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Non-LEAF Forestry Activities

The Changing of the Land: A Wisconsin Forest History Unit

The Changing of the Land was developed in 2002 under a Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB)
grant at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES). The unit was originally distributed on CD-ROM
to fourth grade teachers in Wisconsin. A one-day field experience that complements the unit is offered by CWES.

  • Lesson 1 – Wisconsin’s Early Forests and Its Inhabitants
  • Lesson 2 – Forestry Needs More Than Trees
  • Lesson 3 – The Logging Process
  • Lesson 4 – Lumberjack Life
  • Lesson 5 – Farming the Cutover and Wisconsin Ghost Towns
  • Lesson 6 – The Peshtigo Fire
  • Lesson 7 – Politics and Forestry Beginnings In Wisconsin
  • Lesson 8 – Rebuilding Our Forests
  • Lesson 9 – Forest Products and Technology
  • Lesson 10 – Managing For the Future

Early Logging Tools: Lessons for Forestry Stakeholders and Professionals

These activities help forestry stakeholders introduce students to historical tools that were used by lumberjacks and early loggers.
The activities are ideal for use in the forest and/or at field days and provide students with a hands-on opportunity to learn how the tools – and Wisconsin forests – helped build our state. Further discussions following the activities can help students understand the continued value of Wisconsin forests today and how Wisconsin has become a leader in sustainable forestry.

Complete Document

Invaders of the Forest

Invaders of the Forest was a 2005 project funded by the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB). Project partners: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources & The Park People: Friends of Milwaukee County Parks.

Defining The Problem

What are native, non-native, and invasive plants? How do they differ from weeds? How much do we know about them? What do they do?

Identifying Invasive Forest Plants

What are invasive plants like? What characteristics do they have that make them so successful?

Understanding Connections

How do invasives change the balance of native communities?

Preventing New Invasions

Invasive plants didn’t get here by themselves. How do we aid and abet alien invaders?

Detecting & Monitoring Invasives

Early detection, rapid response, and continued monitoring are the keys to slowing the spread of invasives. How can you find invasive plants before they are a huge problem?

Controlling Invasive Plants

How do you control invasive plants? Can you eliminate them? What are the options?

Rebuilding Our Forests: One Hundred Years of Forestry in Wisconsin

To celebrate Wisconsin’s forestry centennial in 2004, a special poster contest booklet was created that year by the LEAF Program. Activities were Wisconsin specific and reflected our state’s forest history. Because of their relevancy to Wisconsin, the activities are posted here for your use.

Complete Document
Activity 1 – I Saw it on the 6 O’clock News
Activity 2 – Urban Trees on TV
Activity 3 – Foresters Make Headlines

Wisconsin Forestree: Bridging the Gap Between Environment and Economy

Wisconsin Forestree was developed in 2000 at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES). A one-day field experience that complements the unit is offered by CWES.

If you would like a printed copy of the Wisconsin Forestree Curriculum, please email leaf@uwsp.edu with your name and mailing address.

  • Lesson 1  – The Science of Forests and Trees
  • Lesson 2  – A Competitive Edge
  • Lesson 3  – Forests of Wisconsin
  • Lesson 4  – Wisconsin Forest History
  • Lesson 5  – Forest Utility
  • Lesson 6  – Forest Value
  • Lesson 7  – Natural Resource Careers: A Game of Life
  • Lesson 8  – Forest Management: The Shady River State Forest
  • Lesson 9  – Forestry Issues Investigation
  • Lesson 10– The Wisconsin Forestry Summit

Wisconsin Forests Forever Teachers’ Guide

Wisconsin Forests Forever was produced by the Wisconsin Forest Resources Education Alliance (WFREA) in 2000. Printed copies were originally for sale from WFREA and were accompanied by a CD-ROM. printed copies of the material and CDs are no longer available for purchase. Four of the 14 activities utilize the CD, the remaining 10 do not.

Wisconsin’s Millennium Tree

These materials were developed in 1999 as part of the Millennium Tree activities celebrating a Wisconsin tree being picked for the Nation’s Capitol Christmas tree. Created and produced by the USDA Forest Service, North Central Research Station; USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry; USDA Forest Service, Office of Conservation Education; Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry; and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.