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Additional Work Team Resources

Additional Work Team Related Resources

Urban Forest Resources

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TREE INEQUITY

2021 WPR Segment, “Low Income Communities have Fewer Trees, and Climate Change is Pointing out that Disparity” https://www.wpr.org/environment/low-income-communities-have-fewer-trees-and-climate-change-pointing-out-disparity

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NATIVE PLANTS & ORGANISMS

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HABITATS AT HOME

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Biodiversity:

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● Wisconsin DNR Article: “Protecting Wisconsin’s Biodiversity”
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/biodiversity
○ Notes Wisconsin’s rich biodiversity due to its location at the junction of several major ecosystems, and provides links to learn about the state’s rare species and natural communities

● Snapshot Wisconsin Report: “Measuring Biodiversity: Ecoregion Appendix”
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/Research/lessons_MeasuringBiodiversityEcore
gionAppendix.pdf
○ Defines ecoregions and explains how factors like climate, soil, and land use create different habitats and support different species

● NatureServe Report: “Biodiversity in Focus: United States Edition”
○ Presents a comprehensive report concluding that over a third of the nation’s species and ecosystems are threatened with extinction
● Homegrown National Park Article: “Join the Movement - Here’s How”
https://homegrownnationalpark.org/
○ A grassroots movement that encourages individuals to restore biodiversity in their own backyards

● Land Trust Alliance Article: “Doug Tallamy: Preserving Biodiversity Through
Homegrown National Parks”
https://landtrustalliance.org/blog/doug-tallamy-preserving-biodiversity-through-
homegrown-national-parks
○ Highlights entomologist Doug Tallamy’s “Homegrown National Park” initiative

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Doug Tallamy’s Ecological Conservation Strategies:
A Wisconsin-Focused Learning Framework:

SHRINK LAWNS

  • DNR Article: “Plant Native Plants to Help Nature”
    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants
    ○ Comprehensive native plant resources, including beginner guides, plant selection tools, and rain garden implementation guidance specific to Wisconsin's climate zones

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Sustainable Lawn Care”
    https://arboretum.wisc.edu/news/arboretum-news/sustainable-lawn-care/
    ○ Sustainable lawn care practices and research-based alternatives to chemical- intensive maintenance, including demonstration gardens and educational programming

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Native & Naturalized - Selection”
    https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/article-topic/native-naturalize-selection/

    ○ Science-based horticultural information for selecting and establishing native plants as lawn alternatives, with region-specific planting guides
    ● UW-Madison Article: “Manage Yard & Garden Problems Wisely”
    https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/2025/05/19/manage-yard-garden-problems-wisely/
    ○ Integrated pest management and organic alternatives to conventional lawn care, with over 20,000 Wisconsinites receiving individualized guidance annually

    ● Healthy Lakes & Rivers Article: “Healthy Lakes Program of WI”
    https://healthylakeswi.com/
    ○ Shoreline restoration and native plant establishment for water quality protection, with specific guidance for Wisconsin's lake and river systems

    ● Live Green Toronto Video: “Shrinking the Lawn”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1y2NFolZZU
    ○ Features native plant expert Lorraine Johnson discussing practical techniques for reducing lawn area and replacing it with low-maintenance alternative groundcovers, native plants, shrubs and trees

    ● National Wildlife Federation Video: “Native Keystone Plants for Wildlife”-Doug
    Tallamy
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030
    ○ Doug Tallamy himself explains how keystone plants support 90% of caterpillar species that enable terrestrial birds to reproduce, featuring the importance of selecting the right native plants for your region.
    ● Our Changing Climate Video: “Why Lawns Must Die”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megIy0mO5-4
    ○ Explains the history of lawns and their negative environmental impact
    ● Benjamin Vogt Book: “Prairie Up: An Introduction to Natural Garden Design”
    https://www.amazon.com/Prairie-Up-Introduction-Natural-Garden/dp/0252086775
    ○ Offers a guide to creating natural, prairie-inspired gardens that support wildlife and are aesthetically pleasing by using plant communities to rethink traditional
    landscaping

    ● Graham Laird Gardner Book: “Mini-Meadows”
    https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Wild-small-scale-meadow-anywhere/dp/0760376239
    ○ A guide to designing, planting, and maintaining small-scale wildflower meadows in various spaces, from yards to containers, to support biodiversity and create low-maintenance, naturalistic gardens

