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 to Pam Louks by the 20th of the month for inclusion in the following month's edition.

NEXT DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION: August 20, 2001

Compiled and Edited by:

Pamela Louks, Indiana Department of Natural Resources
(plouks@dnr.state.in.us) phone (317) 915-9390

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

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

"Municipal stinginess is the bad news on the urban forestry front during the past few years. The good news is an enormous burst of volunteer activism that has gone a long way toward making up for it."

Governing Magazine, June 2001
article by Alan Ehrenhalt

"In Anaheim, Calif., which experienced a one-hour blackout March 19, requests for saplings from Anaheim Public Utilities' 9-year-old program soared 50% to 565 in May and June compared with the same months in 2000. In nearby Riverside, applications for $25 rebates for nursery-bought trees have "more than doubled" since March, Lynn Scott of Riverside Public Utilities says."

USA Today, July 24
By Martin Kasindorf

State Coordinators News

STATE OF THE STATES

August questions - Check the pulse of your council. How is it doing? Is it a partner with the state or does the state manage it? What is your council up to?   [back to top]

Alabama Council Action
The AL Urban Forestry Association has developed flyers - Urban Forestry News for Communities - that are distributed to mayors and community officials in an effort to make them more aware of UF events, such as grant opportunities and regional workshops. Each issue has contact information for urban foresters/city horticulturists in communities to make it easy for a city official to contact a professional when tree questions arise, and may encourage communities to hire a professional when they see that neighboring communities have one and they don't!

Indiana Teen Tree Stewards
Indiana has initiated a new Teen Tree Steward class. The class was adapted from the Indiana Community Tree Steward course from 18 hours to 8 hours. The CUF program organizers worked with the Indiana PLT organizers to formulate an agenda to maximize the learning experience. The teens ages 14-18 learn the basics about tree care, urban forestry, and affecting change through local government. The first group from the city of Carmel has begun work with their local city forester and tree board. The second group that has gone through the training was from the Juvenile Detention Center of the Indiana School for Girls. The eleven students and their horticulture instructor say they look forward to "saving some of the trees" on their grounds from construction damage, and cleaning up around some of the others. Both groups were eager to make a difference in their communities. For more information, contact Ashley Mulis, CUF Volunteer Coordinator, amulis@dnr.state.in.us.

New York Bike Guards Love Trees
Funded by a NUCFAC grant, Trees New York held a competition to develop prototype designs for tree friendly bike guards. With 80+ submissions, there was almost no repetition of ideas. The July issue of Metropolis Magazine was to highlight a few of the designs. Trees New York has almost settled on a manufacturer. After that, they will pilot them in different areas of the city. They also have a long list of people who want to buy them! The income will help fund the organization's programs. For more information, contact Leslie@treesny.com or http://web.gsuc.cuny.edu/che/competition.htm.

Stormwater Management and Urban Forestry  [back to top]

By Walter Passmore, Assistance Forester, Mississippi Forestry Commission
Contributor: Rick Olson, MS Forestry Commission, 301 N. Lamar St., Suite 300, Jackson, MS 39201, 601/359-285

Mississippi communities are faced with an upcoming unfunded mandate from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2003, certain communities (based on current and projected population density) are required to develop a management plan, which outlines specific stormwater mitigation practices. The plan must be approved by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

Fortunately, urban forestry practices can satisfy many stormwater mitigation requirements. In fact, trees, greenspace, and other natural systems have been effectively managing stormwater water since long before the advent of concrete ditches. Natural systems are effective water managers that can reduce peak flows and stabilize base flows. The basic components of natural systems can be enhanced by managing evapo-transpiration, infiltration, and stormwater flow.

