This newsletter is sent electronically (via email or fax)around the first of each month to state urban forestry program coordinators and Forest Service urban forestry staff. Please print or copy this newsletter and distribute it to volunteer coordinators, state council chairs, and other interested individuals within your state. You can always find it on-line at www.treelink.org

Submissions to this newsletter are welcomed, and in fact, requested. Items suitable for inclusion are regional and national urban forestry information, state events, products, or innovations that can be replicated by other states, personnel notes, and notices of regional and national urban forestry events. Please submit a maximum of two paragraphs by the 28th of the month for inclusion in the following month's edition.

Click here for Job Opportunities, Conferences and Calendar Items.

NEXT DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION: February 28, 2001

Compiled and Edited by:

Paula Rosenthal, Montana Dept. of Natural Resources
(prosenthal@state.mt.us) phone 406/542-4284

Phillip D. Rodbell, USDA Forest Service - Northeastern Area
(prodbell@fs.fed.us) phone (610) 975-4133

Pepper Provenzano, TreeLink.org
(pepper@treelink.org)

"I encourage all Texans to become stewards of their own environment by planting, maintaining, and protecting trees so that the benefits trees provide can continue to improve the quality of life that Texans enjoy."
Governor George W. Bush of Texas in his 2000 Arbor Day proclamation

NEWS NETWORK SEEKS CO-EDITOR

The State Coordinator News Network is seeking a new co-editor. We need a state program leader or volunteer coordinator with 8-hours of time each month that can be dedicated to compiling information that will further strengthen the network. Those of you who enjoy and see the value of this monthly communication need to step forward at this time to contribute more substantively. The content and format is open for modification by those with informed interest and commitment to communication.

Leading up to our 50-State meeting in Washington, D.C., this September, Pepper Provenzano and Phillip Rodbell hope to work with another willing state partner to generate more state news and exemplar efforts in urban and community forestry that will stimulate discussion and debate. It is our hope that state and community stories can be developed that spur more relevant traffic on URBNRNET, that further fuels the sharing and replication of model projects and results. It simply means that readers must be stimulated to craft two paragraphs, telling a brief story, for inclusion in the monthly news. Please contact Phillip if you are interested in working on the team: prodbell@fs.fed.us.

NEW PROGRAM AT UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

The University of Maryland at College Park has approved a new Urban Forestry Option in its Bachelor's Degree program for Natural Resources Management. It will be in the Fall 2001 catalog, but classes are available now. Because the curriculum uses a number of existing programs, the program will graduate a student two years from now. The Society of American Foresters has reviewed the program very favorably, and anticipates allowing the program to apply for candidate-level accreditation. This would make it the first Urban Forestry program to be accredited by SAF. It will not receive a separate category of accreditation, but be accredited as a Forestry program under existing guidelines. SAF is in the process of signing an agreement with the International Society of Arboriculture regarding evaluating such programs and working together on efforts that integrate Forestry and Arboriculture. For more information, contact Prof. Christopher Walsh, cw5@umail.umd.edu.

WHEN TREES BREAK SIDEWALKS, WHO PAYS?

Property owners in Brooklyn and Queens are pressing for City Council legislation, introduced by Council Member James Oddo, transferring responsibility for sidewalks broken by tree roots to the City. "Presently, sidewalks that abut property have to be maintained by owners", notes Joe Bernardo of Trees New York, "and when the roots of mature trees lift the walkways, the owners must pay for the repair. Many homeowners have chosen not to replace trees after being hit with an unexpected bill for sidewalk replacement." So the legislation could have the side effect of encouraging the planting of trees in neighborhoods where homeowners are watching their pennies. The combined population of Queens is over two million. For more information, contact Joe Bernardo at 212-227-1887 or http://www.treesny.com/.