    ● Roy Diblik Book: “The Know Maintenance Perennial Garden”
    https://www.amazon.com/Know-Maintenance-Perennial-Garden/dp/1604693347
    ○ Approach to garden design that emphasizes understanding how plants interact in natural communities to create beautiful, sustainable, and low-maintenance
    gardens

    ● Carole Rubin Book: “How to Get Your Lawn off Grass”
    https://www.amazon.com/How-Get-Your-Lawn-Grass/dp/155017259X
    ○ Guide for North American homeowners on replacing water-intensive and polluting turf-grass lawns with beautiful, low-maintenance native plants that
    conserve water and support local ecosystems

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LANDSCAPE WITH NATIVE TREES AND PLANTS (FOCUS ON KEYSTONES)

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  • ● Homegrown National Park Database: “North American Keystone Plants”
    https://homegrownnationalpark.org/keystone-plants/
    ○ Interactive database of North American keystone plants with Wisconsin-specific filtering, including detailed ecological function data and wildlife support information

    ● National Wildlife Federation Tool: “Native Plant Finder”
    https://nativeplantfinder.nwf.org/
    ○ Zip code-specific database showing which native plants support the most butterflies and moths in specific Wisconsin locations, with research-backed recommendations

    ● Wisconsin DNR Article: “Plant Native Plants to Help Nature”
    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/endangeredresources/nativeplants
    ○ Comprehensive plant selection guides, landscaping recommendations, and seasonal planting calendars specifically developed for Wisconsin's diverse
    ecological landscapes

    ● WisFlora Database: “Flora of Wisconsin”
    https://wisflora.herbarium.wisc.edu/index.php
    ○ Database of over 420,000 Wisconsin plant specimens with distribution maps, photographs, and ecological information for informed native plant selection

    ● UW-Madison Site: “Plant Species Information”
    https://arboretum.wisc.edu/get-involved/friends/native-plant-sale/plant-info-sheets/
    ○ Detailed information sheets for Wisconsin native trees, shrubs, and perennials with cultivation requirements and wildlife value data
    ● Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies Video: “Nature’s Best Hope”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWhaTbe_x0
    ○ Suggests that individual yard efforts can help restore biodiversity and support ecosystems, moving beyond reliance on traditional conservation areas

    ● Douglas Tallamy Book: “The Nature of Oaks”
    https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Oaks-Ecology-Essential-Native/dp/1643260448
    ○ Journey through the life of an oak tree, revealing the intricate and vital web of wildlife it supports and making a powerful case for planting and conserving these
    keystone species

    ● Alan Branhagen Book: “Native Plants of the Midwest”
    https://www.amazon.com/Native-Plants-Midwest-Comprehensive-
    Species/dp/1604695935
    ○ Guide for gardeners in the heartland, offering detailed profiles of over 500 native trees, shrubs, perennials, and other plants, along with practical advice on how to
    use them to create beautiful, ecologically-friendly landscapes
    ● Adelman & Schwartz Book: “Midwestern Native Shrubs and Trees”
    https://www.amazon.com/Midwestern-Native-Shrubs-Trees-Alternatives/dp/0821421646
    ○ Guide that empowers gardeners to support local ecosystems by providing native alternatives to popular nonnative ornamental trees and shrubs, detailing the
    specific wildlife these indigenous plants support

    ● Steiner Book: “Landscaping with Native Plants” https://www.amazon.com/Landscaping-
    Native-Plants-Wisconsin-Paperback/dp/B010EVSCMC
    ○ Provides detailed profiles of approximately 600 native Wisconsin plants and offers practical advice on how to use them to create beautiful, low-maintenance, and ecologically friendly landscapes

REMOVE AND/OR CONTROL INVASIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS

  • ● Wisconsin DNR Article: “Invasive Species”
    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Invasives
    ○ Official state invasive species identification guides, regulatory information, and control method recommendations based on Wisconsin-specific research and management experience

    ● Wisconsin DNR Site: “Wisconsin Invasive Species Council”
    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/invasives/InvasiveSpeciesCouncil
    ○ Science-based recommendations for invasive species classification and management, with species assessment groups providing comprehensive evaluation of control methods

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Integrated Pest and Crop Management”
    https://ipcm.wisc.edu/
    ○ Research-based IPM strategies that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining effective invasive species control, with over 80% of participants reporting
    successful practice adoption

