This weekly newsletter contains information related to urban forestry and arboriculture training, research, jobs, and funding in Michigan, nationally and internationally. If you know of an event or opportunity that may be of interest to our partners, please email program coordinator Kevin Sayers.

• Apply for recognition with 'Tree City' family of programs
• Arborists to recognize veterans with day of service
• Learn to "lend a hand for the land" with Woodsy Owl
• MSU to offer online forest science seminars
• Support your community forestry goals with grants
• Workshops and conferences
• In the news
• Webinars
• Research
• Jobs

Apply for recognition with 'Tree City' family of programs

Celebrate your community's accomplishments in urban and community forestry by applying for Tree City USA program recognition. In addition, universities, healthcare organizations and utilities are eligible for recognition in related programs, including Tree Campus, Tree Campus Healthcare and Tree Line. Communities that have received Tree City recognition for at least one year may be eligible for Growth Awards. Learn more and submit an application.

Arborists to recognize veterans with day of service

Saluting Branches is a nonprofit arborist organization dedicated to honoring  veterans by organizing volunteer tree and landscape care for dedicated properties such as memorials and cemeteries. A seventh annual Saluting Branches Day of Service will be held Sept. 22. Learn more and get involved in a local chapter.

Learn to "lend a hand for the land" with Woodsy Owl

Smokey Bear's friend in conservation, Woodsy Owl, will be hosting a live learning event at 1 p.m. Sept. 14, on Facebook, sharing ways to care for the land. Woodsy's message is kid-friendly and all about conservation and the environment. View a trailer for the event and learn how to join in. 

MSU to offer online forest science seminars

Michigan State University's Department of Forestry will bring a series of online science seminars on trees to your screen starting Tuesday, Sept. 14. Each Tuesday through Nov. 16, the department will offer seminars via Zoom on topics that include biodiversity, management perspectives, urban forestry, biomass use and more. Learn more and view presentations. 

Support your community forestry goals with grants

Funding opportunities for a variety of tree-related programs have been announced and are now available; apply to boost forestry efforts in your community.

• Michigan DNR Community Forestry Grants – learn more and apply by Sept. 17.

• Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Conservation Grants – learn more and apply by Oct. 22. 

• FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program – learn more and apply by between Sept. 30, 2021 and Jan. 28, 2022.
• USFS Community Forest and Open Space Program – learn more and apply by Jan. 10, 2022.
• Arbor Day Foundation Environmental Justice Initiative Grants – learn more and apply by Sept. 30.

Workshops and conferences

Sept. 14: What's up with my tree?

Sept. 15-16: 2021 ISA-Michigan fall conference

Sept. 17-19: Michigan Tree Climbing Championship

Sept. 24: Chainsaw safety, maintenance and tree felling

Sept. 29-Oct. 1: America in Bloom

Oct. 12-14: Nature & Health 2021 conference

In the news

• Opinion: The urban-rural climate divide should be bridged by nature
• Somerville aims for climate resilience and equity with new urban forest report
• Calgary’s urban canopy weathers drought, smoke in steamy Alberta summer
• City of Wooster, MA considering urban forestry commission to protect shade tree canopy
• Plan to manage Walla Walla's trees 'inadequate,' argues local nonprofit
• Planting trees to offset the legacy of racist housing policies

News articles, workshops, webinars and other information from outside DNR in this publication are provided for informational purposes and are not endorsements.