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Promoting vibrant, sustainable forests and forest-based economies

The Wisconsin Forestry Center is an outreach center in the College of Natural Resources at UW-Stevens Point and is supported in part by the UW-Madison Division of Extension.

The WFC is dedicated to serving the needs of Wisconsin’s forestry community. We focus on partner-driven professional development, workforce recruitment and development, applied research, and community outreach initiatives.

NEWS AND EVENTS

SilviCast

Landscape Change: Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks

June 1, 2025

 

 

Foresters are well-versed in managing forests at the stand level. But what happens when the goal shifts to influencing vegetation across an entire landscape? Scaling up silvicultural practices to drive broad ecological outcomes—like achieving a balanced age-class distribution or providing diverse bird habitats—adds layers of complexity. So, where do we start? Enter Dynamic Forest Restoration Blocks—a strategy that divides large forested areas into manageable, ecologically meaningful units. These blocks allow foresters to apply targeted management practices that align with broader conservation and restoration goals.

In this episode, we explore this innovative approach with two leading voices in the field: Jeff Larkin, professor in the Department of Biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Forest Bird Advisor with the American Bird Conservancy, and Dan Heggenstaller, North Central Regional Forester with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Join us as they share insights on using this framework to achieve meaningful, landscape-scale change.

 

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Prescribed Fire for Forest Management Webinar Series

MONTHLY ON WEDNESDAYS | 10:30 A.M. – NOON CT

This webinar series explores several facets of prescribed fire related to forests and forest management. Foresters and land managers have many management tools at their disposal. A tool that’s often overlooked is prescribed fire. Prescribed fire for forest management is important for ​ecosystem health, forest regeneration, wildlife habitat, forest health, and disease control. Join us for insightful discussions with 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. 

Join us​ for the next webinar on June 4 when we discuss Prescribed Fire and Timber Quality with Presented by Michael Saunders, Ph.D., Professor of Hardwood Silviculture, Department of Ecology and Natural Resources, Purdue University and Joseph Marschall, Senior Research Associate, Center for Tree Ring Science, University of Missouri-Columbia.

 

ONLINE VIA ZOOM

Applied Ecological Silviculture Webinar Series

MONTHLY ON WEDNESDAYS | NOON-1 P.M. CT

Foresters and land managers are increasingly entrusted with implementing forestry practices that meet a variety of ecological objectives. 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.

Join us​ for the final webinar in this series on June 18 when Presented by Bob Seymour, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Silviculture, Maine’s School of Forest Resources discusses Ecological Silviculture of Acadian Forests.

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