Here in Wisconsin we are blessed with a vast array of beautiful forests. Be it the deciduous forests to the south or the awe-inducing boreal forests to the north, Wisconsin’s forests are truly a hidden gem of the American outdoors. Our forests also provide an immense service in their carbon sequestration, flood tempering, and harboring of a diversity of wildlife. While the benefits of our natural forests are widely known, what’s often overlooked are the benefits of our urban forests: the trees that line the streets and parks of urban areas where 81% of Wisconsinites live. Thankfully, the Wisconsin government has recognized the importance of urban forestry in improving the quality of life in urbanized areas, with recent grants having widespread effects across the state.

What Is Urban Forestry?

 Urban forestry is the study and management of our urban forests, be it city parks or simply the trees lining the street. It’s an often overlooked discipline that impacts the health of our cities, and  encourages a more environmentally conscious society. Urban forests and trees have been proven to increase air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, provide aesthetic value, as well as reduce the heat island effect in cities. Additionally, the U.S Forest Service has declared that urban trees reduce residential energy usage by 7.2% – the equivalent of 7.8 billion dollars in energy usage annually.

Image Source: Urban Design Lab https://urbandesignlab.in/comprehensive-guide-to-urban-forest-management/

Inflation Reduction Act Grants & Urban Forestry

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022 by the Biden administration, is a wide-sweeping bill with environmental goals to tackle pollution, control climate change, and deliver cleaner air while ensuring environmental justice and equity. As a part of the IRA, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has received funding to award grants to nonprofits, tribes, and local governments to promote various aspects of urban forestry. With 4 million dollars in grants awarded, IRA funding is currently being used for a multitude of urban forestry-related projects in the state. 

The city of Sheboygan, 1 of 13 cities to receive grant funds, was awarded $175,000 to support their mosaic of urban trees in addressing poor air quality. Sheboygan recently received an “F” grade from the American Lung Association for their air quality, with half of its residents inhaling unhealthy amounts of ground-level ozone pollution. To address this issue, the city is in the process of planting 660 trees to improve air quality. Grant funds are also being used to preserve the future of the ash tree population facing the invasive Emerald Ash Borer. Emerald Ash Borers have been rapidly decimating ash trees statewide. 

Image Source: Fox Cities Magazine                          https://foxcitiesmagazine.com/departments/worth-the-drive-sheboygan/

Further south, the city of Racine is using grant funds to increase community engagement by raising awareness for urban forestry. Their goal is to make urban forestry accessible to its residents, encouraging  them to help care for their city’s urban forests. IRA grants have also been granted to the Ho-Chunk Nation – who are planting over 800 native and culturally significant trees and shrubs to combat food insecurity and strengthen cultural resources. These cases represent a tiny fraction of the work being done in the state as a result of recent IRA grants. Organizations statewide are using funds to improve their communities with the power of nature and urban forestry.

Nature and You

Urban forestry is unique in that truly anyone can make a difference. In local communities, every tree and every shrub makes up the mosaic of the urban forest canopy. If it’s planting a tree, pushing for equitable access to nature, or volunteering for your local parks, anyone can practice urban forestry. Communities that prioritize nature access are good for community health, energy efficiency, and  our individual well-being. That’s why Nature Net is a proud supporter of the Nature Everywhere Communities Initiative, a program bringing cities together to increase equitable access to nature for children. When we think of a sustainable future, our vision must include both those vast natural landscapes and the nature just past our doorsteps.

For More

• Want to learn more about the discipline of urban forestry, check out this video touching on the importance of urban forestry for an environmentally sustainable future 

Urban Forestry Explained | One Tree Planted

Urban forestry is the act of maintaining, protecting, and in One Tree Planted’s case — planting — urban forests. All within the backdrop of a rapidly changin…

• Want to see how people around the world are utilizing urban forestry? Check out this video on how urban forestry is benefiting communities globally.

The tiny urban forests bringing nature to the heart of the city - BBC World Service

Forests the size of tennis courts are being planted in towns and cities around the world. They use a special method from Japan, called Miyawaki, which can gr…

• Are you a member of a group or non-profit interested in promoting urban forestry? The DNR is accepting applications now for innovative ideas to support urban forestry in the state. For more info check out the DNR website.

Welty Environmental Center	The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy	International Crane Foundation
Don’t let the winter temps stop you from enjoying the outdoors! Come to the Welty Environmental Center from 6-7:30 PM on December 15th for a warm campfire followed by a hike under the Frost Moon.	Get out and enjoy the Wisconsin winter with Friends of Urban Nature with Kathlean Wolf from 1:30-3 PM on December 28th! Meet up at 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd before getting out to see the winter sights of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.	Attention to all of our artists out there! Submit an 8×10 portrait of a Whooping Crane in its Texas Gulf Coast Habitat by January 31st to potentially be featured in the ICF’s new Texas Whooping Crane Outreach Trailer. All ages are welcome to submit designs!

For Families	For Educators	Upcoming Events
Want to get the most out of everything that Dane County Parks has to offer? Sign up for Lussier Heritage Center’s Parks Challenge by January 31st to gain access to exclusive events, free program passes, and a digital journal. Complete your journal by the end of the year to earn a special Parks Challenge t-shirt!	Need something to do over winter break? Make sure to take a look at all of our featured Educator Trainings, highlighted in yellow on the Nature Net Events Calendar. .	Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t enjoy nature in the winter. Take a look at the Nature Net Events Calendar for a plethora of wonderful events put on by Nature Net member organizations this winter.

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