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: March 20, 2002

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)

State Coordinators News

Quote

-- From "Creating a Healthy Environment: The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health" by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Complete report available online at www.sprawlwatch.org

Question of the Month:

ANNOUNCEMENT

Urban Forestry Needs Your Help!

We want to know who you are at http://www.aslangroup.net/nucfacsurvey.html

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) is conducting a survey to:

• Publish an electronic database of urban and community forestry organizations around the country.
• Provide direct access and information for each of us to link to other like organizations.
• Facilitate the connection between participating organizations.

We need your help in order to accomplish this Herculean task. We ask that you:

• Fill out the electronic survey addressed in this email (it should take about 10 minutes).
• Send this announcement on to other local, state, regional, and national/international organizations that you believe should be on this national list.

In appreciation for your participation, after the survey information is published, you will be notified of your access to the electronic database. If you have any questions, please contact us at NUCFAC@Aslangroup.net. Thank you for filling out the survey on http://www.aslangroup.net/nucfacsurvey.html. If you would like to receive a paper copy of the survey, you may download it from the Web site or by contacting us via phone 217-369-6484, fax 217-359-5181, or mail to 508 S. Prospect, Champaign IL 61820. To learn more of our lab's work - http://www.herl.uiuc.edu

William P. Kruidenier
University of Illinois, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Phone 217-244-2831; fax 217-244-1507
Email kruideni@uiuc.edu

Welcome New State Coordinator!

Bryan Hall has been employed by the Delaware Department of Agriculture Forest Service (DDAFS) since September 1999 as an Urban and Community Forester and has been selected to lead the state program. Before joining the DDAFS staff he worked as a utility forester for Asplundh, where he gained experience in vegetation management and community forestry management. Bryan is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management, and is currently completing a Masters of Science in Environmental Science Degree at Wesley College. He is a certified arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture, a licensed tree expert within the state of Maryland, and is a licensed pesticide applicator in 5 Mid-Atlantic States. He can be reached at bryan@dda.state.de.us

FY 2003 President's Budget  [back to top]

The proposed budget for Urban and Community Forestry is $36,614,000 or $614,000 above the FY 2002 Program. The following text was part of the budget justification: "The proposed budget begins to address the stewardship of urban natural resources where 80 percent of the nation lives. Important connections exist between the quality of life in metropolitan areas and land consumption associated with sprawl. In addition there is a strong economic case for conservation of green open space to guide growth and revitalize city centers and older suburbs. The Urban and Community Forestry Program responds to these needs by maintaining, restoring, and improving the health of urban trees, forests, greenspaces, and sustainable forest ecosystems for more than 70 million acres of America's urban and community forest resources. Through these efforts the program encourages and promotes the creation of healthier, more livable urban environments across the nation. The program will continue to expand partnerships with non-governmental organizations to restore natural resources in older, declining cities and towns."

In FY 2003, the focus of the Program will be to:

• Expand partnerships to better serve urban constituencies.
• Increase technical and financial assistance to partners.
• Strengthen technology transfer to advance resource analysis and monitoring.

Forest Service Announces Changes in National Leadership Team   [back to top]

The USDA Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth announced Joel Holtrop has been selected to be the new deputy chief for state and private forestry, responsible for Cooperative Forestry programs, Urban and Community Forestry, Forest Health Protection, Fire and Aviation Management, and Natural Resources Conservation Education.

Holtrop began working for the Forest Service in 1977 on the Eldorado National Forest in the Pacific Region as a forester. He worked on the Mt. Hood National Forest as a timber management assistant. Holtrop was a district ranger and later deputy forest supervisor on the Nicolet National Forest. In 1990 he was promoted to forest supervisor on the Flathead National Forest in Kalispell, Mont. His next move was to Washington, D.C. in 1996, where he was deputy director, range management from 1996 to 1999, and his current position, director of watershed, fish, wildlife, air and rare plants staff , his current position since January of 2000. Holtrop received a bachelor's degree in forestry from Michigan State University in 1974, and a master's degree in forestry from the University of Washington in 1982.

Promoting Land Uses That Protect Air and Water Quality  [back to top]

Senators Jim Jeffords (I-VT) and Carl Levin (D-MI), co-chairs of the Senate Smart Growth Task Force, and Representatives Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) and Martin Meehan (D-MA), released a new General Accounting Office (GAO) report entitled: Federal Incentives Could Help Promote Land Use That Protects Air and Water Quality.

The GAO report examined how state and local transportation and air and water quality officials consider the impacts of land use on the environment and how federal agencies can help these officials assess the impact of land use. The GAO surveyed local transportation planners and state air-quality officials nationwide and 32 water-quality specialists.

The report found that most states and localities do not assess the impacts of land use on air and water quality or develop ways to reduce its negative effects. In an effort to reduce the negative impact of this urban growth, the GAO recommended: that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) devise an overall strategy to help states and localities assess the impacts of land use and provide them with financial, technical and other assistance; and that the Department of Transportation (DOT) encourage transportation planners to assess the impacts of their plans and to share data with land use officials.

