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.

• Volunteering: Help restore natural areas at state parks
• Movement aims for families to get outside for 1,000 hours
• Input needed on new urban forest sustainability standard
• Call for Michgan ArborCon presentations
• Workshops and conferences
• In the news
• Webinars
• Research
• Funding

Volunteering: Help restore natural areas at state parks

Several state parks in southern Michigan will host volunteer stewardship workdays in November. Volunteers are needed to help remove invasive plants that threaten high-quality ecosystems in the parks or to collect native wildflower and grass seeds. See where volunteers are needed, register for events and find additional ways to get involved in our most recent Get Involved Newsletter. 

Movement aims for families to get outside for 1,000 hours

Family life is chock-full of jobs, studying, clubs, formal activities and a culture of hustle and bustle that pulls us in many different directions. A growing movement, the "1000 Hours Outside" campaign, aims to slow down that lifestyle, reduce screen time and get families back enjoying the fun, relaxation and health benefits of time spent outdoors. Discover how you can incorporate time outside into your daily activities and join an 1,000-hour outdoor challenge.

Input needed on new urban forest sustainability standard

Public comments are being accepted by Dec. 1 for a new forestry standard developed for North American urban and community forests by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative®. The SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard for application in North America will be developed collaboratively with five urban forestry leaders: American Forests, Arbor Day Foundation, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Society of Municipal Arborists and Tree Canada. Learn more and submit comments.

Call for Michgan ArborCon presentations

Urban and community forestry industry leaders are invited to submit speaker applications for ArborCon 2022. Michigan’s premier education and networking event for tree care professionals attracts over 400 attendees each year and will take place Feb. 7-9 at the Lansing Center in Lansing. 

Learn more and submit a speaker application by Nov. 8. 

Workshops and conferences

Nov. 8-10: 2021 Michigan Association of Conservation Districts fall conference

Nov. 11: Pesticide Category/CORE Review & Update

Nov. 17-18: Partners in Community Forestry

Nov. 19: Urban Wood Network Academy

Nov. 29: Tree risk assessment qualification renewal course

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2: Tree risk assessment qualification full course

In the news

• How to turn the dead tree in your yard into a wooden heirloom
• New ordinance aims to boost tree canopy in Norwalk, Conn.

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