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Sugarbush Management

Gresham, Wis.

Sugarbush Management

May 8, 2025 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Managing maple stands for sustainable sap production presents unique challenges. The sentiment that you “don’t cut sugar maple” could use some critical thinking and review. In this workshop, we will explore maple sugaring, state and federal policies regarding sugarbush management, and timber marking for sugar maple stand improvement. This workshop will begin at The Club House Function Suite at Pine Hills Golf Course.

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WORKSHOP DETAILS

Workshop Fee: $35

Registration now open! Register by Friday, April 28, 2025.

Funding is available to reimburse Tribal members and Tribal staff members from Tribes in Wisconsin for registration fees through the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council. Eligible participants interested in registration reimbursement will be contacted by WTCAC to arrange payment.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation requests received in writing by Wed., May 1, 2025 will be granted a full refund. No refunds will be granted on or after Thur., May 2, 2025. Please send all cancellation requests to the Wisconsin Forestry Center.

Continuing Education Credit

This program has been pre-approved for the following:

                

Funding is available to reimburse Tribal members and Tribal staff members from Tribes in Wisconsin for travel expenses through the Wisconsin Tribal Conservation Advisory Council. Reimbursement for mileage can only be offered for participants living in Wisconsin or neighboring states. Eligible participants interested in travel reimbursement will be contacted by WTCAC to arrange payment.

Target Audience

This workshop is for foresters and sugarbush managers interested in optimizing sap yield and sustainability in sugar maple stands.  Although the workshop is designed for foresters, any natural resources or agricultural professionals and/or woodland owners are welcome to attend.

WORKSHOP INSTRUCTORS

Allan Braun

Wisconsin State Forester, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

Allan Braun is the Wisconsin state forester for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). He was born and raised in Fond du Lac County and graduated from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in forest management in 2003. After college he spent 17 years working with the U.S. Forest Service in Alaska, Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Vermont. He joined NRCS in 2020 and became state forester shortly after. He enjoys spending time with his family hiking, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and fishing in his free time.

Mike Demchik, Ph.D.

Professor of Silviculture, UW-Stevens Point

Michael Demchik is a professor of forestry at UW-Stevens Point. He teaches a range of courses and is involved in research that addresses using silviculture to reach landowner goals. He is particularly obsessed with developing methods to teach students to mark timber better, faster, and with more confidence in their decisions. He has had several jobs across federal, state, and private natural resource management in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Tony Johnson

Forestry Outreach Specialist, Maple Syrup Program Manager, UW-Madison Division of Extension

Tony Johnson is a university extension educator working to support Wisconsin woodland owners. He provides statewide forestry and agroforestry outreach and runs Extension’s Maple Syrup Program. Prior to joining UW-Madison Extension, Tony worked on conservation and ecological restoration projects for the USDA, Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service and in the private sector.

Jacob Crawford

Forest Ecologist, Audubon Upper Mississippi River

Jacob joined Audubon Upper Mississippi River in 2025 as a Forest Ecologist, where he leads the implementation of Audubon’s Bird-Friendly Maple Project in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Previously, he worked as a Forest Conservation Intern with Audubon Vermont, helping to advance the same initiative in his, and the project’s, home state. Jacob holds a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont, where his passion for bird conservation and sustainable forest management took root.


Violet Thielke

Forester, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Bio coming soon

Thomas Prestby

Audubon Upper Mississippi River

Bio coming soon

WORKSHOP PARTNERS