Between 1982 and 1997, developed land increased by 47 percent nationwide while the population grew by only 17 percent. In the last 30 years, the total number of vehicle miles traveled grew by 125 percent. Urban land use is a significant contributor to air pollution and nonpoint source water pollution. According to the EPA, urban land runoff accounts for up to 40 percent of water-quality problems. Pollutants carried in storm water run-off can impair drinking water and reduce biological diversity in aquatic ecosystems. In 1998, motor vehicles contribute to 57 percent of carbon monoxide emissions, 32 percent of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 29 percent of volatile organic compound emissions. These air pollutants contribute to respiratory and other heath problems. The report is available on GAO's website, http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0212.pdf.

Brownfield Environmental Revitalization and Environmental Restoration Act of 2001  [back to top]

President Bush signed new brownfields legislation on Jan. 11. For the purposes of this legislation the definition of a brownfield site was broadened to include sites that are "mine-scarred land" and sites that are contaminated by petroleum that are not Superfund sites. Sections on "considerations" and "ranking criteria" include the following language: "the extent to which a grant will facilitate the creation, preservation of, or addition to a park, a greenway, undeveloped property, recreational property, or other property used for non-profit purposes." The legislation expands the allowable activities to include grants and loans for remediation. Previously brownfields funding was used only for inventory and assessment. The definition of "eligible entities" has broadened to include "a regional council or group of general purpose units of government." Eligible entities can apply for site characterization and assessment grants, capitalization of revolving loan funds, and site remediation. Non-profit organizations can now receive grants to remediate sites they own and grants to provide training, research and technical assistance.

In FY 2002, EPA received a $95 million appropriation for the brownfields program. This legislation authorizes EPA to receive up to $200 million per year, which EPA anticipates will be included in the FY2003 budget. Applications for FY2002 have already been received. It is not anticipated that a new or revised RFP will be issued for FY2002 funds. More specific program guidance is being drafted in Washington and will be disseminated to EPA regions early this year.

The USDA Forest Service views brownfields as an important opportunity for reforestation as permanent greenspace, particularly in urban areas with little open space; and considers reforestation a beneficial interim use. Because many brownfields will not be redeveloped in the short-term, reforestation can provide significant environmental benefits while the remediated site remains dormant. This legislation offers an opportunity for the EPA Brownfields program and the FS Urban and Community Forestry program to work cooperatively. The agency encourages partners to identify "brownfields to greenfields" pilot/demonstration projects for FY2003 that the Forest Service and EPA can jointly support. Contact Susan Mockenhaupt with information/ideas: smockenhaupt@fs.fed.us

Forests: Urban Sprawl Decimating Southern Woodlands  [back to top]

A massive two-year study released by the U.S. Forest Service warns that urban sprawl could have a huge impact on Southern forests. While timber industry sources applauded the results of the study, environmental groups said Southern forests are being overlogged and took issue with the Forest Service's findings. The Southern Forest Resource Assessment, begun in 1999, involved more than 25 scientists and analysts from the Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Valley Authority, Fish and Wildlife Service and several Southern universities. The report was subjected to a peer-review process from those groups, as well as conservation and industry organizations. According to the study, urbanization -- especially in the Piedmont areas of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina -- is one of the greatest threats to Southern forests. "Forecast models predict that about 12 million acres of southern forests [8 percent of the region's forests] will be urbanized between 1992 and 2020," the report said. "Nineteen million acres of forest are forecast for development between 2020 and 2040."

For more information http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/27/national/27FORE.html : "Sprawl seen hurting South's forests." The full Southern Forest Resource Assessment report is available at http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/sustain/index.htm.

Landscape Architects Seeking Education Credits  [back to top]

Because of the cancellation of the National ASLA conference this past September, many registered architects are having difficulty accruing enough continuing education credits. ASLA has not yet extended the deadline, so many are actively looking for educational opportunities where they can get their required continuing education credits.

Eddie Bauer Pledges Memorial Groves   [back to top]

Thousands of trees will be planted in New York City, Washington, DC/Virginia, and Pennsylvania to honor the men, women, and children who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 attack on the United States. Specialty retailer Eddie Bauer, through its Memorial Tree Groves program, has pledged $500,000 to help American Forests plant trees in remembrance of each victim of the assault. Eddie Bauer is currently raising funds for the program by inviting customers and store associates to add a dollar or more to their in-store, catalog, or online purchases. Visit www.eddiebauer.com.

Eddie Bauer's Memorial Tree Groves program is part of American Forests' Memorial Trees Campaign, which plans to plant thousands of trees in communities across the country as memorials to the victims of September 11. American Forests is working with groups like Hudson River Park Trust in New York City and elsewhere to designate sites where trees will be planted.

