This electronic newsletter is published bi-monthly for state and federal urban forestry program coordinators and other interested individuals. Please print or copy this newsletter and distribute it to volunteer coordinators, state council chairs, and other interested individuals within your state or region, or forward it electronically to them. You can always find it on-line and archived at www.treelink.org.
Submissions to this newsletter are welcome and requested. Items suitable for inclusion are state and national urban forestry information, products or innovations, grant opportunities, and notices of regional and national urban forestry events. Please submit a maximum of two paragraphs to the editorial committee listed below by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month's edition.
The UCF Coordinators Newsletter is compiled and edited by:
Ed Macie, USDA Forest Service - Southern Region
(emacie@fs.fed.us) phone 404-347-1647
Dick Rideout, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
(richard.rideout@dnr.state.wi.us) phone 608-267-0843
Paul D. Ries, Oregon Department of Forestry
(pries@odf.state.or.us) phone 503-945-7391
Phillip D. Rodbell, USDA Forest Service - Northeastern Area
(prodbell@fs.fed.us) phone 610-557-4133
Pepper Provenzano, TreeLink
(pepper@treelink.org)
NEXT DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION: June 20, 2005
"This is our little part to help [American chestnut] come back. Our message to fellow citizens: Plant trees - it's good for the economy and it's good for the environment."
-- President George W. Bush planting a disease-resistant American chestnut
on the White House grounds for Arbor Day 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Maryland Watersheds
Baltimore County is setting an example for local governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed on how forest sustainability can be integrated as a major component of county policy and TMDL implementation. Because it was selected as the first urban/suburban jurisdiction in the country to be included as a local pilot for the USFS project Linking Communities to the Montreal Process, Criteria and Indicators, it connects the ability for forests to be sustained over the long-term not only for water quality and other key environmental reasons, but also for social and economic health. The Linking Communities project is also the first initiative of the "Green Renaissance" proposal of the County Executive, James T. Smith, Jr., which includes efforts to protect local waterways and drinking water, implement development laws and standards, new grant programs, and a program to encourage homeowners to plant native trees. For more information, contact Sally Claggett, sclaggett @fs.fed.us
Maryland Street Trees
With critical and persistent support of the Maryland Community Forestry Council and other program partners, the state legislature passed and enrolled a bill altering the definition of "tree expert" to require a person who trims, prunes, thins, cables, shapes, removes, or reduces the crown of trees to be licensed and subject to regulation by the Department of Natural Resources. The bill also established that specific persons are cannot be considered experts. This is a milestone effort that become laws effective 10/1/05 after the governor's signature. For more information, contact Mike Galvin, mgalvin @dnr.state.md.us, or visit http://mlis.state.md.us/2005rs/billfile/hb0168.htm.
Florida Division of Forestry to Offer Re-Leaf to Local Communities
It will take us all awhile to forget the widespread damage caused by the four Florida hurricanes of 2004. An estimated 173 Florida communities received hurricane force winds (some as many as three times), destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The damage to the trees in these communities, however, did not receive as much attention. The loss of tree cover has created a number of negative consequences, including decreased property values and tourism appeal, increased storm water runoff, loss of shade and energy conservation benefits, and degraded air quality. The Division of Forestry has recognized the need to help impacted communities revitalize their urban forests, which include trees in developed areas and public parks. Smaller communities, in particular, need additional resources to assist with this effort. To accomplish this goal, the Division has obtained funds from the US Forest Service to provide 75% matching grants to local communities throughout Florida. Potential applicants can find copies of the Request for Proposal and additional information about the Urban Forestry Hurricane grants on the Division's website, www.fl-dof.com, under the Forest Management section.
Minnesota Launches New Website
Tree experts from across Minnesota have joined forces to create a new resource for answering all questions about how to grow and care for trees in the state. From basic tree identification to the proper way to prune or trim a tree, residents can find answers to questions as well as links to other great resources, including all of the organizations that support the website. Please visit at www.MNtrees.org
Urban Forestry on NPR
Oregon's UCF program recently organized and led a tour for the state Board of Forestry and other interested individuals. Forty-five participants viewed the successful results of grant projects and discussed current urban forestry issues. A National Public Radio reporter attended part of the tour and filed a report, which is a MP3 file playable with software such as iTunes or RealPlayer. http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/opb/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=766687
NUCFAC Report by Neil Letson, Alabama State Urban Forestry Coordinator [back to top]
Beginning this year, I am starting my three-year term on the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) as "your" state government representative. This is both an honor and opportunity that I accept with humility. I also accept the great responsibility that goes with this position. No time in my 26-year state government career have I seen urban and community forestry face so many exciting yet difficult challenges as it does today. There is too much at stake for any of us not to be involved at some level. Because I believe NUCFAC is important to our nation's urban and community forestry program, I want to use this short time to be a constructive advocate for you and your state's communities. I would be remiss if I didn't thank Teresa Madriaga-Trueman for the terrific job she did representing state government interests on our behalf while on NUCFAC the past six years. I've seen her in action and she is a dedicated professional. Her straightforward approach to urban forestry issues is an inspiration to me and one I hope to follow.
