Forest Management Strategies for a Changing Climate
NIACS Strategy 2: Reducing the Impact of Biological Stressors
Recorded Feb. 18, 2026
PRESENTERS
Martha Sample
Climate Adaptation Specialist, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Martha is a Climate Adaptation Specialist with the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) based at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Her position focuses on developing tools and resources for forest managers to support adaptation to changing climate and disturbance regimes.
Stephen Kaufman
Forest Ranger, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Steve is a Forest Ranger with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He has worked for the Wisconsin DNR since 2007 in a variety of roles throughout Northeast Wisconsin. He has worked the last 8 years in Oconto County where he primarily works in wildfire control, assisting private landowners, and working with the US Forest Service and Oconto County Forest with the management of their forests.
Ron Waukau
Forest Manager, Menominee Tribal Enterprises
Ron Waukau has had a long career at Menominee Tribal Enterprises, starting in 1988. Ron has served multiple appointments across Menominee forest operations prior to becoming Forest Manager.
Moderator
Brad Hutnik
Forest Ecologist/Silviculturist, Division of Forestry – Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Brad Hutnik is a forest ecologist / silviculturist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Since 2012, Brad has served as a member of the WDNR Silviculture Team. As such, Brad currently works statewide on forest ecology and silviculture issues and has been involved with prescribed fire as a management tool throughout his career. Brad previously served as the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway forester (2002-2012) and worked as a staff forester at Clark Forestry, Inc. (1997-2002). Brad received a bachelor’s degree in forest management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1997. He is a Certified Silviculturist (USDA-FS) and co-host of UWSP’s SilviCast podcast.
Additional Resources
Continuing Education
This webinar has been pre-approved for the following:
1.5 Society of American Foresters (SAF) Cat. 1 CFEs
1.0 Wisconsin DNR Cooperating Forester CEUs
Please contact wfc@uwsp.edu for more information. CEUs and CFEs are not available for those watching the recorded session.
Thank you!
This series is possible through a grant from the Wisconsin SFI® Implementation Committee. The mission of the Wisconsin SFI® Implementation Committee (WI SIC) is to promote and enhance SFI and sustainable forestry practices within Wisconsin through grassroots collaboration with stakeholders, partners, and those who benefit from managed forests.
The Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts (WICCI) is a statewide collaboration of scientists and stakeholders formed as a partnership between UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. WICCI’s goals are to evaluate climate change impacts on Wisconsin and foster solutions.
Meet Your Hosts
Wisconsin Forestry Center
The Wisconsin Forestry Center (WFC) is dedicated to serving the needs of Wisconsin’s forestry community through partner-driven professional and workforce development, applied research, and community outreach initiatives that promote vibrant, sustainable forests and forest-based economies.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin’s 17 million acres of forestlands and millions of urban trees significantly enhance the quality of life in our state. The Wisconsin DNR dedicates itself to the sustainable management and protection of this precious resource so that it continues to provide a host of ecological, economic and social benefits for years to come. Learn about Wisconsin forestry by visiting the Division of Forestry publications catalog, external news site and forestry videos.