    ● USDA Article: “Collaboration with Tribal Nations - Wisconsin”
    https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/state-offices/wisconsin/collaboration-with-tribal-nations-
    wisconsin
    ○ Resources such as guides, data and reports, and educational materials, and technological tools to support the collaboration between the NRCS and Tribal
    Nations in Wisconsin

    ● U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Resource Page: “Wildlife Biology and Field Techniques”
    https://www.fws.gov/training/category/wildlife-biology-and-field-techniques

    ○ Professional-level training in invasive plant management including ecology,
    mapping, control methods, equipment use, and policy compliance
    ● New York - New Jersey Trail Conference Video: “Invasive Species Management Techniques for Trail Maintainers”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6qL90WfczU
    ○ Highlights management techniques for various invasive species, demonstrating hands-on removal methods for herbaceous plants, woody shrubs, and vines

    ● PBS Video: “Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species”
    https://www.pbs.org/video/uninvited-the-spread-of-invasive-species-npryjl/
    ○ Discusses the significant negative impact of non-native invasive species on local ecosystems, the economy, and human health, highlighting the challenges and efforts to control their spread

    ● Weaner & Christopher Book: “Garden Revolution”
    https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Revolution-Landscapes-Source-
    Environmental/dp/1604696168
    ○ Approach to garden design that works with, rather than against, nature by using ecological principles and native plant communities to create dynamic, beautiful, and self-sustaining landscapes
    ● Ian Hodgson Book: “Wild About Weeds”
    https://www.amazon.com/New-Wild-Garden-Natural-style-practicalities/dp/0711260095
    ○ Perspective on the plants we typically consider undesirable, revealing their ecological importance and aesthetic potential in creating resilient, naturalistic gardens that benefit wildlife

    ● West & Rainer Book: “Planting in a Post-Wild World”
    https://www.amazon.com/Planting-Post-Wild-World-Communities-
    Landscapes/dp/1604695536
    ○ Approach to garden design, advocating for the creation of resilient and beautiful plant communities that mimic the structure and function of natural ecosystems in
    our urbanized and ecologically-changed landscapes

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REDUCE LIGHT POLLUTION

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● Starry Skies North Resource: “DarkSky Wisconsin”
https://starryskiesnorth.org/darkskyssn-wi
○ Wisconsin-specific light pollution mapping, certification programs, and advocacy for dark-sky friendly policies, with Newport State Park as Wisconsin's only certified Dark Sky location

● Wisconsin DNR Publication: “Sensible Shoreland Lighting”
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/ShorelandZoning/shorelandlighting.pdf
○ Technical guidance for environmentally sensitive lighting design, particularly for shoreline properties where light pollution significantly impacts wildlife behavior

● Vilas County Article: “Northwoods LIGHTS OUT”
https://vclra.org/2023/03/27/northwoods-lights-out/
○ "Lights Out" weekend initiatives and community education programs that have successfully engaged Wisconsin communities in light pollution reduction efforts

● Kickapoo Valley Reserve Article: “Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative”
http://kvr.state.wi.us/Natural-Features/Dark-Sky
○ Dark sky education and conservation programs in Wisconsin's Driftless region, working toward Dark Sky certification and public education
● Geneva Lake Astrophysics and STEAM Article: “Dark Skies Office”
https://glaseducation.org/dark-sky-office/
○ Student-led light pollution monitoring projects and community education in southeastern Wisconsin, with innovative sensor technology development
● Dark Sky International Video: “IDA 101: The 5 Principles for Responsible Outdoor
Lighting”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvD2Y3CxO-s
○ Official training video covering the 5 key principles: determining necessity, proper direction, appropriate brightness, using controls, and selecting proper color
temperature

● Sriram Murali Video: “Saving the Dark”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fHxNn-FEnc
○ Explores the pervasive problem of light pollution, detailing its harmful consequences for human health, wildlife, and scientific research, while also showcasing solutions and efforts to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky

● Florence Williams Book: “The Nature Fix”
https://www.amazon.com/Nature-Fix-Happier-Healthier-Creative/dp/0393355578
○ The science behind nature's positive effects on the brain, revealing how spending time outdoors can improve our health, promote creativity, and strengthen our relationships