Evapo-transpiration
Trees are amazingly effective at catching and processing water through the process of evapo-transpiration. A recent study by the U.S. Forest Service showed that a 28-foot-tall tree intercepted 58.1 gallons or 68% of a 0.5-inch rain event that fell within its crown area. If we conclude that every space without tree canopy contributes at least 58.1 gallons (larger trees process larger amounts) for a similar rain event, we can see the dramatic influence of trees on the volume of stormwater that must be processed. Following a rain event and the initial interception, wind and increasing temperature cause transpiration in the tree to increase, moving water from the ground through the roots and up to the leaves where much is evaporated back to the atmosphere. This process removes water from the saturated ground, further reducing the transfer to streams or stormwater control systems.

Infiltration of water into the ground during a storm is important not only for reducing the amount of water entering stormwater systems, but also for recharging deep aquifers that most people depend on for drinking water. Trees aid this process by the canopy slowing the impact of water on the ground, dropped leaves and limbs reducing flow across the ground, and roots increasing soil porosity. Infiltration occurs at much higher rates in areas with trees and greenspace than in areas with impervious surfaces such as buildings, roads, and parking lots. By utilizing trees in strategic locations, flow from impervious surfaces can be managed. Buffer zones for streams have been shown to be one of the most effective methods of reducing water pollution and sedimentation to streams. A recent study completed by the University of Southern Mississippi showed that forest cover over a local stream moderated stream temperature variation and conductivity (an estimate of dissolved pollutants).

Stormwater Flow
Flow of water is critical in designing systems that can tolerate the base amount and the peak. Trees and the associated vegetation lessen the peak flow (the maximum amount a stormwater system must handle) by evapo-transpiration and infiltration. Due to the slowing of water movement by trees, peak flow is delayed and dispersed over a longer period of time than in areas of impervious surface. The use of trees, greenspace, infiltration areas, natural landforms, and other natural systems reduces the need for expensive, man-made stormwater structures and supplies multiple other benefits to the community. Incorporating natural systems into stormwater management plans makes sense financially and environmentally.

ON THE NATIONAL FRONT

Congressional Recess Begins August 3rd  [back to top]

Both the House and Senate will be on recess from August 4 through September 4. This is a great time to look for your member of congress in their home districts. We encourage visits and invitations to inform them how their funding decisions have made a difference back home.

Appropriation's Subcommittee Action  [back to top]

The FY 2002 House Interior Subcommittee action for the State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Mission Area programs took place on June 6, 2001. Full House Committee action took place on June 14. The Senate Action was completed on June 29, 2001.

• The State and Private Forestry Program Mission Area has been decreased by $495,804,000 from the current level -- $425,063,000 of this amount is the Emergency Fire Contingency. Emergencies are to be funded in a separate national account by the administration.
• Forest Health Management has been decreased by $9,105,000 over the current program level. The Emergency Contingency fund has not been provided for in the House Action.
• The Forest Stewardship Program has been increased by $159,000 over the current program and the Urban and Community Forestry Program has been increased by $358,000 over the current level.
• The Forest Legacy Program at $60,000,000 is maintained at about the current year level.
• The Stewardship Incentives Program includes $8,000,000. The program has not been funded since 1998.

• The State and Private Forestry Program Mission Area has been decreased by $608,442,000 from the current level -- $425,063,000 of this amount is the Emergency Fire Contingency. Emergencies are to be funded in a separate national account by the administration.
• Forest Health Management has been decreased by $9,702,000 over the current program level. The Emergency Contingency fund has not been provided for in the Senate Action.
• The Forest Stewardship Program has been increased by $486,000 over the current program and the Urban and Community Forestry Program has been increased by $358,000 over the current level.
• The Forest Legacy Program at $65,000,000 is increased by $5,132,000 over the current year level.
• The Stewardship Incentives Program does not include funding in the Senate Action.

• Funded at $36,000,000; an increase of $358,000 over the current program.
• $250,000 for the Northeast Pennsylvania community forestry program.
• $200,000 for the National Tree Trust's Champion Tree Project.

• Funded at $36,000,000; an increase of $358,000 over the current program.
• $50,000 for the West Virginia urban and community forestry partnership coordinator.
• $700,000 for the Chicago Wilderness program.
• $450,000 for the Cook County Forest Preserve for environmental and technical work.

