Budget Impacts Relevant to U&CF & Related Interests:

FY 2006 Allocation Proposal  [back to top]
In February, a Federal/State team reached agreement on recommendations to the Forest Service in a meeting on 2006 allocation methodology. These recommendations were sent to NASF and FS executive leadership for consideration before March 1, in advance of OMB and Congressional consideration by end of March. The facilitated meeting had one state forester and state coordinator from each of west, south, and north, along with federal coordinators and national program leadership, including Mark Buscaino and NASF committee chair Steve Sinclair and NASF executive director Anne Hiessenbuttal (17 people total).

Significantly, the group supported a methodology without having benefit of the numbers and ultimate impact on regional and state allocations. With little surprise, the group focused on population of communities achieving minimum performance elements, as the most equitable basis for performance allocation. The measures supported by the group include four improved definitions of inventories/management plans; ordinances/polices; professional staff; and local advisory/advocacy group. Communities achieving all four are "managing;" less than four, are called "developing." The combined populations of these communities receiving state assistance are proposed to make up State and regional allocations.

The group recommended a base of $200,000 for those states whose calculated allocation is less than that amount; i.e. their combined community population limits their ability to compete for greater amounts of federal funds. The formula is proposed to be phased in over three years with 10-percent limit on annual reductions, unless appropriated national funds decline at a faster rate.

The improved definitions of performance elements will be published soon, along with fresh advice to states for tracking them this fiscal year. Those present for the three-day meeting obviously felt this methodology provided the most equitable basis for allocating limited federal funds. At the same time, the group agreed that setting and achieving targets of population and communities engaged in program activities will likely elevate awareness of program benefits and the value of continued federal and state investment.

National Partnership Meeting  [back to top]
On Feb. 6-8, in Washington, DC, a second meeting of national nonprofits groups was convened by the US Forest Service. The group now defines itself as "a coalition to advance a unified urban forest agenda for our nation's communities." The near-term convener will be National Tree Trust, which, with leadership provided by a steering committee, will initiate a united push to advocate for the 2006 Forest Service UCF and Research budget. For more information and list of participating members, contact Michelle Harvey at mharvey @ nationaltreetrust.org or visit http://www.nationaltreetrust.org/nc_index.cfm

Conservation Education (from National Alliance for Community Trees)  [back to top]
The Forest Service has provided and supported education about natural resources since its creation as an agency in 1905. The agency recently completed an analysis of the Conservation Education program (CE) that resulted in several recommendations based on the value of CE to the Forest Service in enhancing agency credibility as a science-based natural resource management agency and in educating the public about the value of natural resources in order to promote a conservation ethic and connect people to the land. Recommendation included: reinvigorating the CE program to focus on pre-K through 12th grade and their educators, both formal and non-formal; and developing closer ties and strengthening partnerships with Research and Development, Interpretive Services and the Office of Communications. They also recommended the development of a five-year strategic plan for CE to incorporate and direct the implementation of these recommendations. This plan will be developed together with key internal and external program partners, as well as representatives from field units. In addition, the Forest Service will be advertising the director and deputy director positions for CE in the coming months.

USDA Forest Service Celebrates its Centennial  [back to top]
The Department of Agriculture's Forest Service celebrated its 100 years with a historic Centennial Congress on Monday, Jan. 3. More than 500 delegates attended the four-day summit, which initiated a national dialogue on the critical challenges facing America's forests. USDA's Centennial Congress commemorated the landmark 1905 American Forest Congress, which led to the creation of the agency. Like that 1905 meeting, the Centennial Congress convened congressional leaders, state and local government representatives, key governors, industry and conservation organizations, leading academicians, and a host of other stakeholders to examine where the agency has been and where it's going in its new century of service.

"The 1905 American Forest Congress initiated a century of change in managing public forests and grasslands by introducing a new conservation ethic and a work force to carry it out," said Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. "This Centennial Congress provides a foundation for similar contributions by the agency and fosters a collective commitment to conservation in our next 100 years."