As I approach this responsibility, I will strive to be your voice on national issues that affect people living in America's towns and cities. It is my strongest opinion that the strength and success of our country's many community tree programs is largely due to the work and commitment of people in state government agencies and departments who encourage and direct local communities toward action. Over the course of my term on NUCFAC, I plan to use this column to keep you up to date on council activities. Already there are several emerging issues, including revising the 10-year action plan, setting new criteria for the Challenge Cost-Share Program, and responding to Congressional directives regarding the U&CF Financial Assistance Program. My simple request is for your support and your feedback. Together, we can help make our nation's communities better for people through trees.
Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition [back to top]
In February 2005, representatives of public, private, and not for profit national organizations involved in urban forestry met in Washington, DC. Participants included the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT); American Forests; American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA); American Planning Association (APA); American Society of Landscape Architects; Davey Resource Group; International City/County Management Association (ICMA); International Society of Arboriculture (ISA); National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF); National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD); National Association of State Foresters (NASF); National Tree Trust (NTT); National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC); Society of American Foresters (SAF) UCF Working Group; Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA); TreeLink; US Conference of Mayors; USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program; and the Utility Arborists Association (UAA).
The meeting participants voted to form a national coalition - the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition - to advance a unified urban forest agenda for our nation's communities. The Coalition views urban forests as the aggregate of all vegetation and green spaces within communities that provide benefits vital to enriching the quality of life.
Participants identified two external projects to be completed in 2005: making the Coalition known, and supporting FY 2006 federal appropriations for urban forests. A five-person Interim Committee will work with the Coalition convener in 2005 to implement external projects and advance internal organizational and structural goals. The February 2005 meeting report can be found at http://www.nationaltreetrust.org/nc_index.cfm?cid=130000 For more information, contact Michelle Harvey, MHarvey @NationalTreeTrust.org
National Tree Trust Turns Out the Lights [back to top]
On April 11, 2005, the National Tree Trust announced that its final grant will go to the National Arbor Day Foundation (NADF). The last $5 million will assure that its mission is kept alive through the continuing work of NADF. These funds will be used to support organizational development of community based nonprofit groups so that they can continue to inspire people to plant, protect and maintain community trees. The transition will be complete by the end of August, but existing contracts will run into 2006. For further information please visit the National Tree Trust website at www.nationaltreetrust.org or the Arbor Day Foundation site at www.arborday.org.
The Home Depot Foundation Invests in Community Forestry [back to top]
In an effort to raise awareness about the economic, environmental, and health benefits of urban forests, The Home Depot Foundation announced on Arbor Day 2005 that it will award grants totaling nearly $1 million to three leading nonprofit community forestry organizations: National Alliance for Community Trees, The National Arbor Day Foundation, and American Forests. These grants will assist these organizations to restore urban and rural forests and create healthier natural areas and a better environment for communities.
The Home Depot Foundation was created in 2002 to further the community building goals of the The Home Depot by providing additional resources to assist nonprofit organizations building affordable, efficient and healthy homes throughout the United States and Canada. The Home Depot Foundation administers grant-making programs in the areas of "Affordable Housing, Built Responsibly" and "Healthy Community and Wildland Forests". Since its formation, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $15 million to nonprofit and government organizations throughout North America.
NUCFAC Recommends Projects for 2005 Funds [back to top]
The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council recommended 14 projects and 13 projects were selected for funding by the Forest Service to award as Federal Financial Assistance Grants under the 2005 Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program:
"Honoring Mother Earth: Engaging Native Americans in Community Reforestation" submitted by Trees, Water, and People, CO.
"Methodology for Using General Plans to Classify Trees as Capitol Assets" submitted by Goleta Valley Beautiful, CA.
"Talking Trees: Integrating Urban Forestry into Local Government's Sustainability and Emissions Reduction Initiatives" submitted by ICLEI Ð Local Governments for Sustainability, CA.
