Detail on a few of the activities planned for the Year of Wisconsin Forestry

Arbor Day Fourth-Grade Essay Contest and Fifth-Grade Poster Contest
This year, these annual competitions will have a centennial flavor. The theme for the fourth grade essay contest is, "Happy Birthday, Forestry!" and the fifth grade poster contest is, "Rebuilding our Forests: 100 years of Forestry in Wisconsin."

Libraries:
DNR Forestry is cooperating with the Department of Public Instruction on the Wisconsin Summer Library Reading Program,. Their 2004 theme is "Discover New Trails at Your Local Public Library. A May 6th conference for librarians is planned to introduce them to the forestry materials as they gear up for the summer activities. DNR has produced a "reading log" for children to record the titles of the gooks they read next summer and the amount of time they spend reading. 2004 is Smokey Bear's 60th birthday and DNR is sending libraries a Smokey Bear birthday party kit to help them celebrate.

Books:
Trees for Tomorrow is producing a new book, "In Grandpa's Woods", by Sharon Addy. The book will introduce 4 to 7-year-old children to the concept that forests offer many things. The book is scheduled to come off the press in May and a copy will be given to every public and elementary school library in Wisconsin.

The Natural Resources Foundation is producing a book for fourth-grade students. This will be a historical fiction book that will help students as they study Wisconsin history. When it comes off the press next September it will also be given to public and school libraries. Fourth grade classrooms can also request ten-book sets.

Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association will reach out to the adult book crowd with a coffee-table book about 100 years of forestry in Wisconsin. Expected introduction is September in time for the holiday gift season.

The Tree Guy
Thanks to a federal urban forestry grant, Tim Womick, a.k.a. "The Tree Guy", will travel the state for 30 days during 2004 bringing his energetic presentation for kids about the importance and value of trees and forests to schools, libraries and other public venues.