October 2025 Newsletter

Forester Training | SilviCast | Workforce Development | Public Outreach

Wisconsin Forestry Center

WFC Welcomes New Grad Student

Welcome Leah Williams!

Hi everyone! My name is Leah Williams. I am a first year master's student under Dr. Steve Hubbard in the College of Natural Resources with an emphasis in Forestry at UW-Stevens Point.

I was born and raised in Kansas. I graduated from the University of Kansas in May of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. During my time at KU I participated in a computational lab under the guidance of Dr. Folashade Agusto evaluating the impacts of environmental and sociodemographic factors on the spread of Lyme Disease using geospatial techniques.

While I’m at UWSP I’ll be working with Dr. Hubbard on his project. I’ll be focusing on the impact of mill closures to communities. Outside of school and research I really enjoy listening to music, hiking, going on spider walks, going to the gym, exploring new places, and talking to my family and friends.

Forest Products Week

Oct. 19-25, 2025

Where, when, and how will you celebrate?

Businesses and organizations throughout the state have come together to bring you Forest Products Week, an opportunity to learn about sustainable forest practices and to develop an appreciation for the valuable resources that Wisconsin forests provide. Whether you’re curious, passionate, or just looking for something new, there’s something happening near you!

Wisconsin’s forests cover nearly half our state and are a vital part of our collective history, culture, and economy. Likewise, the Forest Products industry provides valuable jobs and contributes significantly to the economy. We invite you to take part in your region’s events as your schedule allows. We hope the Forest Products Week website helps you explore what’s happening, where it’s happening, and how you can join the celebration!

Urban Wood: Maximizing the Full Worth of Urban and Community Trees

Join the Live Webinar at 1 p.m. CT on Nov. 6, 2025

Along with providing beauty and environmental benefits for the more than 80% of Americans who live in urban areas, urban and community forests provide a habitat for wildlife and, arguably, even greater ecological benefits as trees reach end of life. When trees in the urban forest are removed for reasons other than harvest, their “urban wood” can be captured and incorporated back into the built environment, completing this virtuous circle.

Join us to learn how the growing urban wood industry is creating and expanding opportunities for urban and community trees to achieve their highest and best use through urban wood products.

This presentation is designed for UWSP LIFE members, nature enthusiasts, and landowners. This is a free event and registration is not required.

JOIN LIVE AT 1 P.M. ON NOV. 6

FORESTRY MANAGEMENT FOR RUFFED GROUSE AND WOODCOCK HABITAT

Register by Nov. 5th!

This workshop covers how to incorporate ruffed grouse habitat goals into the planning and execution of forest management. Experts from the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Association and UWSP's College of Natural Resources will discuss habitat considerations of ruffed grouse and how relatively minor changes in timber marking can have major impacts on grouse habitat.

WHEN: Nov. 12, 2025; 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sandhill Wildlife Area, Babcock, Wis.

COST: $75

CEUs and CFEs Available!

LEARN MORE

Science of Tree Felling High School Scholarship

LEARN MORE

APPLY BY NOV. 14

Apply By Nov. 14th!

In the Science of Tree Felling course, high schoolers join UW-Stevens Point forestry students in a 3-day, field-intensive chainsaw training from March 20-22, 2026 at Treehaven, a UWSP field campus. Students work directly with over 10 industry professionals to gain the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to safely fell, delimb and buck a tree. By the end of the weekend, students will not only walk away with new skills but will also earn 1 UWSP college credit and an industry-recognized certificate from UWSP and Husqvarna. To allow more time in the field, some asynchronous coursework will need to be completed the four weeks prior to arrival at Treehaven.

There is only room for five high school students in the course, so apply early! Applications close Friday November 14.

Each accepted student will receive a scholarship to cover the cost of meals and tuition. Students and their guardians are required to supply their own lodging for the weekend. Lodging and camping at Treehaven is not permitted.

SILVICAST PODCAST: UNEVEN BY DESIGN

Uneven by Design

The legacy of the “cutover” has left much of the Lake States—and many other regions—with a dominance of even-aged forest stands. Today, both landowners and foresters increasingly consider converting these stands to uneven-aged management to achieve a range of ecological, economic, and aesthetic goals. However, the outcomes of these efforts—even after multiple stand entries—have sometimes fallen short of expectations. Significant silvicultural challenges remain in determining the most effective approaches for even- to uneven-aged conversion. To explore these challenges, we’re joined by Dr. Ralph Nyland, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Silviculture at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

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