"Creating Change with Science: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Urban Forestry Technology Transfer" submitted by the University of Washington.
"Bare Rooting - Removing Soil and Substrate from Root Balls at Planting" submitted by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
"Assessing Preferences for and Attributes towards Urban Forests in Suburban Communities" submitted by Auburn University.
"The Forest in Our Backyard" submitted by Soundprint Media Center, Inc., MD
"An Analysis of Street Tree Planting Mortality and Survival in New York City" submitted by City Parks Foundation.
"Trees Are Good For Cities Model" submitted by Delaware Center for Horticulture
"The Urban Forest: A Contributor to Physical Activity Levels in the Built Environment?" submitted by Iowa State University.
"Online Urban Forestry Images" submitted by University of Minnesota.
"Planting Trees, Growing Human Capital" submitted by the University of Illinois
"Determining the Fate of PM 2.5 Particles Following Capture by Leaves" submitted by Cornell University.
Agroforestry Center Moves South [back to top]
The National Agroforestry Center (NAC) in Lincoln, NE has been transferred to the Southern Research Station in Asheville, NC. Chief Dale Bosworth announced that this realignment would better position the NAC to garner national support, and to adjust to the recent reorganization of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Up until this year the NAC was funded by both federal agencies.
Emerald Ash Borer Roundup [back to top]
EAB Treatment Recommendations for Homeowners
Visit the website below for the latest information from Michigan State
University regarding EAB treatment options for homeowners.
http://www.emeraldashborer.info/files/eabhomeownerguide.pdf
New Strategies To Stop Emerald Ash Borer
--Great Lakes Radio Consortium - MI, USA Scientists and government officials are focusing on what they call "gateway areas" in their fight to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. The Great Lakes Radio Consortium's Erin Toner reports:
http://glrc.org/story.php3?story_id=2623
Executive Leadership Training
In partnership with the Institute for Conservation Leadership, National Tree Trust will be offering an Executive Leadership Training in 2005 and 2006 for executive directors of nonprofit organizations working to build healthy urban and community forests. Executive Directors and their board members will have an opportunity to assess their needs and develop skills, including how to:
Executive Directors who participate in this training are making a year-long commitment and as such will be required to attend both trainings and actively participate in the follow up coaching and facilitation. Additionally, one board member of each participating organization will be expected to attend training in April 2006.
Tuition for the Executive Director Leadership Training is $500 per organization. All room and board expenses will be covered by NTT for the Executive Director and one Board member from each organization. Applications for travel reimbursement for airfare and ground transportation will be made available after both trainings.
If you know of an organization or Executive Director who would benefit from this training, please encourage them to contact NTT Program Manager Dan Poux for an application at 800-846-8733 (ext. 31) or dpoux @nationaltreetrust.org.
WoodNotes Quarterly
Please visit the spring edition of WoodNotes Quarterly at http://www.treelink.org:
Desert City Sets Planning Precedence
Tucson Hires Urban Landscape Manager (kudos to Joan and Irene!)
Power Struggle: Trees in Utility Lines (a definitive study)
By Bonnie Appleton, Susan French and Brends Johnson-Asnicar
Book Reviews: Spring Into Summer Reading
Compiled by Sherri Vance (TreeLink board member)
The Proper Way to Plant a Tree
Courtesy of Maryland Department of Natural Resources
How Well Do We Assess Tree Risk Due to Decay?
By Brian Kane and Dennis Ryan
NASA's Worldwind
A new service available through the NASA website offers 3-d rendering of the globe -- type in location, zoom from outer space seamlessly into an image, which can be draped over the elevation for a 3-d look at any location on earth! Vist http://worldwind.arc.nasa.gov
Western Center Newsletter
Top story - "Replace field surveys with AVIRIS infrared imagery. Can we?"
Visit JobLink at
for a variety of employment opportunities.
http://treelink.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=3
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2005 Top |
|
|
May 23-25 |
Urban Wildlife Management National Conference Location:
Nebraska City, NE Event Type:
Conference Program: UCF |
|
June 28-30 |
National Urban and
Community Forestry Advisory Council Meeting |
|
August 7 - 10 |
International Society
of Arboriculture Annual Meeting - 2005 |
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October 19 - 23 |
Society of American
Foresters National Convention - 2005 |
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November 17-18 Paper submittals by November 30, 2004 |
2005 National Urban Forest Conference Location: Charlotte, NC Event
Type: Conference Program:
UCF
|
Visit the current Calendar of Events at www.treelink.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 on TreeLink.