In addition to a thorough assessment of challenges and opportunities on forests and rangelands, delegates also examined how the 21st Century Forest Service can meet the needs of present and future generations. To learn more, visit http://www.natlforests.org/centennial.

'Green Highway' Certification Promoted By Transportation, Environmental Agencies  [back to top]
State and federal officials have begun work to advance a notion that some may consider an oxymoron -- environmentally friendly highways. Agencies are working to develop national criteria for "Green Highway" certification that would label a highway project as sustainable and environmentally sound. The initiative is another step in a long-standing effort to promote environmental stewardship for highway projects and programs. The program is being promoted by the Federal Highway Administration, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and the Environmental Protection Agency. EPA, FHWA, and AASHTO will sponsor a green highway forum this fall to gather input and best practices that could be used in developing criteria for certification. According to a brochure, the forum will gather information regarding additional projects, initiatives or activities that "weave together the environmental regulatory requirements with ecosystem protection and community preservation activities to create a sustainable approach to achieving safe and efficient transportation systems." The forum is scheduled for Sept. 26-29, 2005, in College Park, Md. More information on the forum is available on the web at http://www.wetlandsworkgroup.org/GreenHighways/Green%20Highways.htm.

Forest Health News  [back to top]
Emerald Ash Borer in Ohio
The ash-tree quarantine was widened to include the large majority of Lucas County, as well as portions of Wood County, in order to prevent the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer beetle. http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050215/NEWS06/50215054/-1/NEWS

Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Fred L. Dailey announced a change in the stateŐs Emerald Ash Borer quarantine that now prohibits the movement of all non-coniferous firewood out of regulated areas in Ohio and Michigan. The regulatory change will help prevent further spread of the destructive exotic pest, originally from Asia.

National Urban Forest Assessment Task Force Named  [back to top]
In response to the National Association of State ForestersŐ resolution to explore establishing a national continuous urban forest assessment, the Forest Service has announced the members of a task force that will be charged to:

1. Evaluate current urban forest inventory efforts,
2. Investigate a national continuous urban forest inventory and assessment protocol,
3. Propose an implementation strategy, and
4. Recommend a funding method.

Task force members represent various regions and affiliations and include: Bill Burkman, Mark Buscaino, Ralph Campbell, Anne Cumming, Susan Ford, Michael Galvin, Sarah Griffith, Dudley Hartel, David Nowak, Greg Reams, Dick Rideout, Kimberly Angeline Rowe, Charles Scott, Steven Scott, Steve Sinclair, Borys Tkacz, Daniel Twardus, and Bruce Webster. Members will be participating in conference calls, work assignments and meetings with the goal of presenting a preliminary report to the State Foresters at their meeting next fall.

Grant Opportunitie$  [back to top]

EPA Updates Funding Directory for Environmental Projects
There is a federal grant opportunity clearing house available on the web. www.Grants.gov allows organizations to electronically find and apply for competitive grant opportunities from all Federal grant-making agencies. Grants.gov is the single access point for over 900 grant programs offered by the 26 Federal grant-making agencies. A very helpful feature of this website is the ability to register your e-mail address to receive electronic notification of grant opportunities as they arise.

Publications & Websites  [back to top]

Is Your City Going Gray? See "Going Green"
Today we have the knowledge to re-invent our cities to grow both economically and environmentally. Now we have the technology to share that knowledge. Produced by Compass Rose Media, "Going Green" is a 12-minute multimedia production (also available in CD) that combines cutting edge content, creative, and technology to deliver a compelling message to leaders/planners/architects/arborists and anyone in the trenches.

"Going Green" shows how and why communities include forests in sustainable growth strategies. This communications outreach tool is designed to accompany local presentations and increase public and private support for urban and community forests. Downloadable on TreeLink at http://www.treelink.org.