House Committee Adopts CARA  [back to top]

The House Resources Committee passed the Conservation and Reinvestment Act (CARA), which would provide $3 billion each year for certain conservation programs. CARA would automatically use $3 billion annually in outer continental shelf oil and gas drilling revenues for the Land and Water Conservation Fund ($900 million), coastal state impact assistance ($1 billion) and other park programs. The measure also fully funds the payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) program. Several Representatives offered a variety of amendments supported by property rights advocates seeking to restrict funding for federal land acquisition and to sunset the bill early. However, these amendments were defeated in the Committee markup. The bill (H.R. 701) is expected to go to the House floor for a vote after the August recess. Last year, the House approved a similar CARA bill, but the Senate never brought its version to the floor. The House Resources Committee's web site has a summary of the bill at http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/press/2001/2001_0725carapassescommittee.htm.

House Committee Passes Farm Bill with Forestry Funding  [back to top]

The House Agriculture Committee approved a $73.5 billion version of a new Farm Bill. The bill (H.R. 2646) prescribes how $73.5 billion of roughly $190 billion in the 2002 Farm Bill will be spent over the next 10 years. The remainder of the money will be used for ongoing programs. The bill would reauthorize most of the conservation programs in the 1996 Farm Bill at similar or higher levels than the previous law. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), would see the biggest hike in funding at six times its usual funding to an annual spending level of $1.2 billion. Two of the biggest changes for the Forestry Title of the Farm Bill include combining FIP and SIP into one cost-share program called the Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP) and the modification of the Renewable Resources Extension Act by creating the Sustainable Forestry Outreach Initiative. The Outreach Initiative serves to educate private forest landowners on the value and benefits of practicing sustainable forestry and the importance of professional forestry advice in achieving their sustainable forestry objectives. The Committee chose to fund the FLEP program at $15 million per year, using mandatory spending. If the bill passes, this would be the first time Congress funded a forestry program with mandatory funding. The Forestry title includes most of SAF's priorities. A news release with a summary and specific information about the Farm Bill are available on the House Agriculture's web site at http://agriculture.house.gov/farmbill.htm.

New Bill Introduced  [back to top]

Representative Ron Kind-WI, introduced the Working Lands Stewardship Act of 2001 in the House of Representatives on June 28, 2001. Its purpose is "To promote the conservation and preservation of working farms, ranches and private forests." The bill would provide incentive payments and technical assistance to landowners. Title V (page 38 of the bill) is a forestry title. It contains provisions for a Forest Stewardship Program and an Urban and Community Forestry Program. Section 502 is the UCF section. Principally it increases authorization for appropriation of up to $100,000,000 (not an appropriation, only authorization). If you would like to look at the entire Act on the web, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov and then search for H.R.2375.

Senate Passes the Tropical Forest Conservation Act  [back to top]

The Senate passed the Tropical Forest Conservation Act (HR 2131), or "debt-for-nature" act, which extends offers to developing countries to ease their debt to the U.S. in exchange for work on restoring and protecting tropical rain forests. The bill would authorize $225 million over three years. You can read the bill by going to http://thomas.loc.gov and performing a search by bill number using HR 2131.

EMPLOYMENT  [back to top]

For job opportunities please visit the Tree Talk Bulletin Board.

