Congrats Shirley!

At our December Tree Farm Committee meeting we celebrated the retirement of our long-time Tree Farm Administrator Shirley Bargander.    Shirley previously retired from the Wisconsin DNR Division of Forestry years ago but stayed active in Tree Farm.  She was dedicated to the Tree Farm program throughout her time in the Division and especially after retirement.  In fact, Shirley first became a Certified Tree Farm Inspector in 1985!  In 2004 she took a more active role with the Wisconsin Tree Farm Committee on its' Recognition Sub-Committee.  She was elected WTFC Vice-chair and then WTFC Chair until 2015 when she became the Wisconsin Tree Farm Administrator.   

As Administrator, Shirley was a huge champion for the Tree Farm program, its private forest landowner engagement and the recognition of private forest landowners who are implementing sustainable forestry on their wooded properties.  In this role she engaged with her counterparts in other states and with the National Tree Farm Program staff, always promoting Wisconsin's program and bringing back new ideas to grow the program in Wisconsin. 

Shirley worked to promote and continue the partnership between WI DNR and the WI Tree Farm Committee.  She saw the win-win when WTFC and DNR Forestry worked together.  Each year she coordinated and promoted the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year recognition award to not only our traditional Tree Farmers but also to Tree Farms enrolled in the DNR’s MFL Program. Shirley was integral to planning this field day and the silent auction that raised hundreds of dollars each year to help fund our Tree Farm program.

Shirley showed time and time again her passion for getting foresters excited to work with private landowners and her passion for recognizing Wisconsin’s wonderful tree farmers, dedicated landowners engaged in sustainably managing their woodlands!