● Merlin Sheldrake Book: “Entangled Life”
https://www.amazon.com/Entangled-Life-Worlds-Change-Futures/dp/0525510311
○ Exploration of the hidden world of fungi, revealing how these incredibly diverse organisms challenge our understanding of intelligence and individuality, and have
the power to reshape our ecosystems, minds, and future

● Margaret Renkl Book: “Late Migrations”
https://www.amazon.com/Late-Migrations-Natural-History-Love/dp/1571313788
○ A collection of essays that explore the beauty and sorrow of the natural world, family, and the cycle of life and death in the American South

BUILD SUPPORTIVE CONSERVATION HARDSCAPES FOR WILDLIFE

  • ● UW-Madison Article: “Collaborative Research on Sustainability”
    https://cias.wisc.edu/
    ○ Research-based approaches to sustainable landscape design that integrate hardscape elements with native plant communities and support wildlife habitat

    ● Wisconsin DNR Article: “Planting for Wildlife Habitat”
    https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/treeplanting/wildlife
    ○ Science-based guidance for creating wildlife habitat that incorporates appropriate hardscape elements for shelter, nesting, and ecosystem function

    ● The Nature Conservancy Article: “How Wetlands are Solving Wisconsin’s Biggest
    Challenges”
    https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/wisconsin/stories-in-
    wisconsin/wisconsin-nature-based-solutions/
    ○ Nature-based infrastructure solutions that combine hardscape elements with natural systems for flood control, water quality improvement, and habitat creation

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Examples of Sustainable Landscape Design”
    https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/landscapedesign/modules/examples-of-sustainable-
    landscape-design/
    ○ Technical guidance for sustainable hardscape materials selection, installation techniques, and integration with native landscaping for Wisconsin conditions

    ● This Old House Video: “How to Create a Rain Garden”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7F90IXf91A
    ○ Demonstrates step-by-step installation of a rain garden with native plantings to handle water runoff and prevent erosion, including soil testing and plant selection

    ● Back to Eden Film: “How to Grow a Regenerative Organic Garden”
    https://www.backtoedenfilm.com/#/
    ○ Showcases the "Back to Eden" gardening technique, which utilizes wood chip mulch to establish a self-sufficient, no-till garden that emulates natural processes, yielding nutrient-rich, flavorful produce with minimal exertion
    ● Ohlsen & Livingston & Wolpert Book: “The Resilient Farm and Homestead”
    https://www.amazon.com/Regenerative-Landscaper-Design-Landscapes-
    Environment/dp/1957869089
    ○ Guide that integrates permaculture design, food resiliency, and climate adaptation to help readers create sustainable and regenerative living systems on their land
    ● Brittenham & Summers Book: “Restoring the Landscape with Native Plants”
    https://www.amazon.com/Designing-Gardens-American-Revised-
    Expanded/dp/1978833644
    ○ Detailed descriptions of native plants and eco-friendly landscape designs to create aesthetically pleasing and ecologically responsible gardens that support local ecosystems in the Eastern United States

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CREATE “SOFT LANDING” HABITATS UNDER TREES

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  • ● Pollinators Native Plants Article: “Soft Landings”
    https://www.pollinatorsnativeplants.com/softlandings.html
    ○ Detailed technical guidance on soft landing design and plant selection, developed by the originator of the soft landing concept with extensive Great Lakes region
    experience

    ● UW-Stevens Point Article: “Wisconsin Forestry Center”
    https://www.uwsp.edu/wfc/wisconsin-forestry-center/
    ○ Research on Wisconsin forest understory dynamics and native plant community restoration, including data on understory species changes in Wisconsin forests
    over time

    ● NYBG Article: “Wisconsin Native Plant Societies: Home”
    https://libguides.nybg.org/c.php?g=680858
    ○ Local expertise and plant sources for understory native plants, with chapters throughout Wisconsin providing species-specific guidance and plant sales

    ● Prairie Nursery Article: “Nurture Biodiversity with ‘Soft Landings’”
    https://www.prairienursery.com/resources-guides/underplanting-for-biodiversity/
    ○ Commercial source for Wisconsin native understory plants with technical guidance on soft landing establishment and biodiversity enhancement

    ● UW-Madison Article: “UW Arboretum”
    https://arboretum.wisc.edu/news/arboretum-news/gardening-with-native-plants-
    considerations-for-starting-a-garden/
    ○ Demonstration woodland gardens showing successful soft landing implementations with Wisconsin native plants and research-based management techniques