FREE SEEDLINGS

The National Tree Trust, a non-profit tree planting organization, has a surplus of seedlings for distribution this spring through the Community Tree Planting Grant Program. A variety of species are available for every region of the United States. Seedlings will be ready for delivery now through April. The main requirements for the grant are as follows:

• Trees must be planted on public land
• Project must utilize volunteers for planting and maintaining seedlings
• Two years of annual reporting are required for each grant

URBAN FORESTRY RISES IN THE HIERARCHY

The USDA Forest Service Deputy Chief of State and Private Forestry, Michael Rains, has made the decision to fully implement the national Urban Natural Resource Strategy. In addition to the actions already accomplished, this includes the establishment of a separate Urban and Community Forestry Staff within the State & Private Forestry mission area (along with Fire & Aviation, Forest Health Protection, and Cooperative Forestry). This action will take place over the next three months. There are many steps to be taken in the coming months.

A vacancy announcement will be issued for an interdisciplinary, GS-15, Director of Urban & Community Forestry, reporting to the Deputy Chief's office. The new staff will primarily include the current UCF staff working in Cooperative Forestry. For more information, contact Peggy Harwood at pharwood@fs.fed.us.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

For job opportunities please visit the Tree Talk Bulletin Board.

International Society of Arboriculture-The ISA is seeking an individual to provide overall leadership, financial management and delivery of services and programs. Must have a minimum of 5 years job related experience serving in a managerial staff role or governing Board member of a non-profit organization and/or experience in overseeing and managing a multi-skilled workforce. Position requires sound and proven knowledge of financial and economic analyses, financial/budget planning, and managerial finance and risk management. Demonstrated commitment to working with an international customer base is essential. Also required are conflict management and problem solving skills, experience in relationship building, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and a down to earth leadership style. If you or someone you know is interested in this position, please submit resume to Mary Heideman no later than February 16. Email: tryonheideman@sprintmail.com.

State of Florida--The Florida Division of Forestry is presently seeking qualified professionals for the Urban Forestry Coordinator position within their Forest management Bureau. This is an Environmental Specialist II (Pay Grade 22) position, headquartered in the state office in Tallahassee and has state-wide responsibility for the coordination of such urban forestry programs as the USFS Urban & Community Forestry Grant and the National Arbor Day "Tree City USA" programs through the Division's 39 cooperative assistance (county) foresters. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the class of ES II to be considered. Preference criteria also include a minimum of three years experience, two with a Masters Degree in Forestry, in any two of the following areas: (1) Grants or Contract Administration, (2) Applied Arboriculture and/or (3) Urban Forestry. Inquiries may be made to Tom Gilpin, CFA Supervisor at (850) 414-9912 or gilpint@doacs.state.fl.us. Applications should be sent to his attention at 3125 Conner Blvd., Room 266, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1650.

GRANTS

Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Monitoring for Public Access and Community Tracking (EMPACT)-Deadline February 21, 2001.
The EMPACT program helps communities to bring people up-to-date environmental information they can understand and use in their day-to-day decision-making. Eligible projects may deal with clean air and water, lead assessment, and overall ecosystem assessments. Projects have included air quality tracking systems in Cleveland, OH, tracking water quality in Long Island Sound and reducing the risk of lead exposure.

Trees and forests have a role to play in all three of these examples. Approximately $4 million is available in 2001. Grants range up to $400,000. Local governments within the 156 identified metropolitan areas are eligible. Additional information is available online at www.epa.gov/empact. Contact Denise Shaw at 202-564-3220.

Office of Environmental Justice Small Grant Program-Deadline March 9, 2001:
The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial assistance to eligible community groups (i.e., community-based/grassroots organizations, churches, or other non-profit organizations) and federally recognized tribal governments that are working on or plan to carry out projects to address environmental justice issues. Preference awards will be given to community-based/grassroots organizations that are working on local solutions to local environmental problems. Funds can be used to develop a new activity or substantially improve the quality of existing programs that have a direct impact on affected communities. Info: Ronnie Harrington, USEPA Region 1 (SAA), 1 Congress Street--1100, Boston, MA 02203-000, Phone: (617) 918-1703.

Community Organizing Grant--Deadline: March 4, 2001.
The Needmor Foundation is looking to fund multi-use membership based community organizations in low and moderate-income communities that show promise for creating significant social change. The applications deadline is March 4, 2001. For more information contact The Needmor Fund at (303) 449-5801 or visit their web site at http://fdcenter.org/grantmaker/needmor/index.htm.

