According to Web MD and National Geographic, yes, it did really happen! But wait, what exactly is forest bathing? Forest bathing (shrinrin-yoku) is the act of ‘bathing’ or basking in the forest using your senses. When I first read the definition of forest bathing, I thought I was a seasoned forest bather, but I was […]
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Who are those NRCS folks and what can they do for me?
I was talking recently with a landowner about some of the projects they had in mind for their property. As is the case with many of the folks I work with, they had projects that required much more time and money than they had to give. The solution to many of their restraints was a […]
The right shrubs for the right habitat for the wildlife you are looking to attract
In a previous article, we discussed some of the basics for how to choose which wildlife trees and shrubs to plant. For this article, I would like to share more specific details about several shrubs, why to choose them, and where to plant them. These native shrubs fit a fairly wide array of soil and […]
Protect your planted trees this winter
We have moved into November and a sacred holiday to Wisconsinites is approaching… deer hunting. For those of us particularly interested in trees, this is one important management tool for protecting young trees. As the snow approaches and food options become more limited, it is a good time to think about further protecting trees from […]
So, you think you know all about your chainsaw, huh?
Chainsaws are powerful tools that make the felling and processing of trees easy. We tend to forget how dangerous these tools can be if used improperly and without safety equipment. Take a moment to test your knowledge about chainsaws and their use. The answers are at the end. 1. About how many people are treated […]
Mushrooms – Not all of them are created equal
In a previous article, I discussed insects that are attacking our trees and I wanted to follow up with a discussion of the common fungi or mushrooms growing in our woods. Just like the insects, some of these are very harmful to our trees and the rest aren’t. What is different from the insects is […]
Native insects damaging our trees
If you have spent any amount of time in the woods, you have undoubtedly noticed damage to trees caused by insects. The damage could be in the leaves or the stem, under the bark or in the roots. It may seem alarming to you, but, to a tree, this is an everyday occurrence during the […]
Explore Your Woods Together
Our job as Extension Forestry Educators is to serve as interpreters of the language of forest management. Even that term itself, forest management, feels foreign to many woodland owners. Admittedly, sometimes I miss the mark, like trying to explain basal area to a group of landowners off the cuff. But most of the time, connecting […]
Engaging the Next Generation: Let’s Get Kids Outside! by Jamie Nack
Imagine my delight, when my daughters (9 and 11) complained about not being able to go outside during the polar vortex back in February. School had been cancelled due to the extreme cold and we were “stuck” at home and inside. My husband and I have made it a high priority to connect our children […]