GRANTS $$$$  [back to top]

Kmart Fund for Kids & Kmart Fund for Communities
Deadline: Applications Reviewed Monthly
Kmart Fund for Kids supports nonprofit organizations that help children live happier, healthier lives. The Kmart Fund for Communities is designed to support the nonprofit organizations in Kmart store communities nationwide with preference given to organizations that involve Kmart associate volunteer activities. Visit website for application and more information. www.kmartcorp.com/corp/community/funds/index.stm

Belvedere Fund - Grants for Grassroots Environmental Groups
Deadline: Open
The Belvedere Fund is dedicated to helping state and regional environmental organizations build their capacity and effectiveness. The Fund will make approximately $1 million in grants annually to provide general support and project funding to state and regional environmental organizations, including toxics organizations and other multi-issue organizations that make environmental advocacy and organizing a high priority. Specific areas of interest include: organizational development and capacity building, including diversifying and expanding sources of funding; citizen participation; outreach to new constituencies; coalition building; and training and technical assistance. Grants will generally not exceed $25,000. The Fund prefers to receive letters of inquiry as the first step in the grantmaking process. These letters can be submitted via email (preferred method) or regular U.S.surface mail. Please see the program's Web site
http://www.belvederefund.org/ (note: not operational as of July 18) for complete application information. Contact: Catherine Lerza Tel: (202) 293-0062

National Tree Trust Partnership Enhancement Monetary Grant
Deadline October 1
The Partnership Enhancement Monetary Grant Program (PEP) is a partnership between the National Tree Trust (NTT) and other qualifying 501(c)3 organizations. Grants are awarded in four categories: tree planting/maintenance, education/training, overhead/administration, and national/regional program/project. Program Requirements: Applying organization must be a currently certified 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located within the United States to qualify. Organization must have been in existence for a minimum of two years. Organization must demonstrate that tree planting, maintenance, and education are components of the organization. Organization must be volunteer-based. For more information, email NTT at info@nationaltreetrust.org. Applications are available on the website www.nationaltreetrust.org/NTTPrograms.htm.

Palm Offering Handheld Computing Devices to Nonprofit Organizations
Deadline: Open
Palm, Inc. is committed to helping nonprofit organizations serve community needs through the Palm Products Donation Program. The program offers donations of Palm handheld computing devices to enable nonprofit groups to streamline work processes and improve information management. See http://www.palm.com/about/corporate/donations.html for complete guidelines and an online application form.

PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES  [back to top]

Check out http://www.enature.com It has on-line field guides with photos and descriptions for plants, trees, and amphibians, also check out the "advanced search" option that works something like a key. Enature.com, in partnership with TreeLink, provides a tree-identification guide at www.treelink.org

A global study includes a number of U.S. cities with Urban & Community Forestry programs. See Looking at the Urban Impact on Earth From Space by www.SPACE.com Call it high urban art or call it science. A powerful device aboard NASA's Terra satellite allows researchers to study urban density and monitor how cities and suburbs swallow up their surroundings. See the whole story at the site below, or under NEWS at TreeLink.org - http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/planetearth/aster_cities_010529-1.html.

The Spring issue of CommuniTree News is located at: http://www.odf.state.or.us/fa/UF/CTN/CTNlist.htm Click on Volume 11, Number 1, Spring 2001.

The summer issue of WoodNotes is located at Treelink.org at http://www.treelink.org/woodnotes.

Exploring the "Virtual" Forest
The Indiana Forestry Educational Foundation, the IN DNR, Division of Forestry, and Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis are pleased to announce the "Virtual Forest" CD-ROM software series is now available. These interactive CDs enable students to "hike" through the forest with a 360-degree view of different navigable scenes. A corresponding map of each forest plot enables students to measure tree diameter and distances between trees, allowing them to do plot sampling. Branches, leaves, and fruit samples can also be collected and identified interactively. Currently available are: "Central Hardwoods Virtual Forest" and the "Boreal Virtual Forest" for $20.00 each. Contact Natural Resources Education Center-PLT to order at drogler@dnr.state.in.us.

The National Tree Trust is beginning to distribute its newsletter electronically to friends and supporters who provide email addresses. The link is http://www.nationaltreetrust.org/prenewsletter.htm.

