February 2025 Newsletter

Forester Training | SilviCast | Workforce Development | Public Outreach

Wisconsin Forestry Center

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

February

Feb: New SilviCast episode, Toast Me Timbers! sponsored by The Nelson Paint Company, McCoy Construction & Forestry, and Family Forest Carbon Program

Feb. 5: Prescribed Fire for Forest Management webinar: "Fuels Management" Note: Recording now available.

Feb. 19: Ecological Silviculture webinar: "Applications of Irregular Shelterwood Systems"Note: Recording available soon.

March

Mar: New SilviCast episode on Drone Spraying sponsored by The Nelson Paint Company, McCoy Construction & Forestry, and Family Forest Carbon Program

Mar. 5: Prescri bed Fi re for Forest Management webinar: "Oak Silviculture & Fire" Note: Webinar will be offered 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., CT

Mar. 19: Ecological Silviculture webinar: "The Role of Microscale Habitat Features in Ecological Forestry"

Mar. 27: Forest Management for White-Tailed Deer Workshop

April

Apr: New SilviCast episode on Buckthorn sponsored by The Nelson Paint Company, McCoy Construction & Forestry, and Family Forest Carbon Program

Apr. 2: Prescribed Fire for Forest Management webinar: "Fire and Turkeys"

Apr. 16: Ecological Silviculture webinar: "Open Forest Restoration"

Apr. 17: Forest Management for Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Habitat Workshop

First Offering of our Forest Operations Immersion Training Program Wraps Up

The Wisconsin Forestry Center (WFC) is proud to announce the completion of the first offering of the Forest Operations Immersion Training Program this fall! Over the course of six weeks, 6 participants trained at Treehaven, near Tomahawk, Wisc. to develop forestry skills in equipment operation and maintenance. Industry professionals provided training and instruction on dozer operation, hand-felling techniques, basic mechanical skills, and much more. Two participants received immediate job offers and one even received a pay raise!

This full-time training is a huge success and will be offered again, Mar. 30-May 9, 2025, at Treehaven. Participants that complete the program walk away with connections to industry professionals, a better understanding of the forest operations industry, and a greater confidence in their operations and maintenance skills.

In-state tuition and fees, lodging, and meals are covered at no cost to participants.

Enrollment is limited to a cohort of 10 participants. Participants will earn 5 college credits that can be applied toward a future forestry degree.

Apply by Feb. 28 . Preference will be given to Wisconsin residents; applicants must be U.S. residents.

This program is supported by a Workforce Innovation Grant from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development .

APPLY BY FEB. 28

FREE FORESTRY SKILLS CAMP: JUNE 15-20, 2025

APPLICATION NOW OPEN!

Forest Industry Skill Development for High School Students

Do you know a high school student that's thinking about a career in the forest industry? The Forestry Skills Camp is an immersive training experience for high school students in which you can choose one of three paths. Each path will be taught by professionals in the industry, allowing you to learn more about the careers that are available in forestry and forest products. The first two days of camp will be training in wilderness first aid, then the following three days will be spent immersed in either (1) Forest Measurement and Management, (2) Sawmill and Kiln Operation, or (3) Chainsaw Safety and Operation. This camp is designed to build real skills used in the forest industries and each path will provide 1 forestry credit in forestry at UWSP. Space is limited. Apply by Mar. 31.

In-state tuition, camp fees, lodging, and meals are covered at no cost to students. This program is supported by a Workforce Innovation Grant awarded to the Wisconsin Forestry Center from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

LEARN MORE

APPLIED ECOLOGICAL SILVICULTURE WEBINAR SERIES

The Role of Microscale Habitat Features in Ecological Forestry

March 19, 2025

Foresters and land managers are increasingly entrusted with implementing forestry practices that meet a variety of ecological objectives. Applied Ecological Silviculture is the toolbox managers can use to maintain the structure, composition, function, and dynamics of natural forest ecosystems.

Join us for insightful discussions with national experts as we expand our understanding of silviculture based on natural disturbance models and ecological principles.

This six-part webinar series will culminate with follow-up workshops to review on-the-ground examples that utilize these principles.

NEXT TOPIC: The Role of Microscale Habitat Features in Ecological Forestry with Michael Demchik, Ph.D., Professor of Silviculture at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

WHEN: Wed., Mar. 19, 2025; Noon-1 p.m. CT

WHERE: Online

COST: Free! Registration is not required.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: Webinars have been pre-approved for CEUs and CFEs. Please visit the website for more information.

LEARN MORE

This series is possible through a grant from the Wisconsin SFI® Implementation Committee. The Mission of the Wisconsin SFI® Implementation Committee (WI SIC) is to promote and enhance SFI and sustainable forestry practices within Wisconsin through grassroots collaboration with stakeholders, partners, and those who benefit from managed forests. With a focus on SFI’s core SIC’s priorities, the WI SIC ensures that forests and their many benefits will perpetuate into the future.

PRESCRIBED FIRE WEBINAR SERIES

OAK SILVICULTURE AND FIRE

A free webinar series on Prescribed Fire for Forest Management continues on Mar. 5 at 10:30 a.m. CT.

In March, join Dan Dey, Ph.D., Research Forester, USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station as he discusses the important role prescribed fire plays in oak silviculture. Michael Demchik, Ph.D., will present "Oak Forest, Woodland, Savanna and Barrens Research and Demonstration Units: Use of prescribed fire and other tools." This session will be moderated by Paul Preistley, Wildland Fuels Specialist, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.

In this series, we hear from national experts as we discuss forest management using prescribed fire. Learn some of the practical knowledge of where, when, why, and how to apply fire in forest ecosystems.

WHEN: Mar. 5 from 10:30-12 p.m. CT

WHERE: Visit our website and click join button.

COST: Free! Registration is not required.

CONTINUING EDUCATION: CEUs and CFEs have been pre-approved. Please visit the website for more information.

Learn More

SILVICAST PODCAST: TOAST ME TIMBERS!

Toast Me Timbers!

Foresters are increasingly aware of the importance of prescribed fire as a silvicultural tool in the maintenance and management of fire-adapted forest ecosystems. At the same time, concerns remain over the impact of those fires on the timber resource.

Tune in to Toast Me Timbers! for a conversation with Mike Saunders, Professor of Silviculture in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University, as we explore the effects of prescribed fire on tree wounding and timber quality in the oak-hickory forests of North America.

LISTEN NOW

This month's episode of SilviCast sponsored by:

SPONSOR SILVICAST

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

The WFC offers a variety of on-demand continuing education options, including SilviCast podcast episodes and online on-demand courses. They are pre-approved for SAF and WI-DNR Cooperating Forester credits.

SILVICAST