Green Infrastructure Database Offers Natural Connections
To gain a comprehensive picture of the Chicago region's natural resources, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and the Openlands Project created Natural Connections: Green Infrastructure in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. Natural Connections is a database of the green infrastructure---the interconnected network of open spaces and natural areas that provides wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities---covering 14 counties extending out from the greater Chicago region, including the counties bordering the Wisconsin-Illinois and Illinois-Indiana state lines. The data, all 170+ layers of it, was attained from more than 60 local, state, and federal agencies, as well as private land trusts and conservation groups. All of it is available in a series of maps on the website. The maps highlight the many opportunities that exist for cross-border conservation and restoration efforts. http://www.greenmapping.org/

Urban Canopy Goals
The proceedings from an Urban Canopy Conference held in May 2004 are now available along with Guidelines for Implementing the Chesapeake Bay Urban Tree Canopy Goal that were developed last October. Learn more at www.chesapeake.org/stac/pubs/wrkshops/UTCReport.pdf for the proceedings and http://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/Guidelines_for_Urban_Tree_Canopy_Goals_11_2004.pdf.

Urban Heat Islands
The presentations from a series of urban workshops are now available at http://www.hotcities.org/workshops/ Links to the presentations are embedded in the agenda at the bottom of each city page.

Top 10 Picks for Urban Forest
WoodNotes Quarterly e-zine lists 10 great community forestry resources, including: 11 Simple Steps for Working the Press; A Conservation Design Resource Manual; the NeighborWoods Guidebook, JobLink and more, all free at www.treelink.org

Free Urban Forestry Webcast CDs Available
LGEAN, in cooperation with American Forests, hosted a webcast in May 2004 called "Seeing Green with Trees: The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Urban Forests." The webcast demonstrated how trees have been used by local governments to meet environmental regulatory requirements, save money, and improve community quality of life. A multimedia CD recording of that webcast is now available at http://www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=853.

Backyard Woods Manual
Backyard Woods was launched on Feb. 25, 2005 when the National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF) sent out its March-April newsletter. NADF has 47,000 copies of the full-color 44-page guide. NADF will distribute the guide and 12 tip sheets to individuals for a price of $4.95 plus shipping and handling, and to natural resources professionals, businesses, and organizations at a reduced cost of $1 per guide in boxes of 100 for workshops, conferences, and distribution to landowners. You can get them on the Web at www.arborday.org/backyardwoods . Arbor Day will use the proceeds from guide sales to reprint guides and tip sheets and continue to promote and market the program.

UtiliTrees
Trees worthy of the UtiliTrees^TM designation are those best suited for planting in the restricted zone between street and sidewalk and beneath utility lines. All mature at heights that are unlikely to tangle with overhead lines. Pedestrian-friendly branching is compact or vase-shaped to allow for pruning without destroying the shape of the tree. Disease and pest resistant, these cultivars are tolerant of varied soils, climates and urban growing conditions, and require minimal maintenance. To learn more, visit http://www.jfschmidt.com/utilist.html

Livable Communities and Urban Forests
The Local Government Commission's Center for Livable Communities is offering this free publication. The 4-page fact sheet includes discussions on the economic, environmental, and public health and safety benefits of trees in communities. Benefits for each topic are described succinctly and can be used as talking points for community meetings or civic organization presentations. Tips on how local governments and organizations can improve the tree canopy in their communities are included, as well as resources for further information. 4 pages (671 kb); available online at http://www.lgc.org/freepub/PDF/Energy/livcomm_urban_forests.pdf.

The Man Who Planted Trees.
Chelsea Green is publishing a twentieth anniversary edition of the classic fable, The Man Who Planted Trees, by Jean Giono. As a way to help tree planting, nature, and other environmental organizations raise money for their causes, Chelsea Green is offering a substantial pre-publication discount on the book. Chelsea Green will donate a portion of the proceeds from sales of the book to tree planting organizations. For more information, contact Minda Kauffman at mkauffman @ chelseagreen.com

Job Opportunities  [back to top]

Visit the TreeLink jobs page at http://treelink.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=3 for a variety of employment opportunities.

Continuing Education  [back to top]

Visit the current Calendar of Events at www.treelink.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 on TreeLink.