and beyond. Not yet on our mailing list? September 11, 2009
This issue's contents:In the News
Specifically Wisconsin
Emerald Ash Borer
Tools For Your Job
Conferences & Seminars
Senate Climate Bill Delayed Again - ReutersSenate Democrats announced this week a new delay on climate change legislation, which could complicate U.S. participation at the United Nations global summit in Copenhagen this December where world leaders will discuss next steps on controlling greenhouse gas emissions. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said they would not be able to unveil their legislation until "later in September." Artificial Trees' to Cut Carbon - BBC NewsArtificial trees could be used in areas where carbon emissions are high. Engineers say a forest of 100,000 "artificial trees" could be deployed within 10 to 20 years to help soak up the world's carbon emissions. Artificial Trees and Carbon [Exit DNR] Chicago Urban Tree Canopy StudyUtilizing cutting-edge, remote sensing technology and proven urban forestry methodologies, RFP Mapping has demonstrated the existing and potential tree canopy for the city of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago Canopy Study [Exit DNR] USFS - A New DirectionAgriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined the new direction and vision for the U.S. forests as part of a speech on forest policy in mid-August. Vilsack outlined the increasing threats climate change poses for America's forests, including increased frequency and severity of fires, disease, and pest outbreaks. Urban Forestry Council Welcomes New MembersThe Wisconsin Urban Forestry Council, established to advise the Wisconsin State Forester and Department of Natural Resources on the best ways to preserve, protect, expand and improve Wisconsin's urban and community forest resources, welcomes five new members. New members include:
Members reappointed to an additional 3-year term include Dr. Robert Brush- UWSP Professor emeritus, Dan Traas - Ranger Services and Dr. Les Werner - UWSP Professor. Wisconsin’s New Tree-Planting Partnership Benefits Polar BearThe Wisconsin Natural Resources Board has approved a unique, 10-year “Tree Planting for Climate Change” partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Polar Bears International. New Rule to Reduce Invasive SpeciesWisconsin’s new invasive species rule, designed to contain new and existing invasive species, goes into effect Sept. 1, 2009. The new rule establishes a science-based classification and regulatory system for invasive species and addresses possession, sale, transportation and introduction of listed invasive species. EAB QuarantineThe Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s emergency rule to establish quarantines on materials that could transport emerald ash borer (EAB) from Milwaukee, Waukesha or Racine counties will go into effect on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. A Federal quarantine for those same counties is expected to be enacted soon. The rule will restrict the movement of products outside of the quarantine borders that could transport any of the life stages of EAB. Rising From Ashes: Furniture From Lost TreesAsh trees lost to emerald ash borer provide the material for this exciting and diverse collection of furniture created by the Chicago Furniture Designers Association. The special exhibit is on view at the Milwaukee Design Within Reach, 167 N. Broadway, October 2 from 2-9, October 3 from 10-6 and Oct. 4 from 12-5 (phone:414-224-5353). New EAB Infestation MapMap of current EAB finds within the United States and Canada Forest Service Issues Emergency Firewood Order - The Daily PressIn response to the spread of emerald ash borer, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (CNNF) has issued a revised emergency firewood closure order. CNNF Firewood Order [Exit DNR] Safety RecallSherrilltree shares the following message -- Attached is a VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE regarding aluminum rings, commonly available through arborist suppliers, which have broken on tree climbers! The rings are most often used in friction savers and as a saddle bridge connection point. Please take the time to read our voluntary recall notice before inspecting your gear. Please distribute this information to anyone you know in our industry that may use this product. Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm GrantsA new webpage addressing the Wisconsin Urban Forestry Catastrophic Storm grant program is now available. Wisconsin cities, towns, counties, tribal governments, and 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for funding. The department shall only provide grants for the repair, removal and replacement of trees following a catastrophic storm event for which the Governor has designated a state of emergency. Trees for Healthy Homes Award - Deadline October 1Trees for Healthy Homes is a national honor given by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). The award recognizes cities and counties for improving the environmental health and livability of affordable housing through investments in trees and community forest stewardship. The goal of the award is to recognize and promote the utilization of trees as a strategic tool to improve the health of low-income residents' home environment. ACT will recognize as many applicants as are meritorious. We appreciate the work you do to earn this special recognition and your additional efforts to maintain such high standards. Trees for Healthy Homes [Exit DNR] ISA TodayYour source of the latest information and updates from the International Society of Arboriculture. Chainsaw Safety TrainingThe Kickapoo Woods Cooperative (KWC) and Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR) are offering Chainsaw Safety Level I and Level II on October 7 and 8 at the KVR near La Farge. The KWC regularly offers level 1 chainsaw safety training twice a year, usually in October and April, and you must have taken that class to be eligible to take the more advanced level two training. Community OrchardsThe Alliance for Community Tree's webcast on Heading Towards Sustainability - Part II: Community Orchards will be September 17 from 12 noon to 1:00 PM. Think globally, eat locally. A ready supply of fruit is more than just healthy. Community orchards may be part of the solution to helping reduce our footprint in several ways. For starters, having locally grown food nearby supports the immediate economy, saves a drive to the store, and less fossil fuel is burned. Combine a community garden with homeowners in a low-income neighborhood and you have a community-building, social-network-building, crime-fighting unit on your hands. There is a need for local tree organizations not only to operate community orchards and seed such programs, but also to help residents find high quality trees and revitalize blighted municipal land. NeighborwoodsMark your calendars now, because here comes Neighborwoods! Organized by Alliance for Community Trees (ACT), Neighborwoods is a month-long series of community service programs that address both the social and environmental issues of communities by using tree planting as a way to bring people together to improve their neighborhood. There are Neighborwoods events across the country throughout the month of October, so everyone will have a chance to participate. If there isn’t an event planned for your neighborhood, ACT and their partners will help you set one up. Educator Workshop and Events for Wisconsin DNRLearn about new training opportunities and fall conferences where you can pick-up new natural resource materials for the 2009-2010 school year. More Conferences & SeminarsFor more conferences and seminars check out WDNR's Urban Forest website. About the InsiderThe 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. Not yet on our mailing list?Last Revised: Friday September 11 2009
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