    ● Patrick Goes Native Video: “How to Create Soft Landings Under your Trees”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-KuzpHCnVk
    ○ Explains how to plant native species beneath trees to create “soft landing” zones for insects during their pupal stage while enhancing landscape aesthetics and
    supporting pollinators

    ● Growing a Greener World Video: “Bringing Nature Home”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BETK1RCOj0Y
    ○ Highlights the crucial function of native plants in home gardens for maintaining local ecosystems and wildlife, promoting a change from cosmetic gardening to a
    more environmentally practical method by developing layered, biodiverse "new nature" in our own yards

    ● Tallamy & Darke Book: “The Living Landscape”
    https://www.amazon.com/Living-Landscape-Designing-Beauty-
    Biodiversity/dp/1604694084

    ○ Guide that merges ecological principles with landscape design to create beautiful, functional, and biodiverse gardens that support wildlife and are in harmony with
    the natural world

    ● William Cullina Book: “Native Ferns, Moss and Grasses”
    https://www.amazon.com/Native-Ferns-Grasses-William-Cullina/dp/1635618967
    ○ Providing gardeners with the knowledge to cultivate and propagate ferns, moss, and grasses to create refined and sophisticated natural landscapes
    ● Annie Martin Book: “The Magical World of Moss Gardening”
    https://www.amazon.com/Magical-World-Moss-Gardening/dp/1604695609
    ○ Guide that provides both inspiration and practical advice on how to cultivate moss to create serene, low-maintenance, and eco-friendly gardens in a variety of
    settings

MINIMIZE FERTILIZERS, FUNGICIDES, AND PESTICIDES

  • ● UW-Madison Article: “IPCM”
    https://ipcm.wisc.edu/
    ○ Research-based IPM strategies with diagnostic services helping over 20,000 Wisconsinites annually adopt reduced-chemical practices with 80% reporting successful implementation

    ● Shorewood WI Article: “Natural Lawn Care”
    https://www.villageofshorewood.org/734/Natural-Lawn-Care
    ○ Municipal model for chemical-free landscape management demonstrating successful organic approaches in public spaces, including policy frameworks for community adoption

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Sustainable Lawn Care”
    https://arboretum.wisc.edu/news/arboretum-news/sustainable-lawn-care/
    ○ Demonstration of chemical-free lawn management with no irrigation, fertilization, or pesticide use while maintaining aesthetic and functional landscapes

    ● UW-Madison Article: “Collaborative Research on Sustainability”
    https://cias.wisc.edu/
    ○ Research on organic alternatives to conventional landscape chemicals, including field trials comparing effectiveness and economic benefits of organic approaches

    ● UW Madison Article: “Gardening with Native Plants”
    https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/gardening-with-native-plants/
    ○ Native plant resources that reduce chemical dependency through appropriate plant selection and ecosystem-based landscape management
    ● Gardenary Video: “How to Control Pests in your Garden” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYH9r3RNZ1Q

    ○ Shares 10 organic methods to control garden pests without spraying, including companion planting, physical barriers, beneficial insects, and proper timing techniques

    ● Amazon Prime Film: “Kiss the Ground”
    https://kissthegroundmovie.com/
    ○ Discusses the possibility of regenerating the world’s soils as a solution to stabilize Earth’s climate, restore lost ecosystems and create abundant food supplies

    ● Nancy Lawson Book: “The Humane Gardener”
    https://www.amazon.com/Humane-Gardener-Nurturing-Backyard-
    Wildlife/dp/1616895543
    ○ Guide to creating a compassionate and ethical garden that embraces all creatures, big and small, by fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of
    nature and promoting a more harmonious relationship with wildlife

    ● Benjamin Vogt Book: “A New Garden Ethic”
    https://www.amazon.com/New-Garden-Ethic-Cultivating-Compassion/dp/0865718555
    ○ Challenges traditional gardening practices by arguing for a compassionate and ecologically-conscious approach that prioritizes native plants and biodiversity to foster a deeper connection with nature and address pressing environmental issues

    ● Johnstone & Macy Book: “Active Hope”
    https://www.amazon.com/Active-Hope-without-Going-Crazy/dp/1577319729
    ○ Framework for facing the climate crisis and other global challenges with a sense of purpose and empowerment, rather than succumbing to despair, by moving through a four-step process of gratitude, honoring our pain, seeing with new eyes, and going forth

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