Woodsy Owl Activity Guide - Free Online
Woodsy has been America's environmental champion since 1970, and is most recognized for his wise request, "Give a hoot. Don't pollute." Join the USDA Forest Service in introducing children to this fanciful creature. Woodsy is coming to you with simple, hands-on land stewardship activities--and there's so much more ahead. The Activity Guide includes twelve activities that meet the National Science Education Standards. Activities are designed to help kids 5 to 8 years old explore their environment, encouraging them to take responsibility for stewardship in their neighborhood, and to share some elements with their families. Activities are suitable for Classrooms, nature centers, out-of-school programs, and at special conservation education activities. Hard copy can be ordered for $2.00. Download from http://www.symbols.gov/woodsy/pages/toolbox/teachers/activity-guide/activity.html.

USDA Forest Service Video Library HTTP://WWW.R5.FS.FED.US/VIDEO/
This is a free-loan lending library system. The only cost is the return postage. All videos are available on VHS format and there is a 10-tape limit. Titles of interest to urban audiences are "Communities Connecting With The Land" and 18 environmental education videos. Audience Planners, Inc. distributes the Forest Service free-loan videotape library. Write, call, or fax Audience Planners at the address below, with the name(s) of the videotapes you wish to borrow and the requested play date. Forest Service Video Library c/o Audience Planners 5341 Derry Ave. Suite Q Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Phone 800/683-8366 Fax: 818/865-1327

Guide for Homeowners Ready for Distribution
Helping Trees Recover From Stress: A Guide for Homeowners, has recently been published in cooperation with New York and the New England states. Supported by funding from the 1998 Ice Storm Recovery Initiative, this 20-page publication provides information to homeowners on helping trees recover from storm damage, drought, and other stresses. This project included technical contribution by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management, Forest Health Program. For information on ordering copies, contact David Bloniarz at dbloniarz@fs.fed.us.

Tracking our Success:
Here is one way EPA is trying to capture restoration activities as well demonstrate accomplishments. http://yosemite1.epa.gov/water/restorat.nsf/rpd-2a.htm?openpage.

Alien Invaders of the Urban Forest:
PBS Scientific American Frontiers will be airing a show featuring Alien Invaders to include the Asian Longhorned Beetle, on Tuesday, November 6 at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. PBS filmed and interviewed the New York project last May, and coverage is expected to include tree removal, chemical treatments, bucket truck and tree-climbing survey, as well as acoustical detection equipment. Alan Alda will be the host.

Dennis Haugen provided background information on ALB to PBS last April, and he says PBS may have shot some film of Bob Haack (NC) conducting research on the ALB. The show will discuss the increasing impact of global trade on the environment. Other topics to be covered include: Gypsy moth and the brown tree snake. For more information visit Scientific American Frontiers website: http:///www.pbs.org/saf/. Gina M. Childs Group Leader Information Management and Analysis, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area

Enhance that presentation
Looking for photos to use for a PowerPoint presentation or to illustrate something? More than 3,300 images of more than 800 insects, diseases,plants, wildlife, and management practices taken by over 150 photographers are available. Most images were digitized from high-resolution 35mm slides. Multiple levels of jpeg format images are downloadable and may be copied and used for any non-profit, educational purpose with appropriate credit and copyright notice. Although most images are North American in nature, the system also contains images of organisms that are "Non-U.S. Natives", or are considered to be "U.S.Invasives". Visit ForestryImages.org at: http://www.ForestryImages.org/ for more information and to access the system. Since ForestryImages.org is an ongoing project supported by the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team and Washington Office, Forest Health Protection Staff, look for many images and new features to be added in ensuing months. Sam Carman, Education Director, Indiana DNR-Division of Forestry Email: scarman@dnr.state.in.us.

Distance Learning Module on Forestry BMPs
The "Forestry Best Management Practices in Watersheds" module is now available on EPA's Watershed Academy web page. You can access this module at http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/forestry/index.htm.

The module introduces basic concepts of good forestry practices for protecting water quality. It is intended as a general overview for those interested in watershed issues.

The Forestry BMP module is 1 of 15 core courses in EPA Watershed Management certificate program. These courses are intended to provide a basic but broad introduction to watershed management. After completing the 15 self-paced training modules, web-site visitors can receive a certificate of completion for the watershed training.

