Wisconsin's Forests in an Era of Climate Change |
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As we discussed in a previous issue of the LEAFlet, climate change—and therefore climate change education—is an issue that is forefront in our world. In the words of DNR Secretary Preston Cole, “Climate change is one of the defining issues of our time.” Learning about strategies to address the possible impacts of climate change has become essential, and one of the climate change mitigation approaches most relevant to our state involves our forests and forest management. |
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Carbon in Wisconsin’s Forests
Wisconsin’s forests hold a staggering 1.162 billion metric tons of carbon, which is the equivalent to the carbon released by the energy use of 491 million homes in a year! Annually about another 3.7 million metric tons of carbon is stored away by our forests, mostly through the process of photosynthesis. This carbon is added to that already stored in the forest soil, as well as in the branches, trunk, and roots of live trees, while a small amount is stored in dead wood and leaf litter. Different types of trees store different amounts of carbon, with maples, beech and birches leading the pack. |
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Urban Forests a Piece of the Puzzle
When we think about Wisconsin’s forests, it is often the large tracts of forestland in the northern part of the state that we imagine. However, the importance of our urban forests in the climate change puzzle cannot be overlooked. The street trees, park trees, woodlands and riparian areas in and around our towns and cities provide essential services. Not only do these urban trees sequester and store large amounts of carbon, but they also work to mitigate the effects of urban heat islands and extreme heat events by retaining moisture and providing shade. To learn more about urban forests and urban forest management, download LEAF’s Urban Forest Lesson Guide. |
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Extreme Heat - Climate Wisconsin: Stories from a State of Change |
Though Wisconsin is notorious for frigid winters, extreme heat kills more people in the state than all other weather disasters (e.g., tornadoes, floods, blizzards) combined. |
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Climate Change Impacts on Wisconsin Forests and Forest Industries
While Wisconsin’s forests continue to play an important role in mitigating the potential impacts of climate change, climate change is also creating problems for the health of our rural and urban forests. Warmer winters are changing the mix of trees that grow in different areas of our state, and encouraging the growth of deer populations, which can damage native forests. Both drought and heavy storm events are making their effects visible in our forests. These increased stresses on our forests are making them more susceptible to damage from diseases and pests. The changing health of our forests affects how we recreate and use our forests, and is also having impacts on our forest products industry. |
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Planting for the Future
A story map from the Wisconsin DNR
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Urban foresters always have the “right tree, right place” mantra at the forefront of their thoughts, but what is the right tree and the right place in an uncertain climate? This story map aims to shed some light on that question. |
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Putting Information into Action
Our state’s scientists and foresters aren’t just sitting back and letting nature take its course—they have been studying our forests to find ways both to increase the forest’s ability to mitigate climate change, and also to help forests be more adaptive to climate change. Wisconsin’s Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) Forestry Working Group has made important suggestions on these fronts: priorities such as increasing tree planting in urban and rural areas, pursuing “climate-focused” forest management strategies, and supporting the use of Wisconsin wood products are on its list. Initiatives like Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge, as well as steps taken to address the inequity of urban tree canopy, and the process of urban foresters thinking about the future when they select what types of trees to plant in urban areas, will help address these goals. Wisconsin’s citizens can do their own part in helping address these goals by taking care of the trees in their own yards, by planting more trees (see this LEAF lesson on tree planting!), and by using sustainable forest products whenever possible. |
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Teaching About Climate Change: Online Resources for Middle and High School Educators |
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Teaching middle and high school students about climate change involves helping students make sense of data, draw connections between complex topics, listen to opposing viewpoints, and think critically about information. Participants will delve into strategies and curriculum materials designed to help bring students to a deeper understanding of the topic. Participants have 45 days from registration to complete the module, which should take approximately 7 hours. Cost: $50
This on-demand course is designed for middle and high school life science, agriculture, and environmental science teachers with beginning to intermediate knowledge of climate change. The resources may also be useful for government, economics, and ELA teachers as well.
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HELP CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY!
Share your Arbor Day Stories and Photos!
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is seeking "then and now" photos of trees that were planted as a DNR Arbor Day seedling with a description of who planted it, where, and in what year. In addition to those “then and now” photos, they would welcome any photos or stories you have about students planting the seedlings in past years. Email photos/stories to Forestry.Webmail@Wisconsin.gov.
Learn some fun and easy ways you can celebrate Arbor Day with your students on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Arbor Day page! |
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Into Forestry: Heroes of the Forest
created by Into the Outdoors
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In this Into the Outdoors episode, the focus is on careers in the field of Forestry. The Division of Forestry is one branch of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; they partner with organizations, industries and other professionals to ensure sustainable management of our forests. Into the Outdoors Adventure Team members Charlie and Lucas are on a "special mission" to explore the diverse career opportunities and pathways for young people interested in natural resources. Do you want to be a Hero of the Forest? Teachers can access the supporting lesson here! |
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Have questions or need additional resources? Contact us at leaf@uwsp.edu. We are here to support educators and students with forestry opportunities. |
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