Trillion Tree Pledge Update: Gov. Evers, DNR Announce More Than 10 Million Trees Planted in 2024

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in celebration of Earth Day, Arbor Day, and Forest Appreciation Week, today released Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge 2024 Annual Report. The report shows that Wisconsin planted nearly 10.7 million trees and conserved more than 57,000 acres of forestland in the state in 2024 as part of Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge. On Earth Day 2021, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #112, joining the pledge and committing to plant 75 million new trees and conserve 125,000 acres of forest in Wisconsin by the end of 2030. Last year on Earth Day, Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #221 increasing the state’s tree-planting goal to 100 million trees by the end of 2030.

In just the fourth year of the state’s Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin has already achieved more than 40 percent of its tree-planting goal and more than 60 percent of its forest conservation goal. Wisconsin’s pledge is in collaboration with public, private, and non-governmental partners and focuses on planting, managing, and conserving forests and trees in both rural and urban areas throughout the state.

“I’m jazzed that just four years into our Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin’s making significant progress toward our goal of planting 100 million trees by the end of 2030. I want to thank the many folks in every corner of our state, from students and teachers to families to businesses and volunteers, who’ve given a helping hand in this important work,” said Gov. Evers. “Our forests are not only part of our heritage and our way of life here in Wisconsin, but they’re also an essential part of our state’s economy and future success. So, as we continue work on the Trillion Trees Pledge, we remain committed to supporting the critical partners who help our forestry industry thrive, all while conserving our state’s precious natural resources for future generations to enjoy.”

“The DNR is proud to continue supporting Gov. Evers and his efforts enacting Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge, helping the state plant, preserve, and protect our forests for all Wisconsinites, present and future,” said DNR Secretary Karen Hyun. “This past year has included some huge wins for forest conservation, and we can’t wait to explore more opportunities to enhance our state’s abundant natural resources with conservation projects and community involvement.”

Gov. Evers has once again proclaimed April 22, 2025, as Earth Day in Wisconsin and proclaimed April 21, 2025, through Arbor Day, which is April 25, 2025, as Forest Appreciation Week. The governor’s Earth Day proclamation is available here, and the governor’s Forest Appreciation Week and Arbor Day proclamation is available here.

According to Wisconsin’s Trillion Trees Pledge 2024 Annual Report, of the nearly 10.7 million trees planted in 2024, the DNR supplied nearly 6.4 million of the seedlings planted, including 2.5 million that were planted on private lands, 2.2 million that were planted on DNR, federal, Tribal, and other public lands, 52,000 that were planted in county forests, 41,000 that were planted in school forests, and 49,000 that were given to students last Arbor Day.

Building upon the Evers Administration’s work to preserve forestland across the state, in 2024, the state of Wisconsin acquired the Pelican River Forest conservation easement, completing one of the largest conservation projects in state history. At nearly 70,000 acres, the Pelican River Forest is one of Wisconsin’s largest remaining forest tracts in private ownership. In April 2022, the DNR acquired a 12,419-acre conservation easement on the property, funded entirely by the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program.

In January 2024, the DNR acquired an additional conservation easement on 54,898 acres of the Pelican River Forest. As announced in his 2024 State of the State address, Gov. Evers approved the additional conservation easement, which is one of the largest conservation projects in Wisconsin history. Altogether, over 67,000 acres of the Pelican River Forest will be protected, ensuring the forest will remain open to the public in perpetuity for outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, hunting, skiing, trapping, and hiking. Combined, the two Pelican River Forest conservation easements achieve 55 percent of the governor’s Trillion Trees Pledge goal to conserve 125,000 acres of forestland by the end of 2030.

The DNR is coordinating the continued implementation of the Trillion Tree Pledge on behalf of the state of Wisconsin through partnerships with private nurseries. Of the 10.5 million trees planted in Wisconsin’s rural areas in 2024, private nurseries supplied an estimated 4.1 million trees to landowners for their planting projects in addition to the 6.4 million tree and shrub seedlings provided by the DNR for conservation planting efforts.

More information about the Trillion Trees Pledge, Wisconsin’s Tree Planting Map, the list of partners, and the full report of 2024 accomplishments is available here.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.