Blog Articles

Rachel Jordan, Dodgeville – passed away on July 29, 2021.  She was a very active Life Member and leader in Wisconsin’s forestry community.  Rachel served on the WWOA Board of Directors from 1984 through 1991.  She served as vice president from 1985-87 and then became President in 1987-88.  Rachel also served as WWOA’s executive director for a time.  She and her husband, Don, were named Wisconsin Tree Farmers of the Year (1994) and subsequently were named…

Daniel “Dan” Doughty, Eau Claire – passed away on June 28, 2021.  He was a charter WWOA member and he enjoyed spending time in his woodlands.  Dan was most noted for his service to our country at home and abroad.  He joined the Air Force Reserve in 1952 and became a fighter pilot.  On April 2, 1966 while on his 170th combat mission he was shot down while over North Vietnam and was taken prisoner. …

Michael Gehrke, Winter – passed away on April 16, 2021.  He served on the WWOA Board of Directors from 2000-2006 and served on the executive committee as Secretary from 2003-2005.  Mike also served on the Board of the Northwest Chapter for many years.  He volunteered on many WWOA committees including several Annual Meeting Planning Committees.  Michael believed in giving back and always offered his help.  He loved living in his woods and watching the birds…

Lawrence G. Krause, Pewaukee – passed away May 28, 2021.  He loved sailing and spending time at his cottage and in the pristine woods surrounding Duck Lake in Langlade County.  The family will host a Celebration of Larry’s life from 4:00 – 7:00 pm on Friday, June 4 at the Pewaukee Yacht Club, N22 W28204 Edgewater Drive, Pewaukee.

Madison, WI – April 7, 2021: Governor Tony Evers proclaims Arbor Day April 30th and Forest Appreciation Week 22nd – 30th in Wisconsin.  Arbor Day has been celebrated by our state’s school kids since 1883, and is officially observed in Wisconsin on the last Friday in April. Forest Appreciation Week is a time to acknowledge our state’s trees and forests for their importance to our economy, environment, public health, and collective identity as Wisconsinites.

Carol Warosh, Wausau – passed away April 20, 2021. She was an active member of WWOA and the North Central Chapter.  She will be remembered for creating hundreds of baskets of pinecone firestarters which decorated the Friday evening tables at WWOA’s Annual Meeting for many years.

John “Jack” Mathie, Wausau – passed away April 5, 2021.  He was an active member of WWOA and the North Central Chapter.   In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s name can be sent to the Christ Lutheran Church Memorial Fund (1300 Townline Rd, Wausau, WI 54403) or the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association at UW-Stevens Point (WWOA, PO Box 285, Stevens Point, WI 54481).

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reminding all Wisconsinites the annual Spring Hearings begin online at 7 p.m. on April 12 and will remain open for 3 days (72 hours) ONLY! All questions are available to preview here – you do not have to answer every question, you can answer the questions that impact you.

Joseph “Joe” Esch, Dodgeville – passed away March 25, 2021.  He was a life member of WWOA and served as WWOA’s insurance advisor for decades.  The family suggests that memorials be made to the Upland Hills Health Hospice Care, 800 Compassion Way, PO Box 800, Dodgeville, WI 53533 or St. John’s Union Mills Catholic Church, 621 W. Division St., Dodgeville, WI 53533.

PESHTIGO, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirms emerald ash borer in the Town of Peshtigo in Marinette County. This latest confirmation is in addition to the Town of Abrams and City of Oconto Falls in Oconto County. Previously, both counties positively identified emerald ash borer (EAB), with additional locations in the Towns of Goodman, Niagara and Wagner in Marinette County, and the Towns of Little Suamico and Morgan in Oconto County.