Protect trees and shrubs from winter wildlife damage

If your ground has not frozen yet, it is not too late to put protective fencing around trees and shrubs that often experience damage from deer, rabbit, vole, or mouse feeding over winter. Fruit trees, crab apples, burning bush, forsythia, dwarf Korean lilac, shrub hibiscus, low-growing junipers, and arborvitaes are among the plants that are […]

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The Intersections of Youth, Arts, Climate Change, and Public Health

Taylor Seale, MPH, Positive Youth Development Educator Last month, Extension colleagues from the Positive Youth Development Institute and Natural Resources Institute partnered with the Arts + Literature Laboratory to create an educational workshop for teens that centered on climate change and the arts. During the event, teens could connect with local environmental organizations, walk through […]

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Tis the Season to Celebrate Soil!

By Michelle Probst, Natural Resource Educator As we enter the holiday season, there is one holiday that simply cannot be missed—World Soils Day. On Dec. 5th of every year, we set a day to appreciate soil and focus on the importance of healthy soil. As a soil scientist, I jump for joy that everyone is […]

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Private Pesticide Applicator Training

DANE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE HAS NO MORE CAPACITY FOR TESTING THIS YEAR. PLEASE CALL (608) 262-7588 FOR MORE INFORMATION. Private Pesticide Applicator testing and certification will be similar to last year. General InformationPlease be aware that County Extension Offices will no longer be sending out notification letters to individuals when their certification is expiring.  Certification […]

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Keep Watering in Fall to Protect Evergreens from Winter Burn

‘Winter burn’ refers to a type of damage to evergreen foliage that typically occurs over winter. Common symptoms are browning and dying from the tips of the foliage inward. Several factors cause winter burn on evergreens, including winter ‘thaws’ while the ground is frozen, dry soil in autumn, a long period of very cold temperatures, […]

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Fertilizing Lawns

Lawns really benefit from fertilization at least once a year with nitrogen-containing products to maintain turf density, shade out weed seedlings and prevent runoff. If you only do it once, it is best to do it now, between Labor Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 10.  Apply no more than one pound of actual […]

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Engaging Conversation through Art: The CarbonEra Cafe

by Sharon Lezberg, Community Development Educator Climate conversations can be initiated in so many different ways. Some conversations are prompted by a powerful question. Other conversations emerge due to circumstances, such as a flood, fire, or other evidence of environmental change. Some of the most powerful conversations are inspired by a creative catalyst, such as […]

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Local Communities: Key Players in Addressing Climate Change

by Sharon Lezberg, Community Development Educator There’s no doubt that Individual actions such as eliminating air travel, reducing car miles, and eating less meat can result in significant carbon reductions. I know from my own experience that when my friends and colleagues are taking action, it motivates me to follow their lead. Individual actions can […]

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Local Government Leadership Academy Graduates Recognized at WCA Conference

Fifteen individuals, including two from Dane County (Julia Arata Fratta, Fitchburg, and Jacob King, Sun Prairie), were recognized this month for completing the Wisconsin Local Government Leadership Academy. Their graduation took place at the Wisconsin Counties Association annual conference in the Wisconsin Dells. The Local Government Leadership Academy is a collaborative effort between UW-Madison Division […]

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