USDA Forest Service Urban Forestry Grants in the Northeastern Area--Pre-proposals Deadline: February 16, 2001.
USDA FS Northeastern Area is requesting Pre-proposals for urban and community forestry projects in two categories: Title VIII Projects (grant amount between $50,000 and $200,000) for city and metropolitan scale initiatives that highlight the structure and function of urban trees and forests; enhance the management and understanding of urban forests; mitigate the adverse affects of tree and forest loss; and to help urban forest managers in major cities transition from an emphasis on tree planting and removal to comprehensive urban forest management. Inner City Projects (grant amount between $25,000 and $75,000) for community based and driven urban forestry projects that benefit under-served or low-income communities, and build support for urban forest stewardship through specific on-site improvements to urban trees and forests. Application available at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/urban/TitleVIIIpreproposal.htm.

PUBLICATIONS

The UC Forest Products Laboratory has released a Vegetation Guide for Landscaping in High Fire Risk Areas, 1997. http://www.prefire.ucfpl.ucop.edu/.

The Center for Watershed Protection has a few new publications available. The Practice of Watershed Protection: Techniques for Protecting and Restoring Urban Watersheds--This reference contains 150 articles on all aspects of watershed protection. Drawn from past issues of Watershed Protection Techniques as well as a wealth of other papers and reports, this 800-page book is organized around the eight tools of watershed protection: Cost is $80. See www.cwp.org.

Urban Stream Restoration Practices: An Initial Assessment--This publication assesses the performance of 24 different urban stream restoration practices from sites around the Mid-Atlantic and Mid-west and provides recommendations for improving their application in a variety of urban stream environments. Price: $20.

Philadelphia Green - Urban Impact, http://www.libertynet.org/phs. Urban Impact is a newsletter created by Philadelphia Green, the urban greening program of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Urban Impact features articles on urban and neighborhood greening. The most recent issue looks at the values of greening in city neighborhoods, while the September issue focuses on the physical, social and economic value of high profile urban landscapes. Back issues can be found on the http://www.libertynet.org/phswebsite.

WEBSITES

Here is another piece of the Asian longhorned beetle outreach project. Click on the "Flash Animation" link. This presentation is currently the "featured link" on Ohio Division of Forestry website. Other slides will also be made available on the web later. http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/ODNR/Health/alb.htm

James Sim of UC Net has completed Phase I of the Urban Arboretum of University City web pages. These were financed by a matched grant to the University City Historical Society from the Pennsylvania Urban & Community Forestry Council, which also paid for the planting of some additional specimen trees along the UC Green Belt with the help of UC Green and a cadre of neighborhood volunteers. Phase II will see a revised and improved base map, subdivided into expanded details to permit additions of the total of 140 species of trees and shrubs located so far. His work can be seen at http://www.jsxnet.com/uauc/.

Tree Selection Website
Input site design specifics and uses and get a list of appropriate tree species: http://selectree.calpoly.edu/.

Check out www.chesapeakebayfromspace.net. Raw and composite Landsat scenes are available for down-loading as is other data.

CONFERENCES

For more conference dates and details please visit the Tree Talk Bulletin Board.

Hope VI Youth Conference

This conference is designed to get youth involved in the design of HOPE VI projects. Includes session on community space. More info on website http://www.ncced.org/.

Social Issues and the Environment is scheduled for March 6-8, 2001 at Lied Conference Center, Nebraska City, Nebraska. This conference is being designed to provide an exchange of information and an opportunity for community leaders to better understand the inter-relationship of societal and environmental issues. Presentations will focus on community gardens, urban greenspace improvement, neighborhood health assessments, environmental risk mapping, youth environmental clubs, and training for environmental service jobs and demonstrate the positive impact these projects can have on societal issues. For more information contact The National Arbor Day Foundation at (402) 474-5655 or conferences@arborday.org.

DATES

February 2001

March 2001