The module was jointly developed by the Forest Service and the EPA Office of Water. Please contact Karen Solari if you have any questions (202-25-1274 or ksolari@fs.fed.us).

CONFERENCES  [back to top]

CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT: On September 6 at the National Urban Forest Conference, there will be a "Mayor's Panel" with several mayors invited. American Forests is working with the US Conference of Mayors and have invited Mayor Williams (DC), Mayor Coles (Boise), Mayor Webb (Denver), Mayor Ashe (Knoxville), and Mayor Morial (New Orleans) to participate. Ray Suarez (of PBS News Hour) or Dan Glickman (former Secretary of Agriculture) will moderate. Register now for the 2001 National Urban Forest Conference - September 5-8 - in Washington, DC. You can register quickly and easily online at www.americanforests.org -- click on the Conference icon. To see Program information click on Program. To see conference rates and/or to register, click on Register.

Grassroots Summit to Meet at National Conference
Mark your calendar. On Saturday, September 8, at the site of the National Urban Forest Conference in Washington, DC, from 1:00-5:00, a preliminary meeting is scheduled to plan for the Grassroots Summit in 2002. The group has expanded its definition of "grassroots" and is welcoming everyone with a desire to influence funding and policy at the national, state, and local levels. The planning team is organizing a very different summit, focused on building a national "platform" that will highlight a common agenda across the spectrum of organizations, agencies and individuals who care for and about community trees and forests. This will be the basis for growing a strong and healthy, national constituency for urban and community forestry. The directed to co-chair's Jerri LaHaie at aufa@PRODIGY.NETor Alice Ewan Walker at alice@pobox.com

National Meeting of Coordinators
Registration deadline is August 6, but please contact Paul Revell if you still want to participate, revellp@dof.state.va.us

National Watershed Forum
On June 28-30, nearly 500 delegates gathered in Washington, DC for the first National Watershed Forum. More than two-thirds of these delegates represented local watershed organizations, agriculture, forestry, mining, other business interests, environmental groups, tribes, and local and state government agencies. About one-third of these delegates were from federal agencies.

The Forum delegates recommended establishing a national watershed roundtable of local watershed representatives to:

• Develop a national watershed strategy.
• Evaluate ways to make federal funding of local watershed efforts more flexible and coordinated.
• Explore feasibility of creating a national watershed trust fund

Some of the other recommendations from the Forum delegates were:

• Develop a national strategy for service delivery.
• Provide one stop shopping for resources, assistance, and permits.
• Implement a national media campaign for general awareness of watershed issues.
• Continue support of regional watershed roundtables and Forum.
• Conduct a national tribal watershed forum.
• Designate October 19, 2002--the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Clean Water Act--as National Water Quality Monitoring Day.

If you would like more information on the Forum, please contact Karen Solari at 202-205-1274 or ksolai@fs.fed.us.

Scenic Summit
Action for America's Communities, Countryside, and Public Lands sponsored by Scenic America and EDAW, Inc. will be held April 21-24, 2002, Adam's Mark Hotel, Denver, CO. This is a national conference whose goal is to accelerate efforts to protect America's natural beauty and distinctive community character in the early 21st century. Speakers include nationally known experts in their fields. It is geared towards citizens and professionals who care about the future of America's landscape: political leaders, educators, community activists, landscape architects, business leaders, environmental psychologists, land managers, city/county planners, public agency administrators, Native American environmental leaders, researchers, artists, writers, and travel and tourism officials. Participants will learn about and discuss a wide range of which will include: Smart Growth, sign control, community design, digital technologies, sensitive highway design, urban forestry, scenic by ways and education, corporate responsibility, and organizing for scenic conservation.

Conference brochures and registration materials will be available in fall 2001. Check now for updated information on the Scenic Summit website at www.scenicsummit.org.

Conference Calendar

August

September

October

November

December

February 2002

March 2002