Wisconsin’s Tree Planting Pledge is Growing Strong

Five years ago, on Earth Day in April 2021, Wisconsin made a bold commitment to plant 100 million trees, including 1 million trees in urban areas, and conserve 125,000 acres of forestland by 2030. Known as Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge (the pledge), the commitment is part of a global effort to accelerate nature-based solutions to the shifting precipitation and temperature patterns we are experiencing.  

By the end of 2025, more than 54.7 million trees have been planted statewide, including over 485,000 in urban areas, where trees are especially vital for improving air quality, reducing energy costs, managing stormwater, and supporting community connection. The remaining 54.2 million trees have been planted in rural locations such as county, state and national forests, parks, and private forestland. Conservation efforts have been impressive as well. More than 84,000 acres of forestland have been protected, 67% of the 125,000-acre goal.  

The vision, mission and work of the Forest Stewards Guild and its members is closely aligned with the core goals of the pledge. Furthermore, the Guild is a leader in several areas that encompass Supporting Actions the Wisconsin DNR has committed to as part of the pledge. These are activities and practices that build a stronger foundation for healthy forests, economies, and socio-cultural impacts of forests.  Below are a few examples of these actions; you can see the full list in the 2025 Annual Report.  

Sustainable Forestry 

The Wisconsin DNR administers the nation's largest collection of certified lands, 6.4 million acres, encompassing DNR-managed state lands, county forest lands, and private lands under the Managed Forest Law Program. Independent, third-party certification through Forest Stewardship Council®, Sustainable Forestry Initiative® and American Tree Farm System® ensures that forests are responsibly managed and safeguards environmental, social and economic benefits.  

Nursery Development and Capacity 

The DNR’s Reforestation Program is a key component of Wisconsin’s tree planting pledge. Of the nearly 11.9 million trees planted statewide in 2025, roughly 9 million were supplied by the DNR. The seed for state nursery production is procured from sources throughout the state to foster genetic diversity in seedlings, seed storage and preservation. The Reforestation Program maintains a network of statewide seed collection stations and trained staff to ensure seed is always fresh and in good condition to go into storage or be sown. 

A Bipartisan Infrastructure Law grant is currently funding a major renovation of the Hayward State Nursery, upgrading the 1950s-era facility into a modern Tree Improvement Center, slated for completion by 2026. Expanded nursery capacity will be critical to sustaining the roughly 11-12 million trees per year the state needs to plant through 2030 and beyond. 

Tree Protection Through Management 

The DNR Forest Health Program assists partners and the public in the identification and management of insect, disease, and invasive plants in forests. The Forest Health program works in collaboration with researchers and educators on many projects to provide outreach and education on practical options at various scales. 

Supporting all this work is a wide network of partners. We value the work of the Forest Stewards Guild to promote forest stewardship and help illuminate best practices and management considerations of forests. One way you can support our efforts is by registering any trees you plant in Wisconsin on our statewide survey. Please visit us online to learn more about the Trillion Trees program, see our 2025 report, and find our contact information.