Earth Day Network Sponsors "Trees Across America"  [back to top]

The Earth Day Network will honor America and its citizens, including those who died on Sept. 11. Earth Day Network recently pledged to help American Forests plant 285,510,788 trees - one tree for every American. Called Trees Across America, the program will provide environmental education materials to thousands of teachers and encourage them to take positive action for the environment by raising funds to plant memorial tree groves at their schools or neighborhoods. A granite marker customized for each school will identify the grove as a Sept. 11 memorial project. Additionally, the planting project will allow teachers to tie environmental education to American history. The nonprofit Earth Day Network coordinates Earth Day activities worldwide to promote a healthy environment and a peaceful, just, and sustainable world. It spreads environmental awareness through educational materials and publications and by organizing events, activities, and annual campaigns. Visit http://www.earthday.net/.

NUCFAC Receives 123 Pre-Proposals for 2002 Challenge Cost-Share Program  [back to top]

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) received 123 pre-proposals in response to the 2002 Challenge Cost-Share Grant Program. The total request for Federal funding is $10,286,533 that is matched with $14,386,719 by the applicant organization for a total of $24,673,252 in urban and community forestry projects. Applications were received from 34 states, the District of Columbia, and the territory of Chuuk. NUCFAC will recommend a total of $1 million federal dollars in projects to the USDA Forest Service that will subsequently be awarded as Federal Financial Assistance Grants. Contact: Suzanne M. del Villar at delvr@lodelink.com or 209-536- 9201.

EMPLOYMENT  [back to top]

For job opportunities please visit the Tree Talk Bulletin Board.

GRANTS $$$$  [back to top]

Programs Serving At-Risk Children and Youth
Deadline: Feb. 1, May 1, Aug. 1, and Nov. 1, 2002
http://www.freeseeds.org
The Handspring Foundation currently focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations that help at-risk children and youth. Funding is also available for technical assistance/organizational effectiveness grants for groups that focus on issues directly related to children/youth at risk. Funds may be specifically requested for board or staff retreats, hiring staff or consultants, staff training, or strategic planning. Foundation grants range from $1,000 to $25,000 per grant. Handspring product grants are also available to qualifying nonprofit organizations. For application information and forms: www.handspring.com/company/foundation.

Programs Benefiting School-Aged Children
Deadline: Feb. 15, May 15, Aug. 15, and Nov. 15, 2002
The Best Buy Children's Foundation (BBCF) awards grants to nonprofit organizations that take an innovative approach to building life skills in young people through education, mentoring, and leadership development. Funding is directed to multicultural programs located in Best Buy market areas for children ages 5 to 18. Funding priorities include, but are not limited to: Program development; direct project support; specific curriculum development; and scholarship aid for participants in life skills or mentoring programs. BBCF typically awards grants ranging from $2,000 -$10,000 for community- based organizations. Contact: 952-947-2650; http://www.bestbuy.com/About/CommunityRelations

Revitalize, Redesign and Renovate Existing Parks
Deadline for Cities: March 29, 2002
The availability of grant funds for the National Park Services' Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program (UPARR) was recently announced in a Federal Register notice. This year $35 million is available nationally to help revitalize, redesign and renovate existing parks. Grants are matching grants and are only awarded to eligible local governments (non-profit organizations cannot apply directly). If your community organization is planning improvement projects for local parks and recreation facilities, make sure the city knows about your plans. If not, your park may miss out on any opportunity for UPARR funds!

Community-Based River Restoration Grants
Deadline: April 1, 2002
American Rivers is seeking proposals for community-based river restoration grants as part of its new partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Community-Based Restoration Program. These grants are designed to provide support for local communities that are utilizing dam removal or fish passage to restore and protect the ecological integrity of their rivers and improve freshwater habitats important to migratory (anadromous) fish. Grants will be limited to projects in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and California. Applicants should contact American Rivers to discuss potential projects prior to submitting an application. For more information contact: Peter Raabe, River Restoration Finance Associate. American Rivers is at rivergrants@amrivers.org, www.amrivers.org.

Free Seeds for Planting "Freedom Gardens"
Deadline: Ongoing
The America the Beautiful Fund is a national nonprofit organization started in 1965 to encourage volunteer citizen efforts to protect the natural and historic beauty of America. Over 50,000 projects in all 50 states have been developed and assisted with ABF help. In response to the events of Sept. 11, ABF is providing $1 million worth of flower, vegetable, and herb seeds to plant "Freedom Gardens" across America. Anyone who wants to sponsor or start a Freedom Garden in their community can receive a grant of 100 to 1,000 free seed packets. For further information and an application form, visit the program's Web site. http://www.freeseeds.org.

Technology Grants Available to Nonprofit Organizations
Deadline: Ongoing
Third Sector Systems, Inc. has announced first come, first served grants of up to $10,000 for qualified nonprofit organizations for the purchase of Mission Maestro software solutions. The TechFoundation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is administering the grants. Mission Maestro software is designed to support the management of programs and client services as well as development, fundraising, administration, communications, and other activities. The primary goal of the program is to help recipients implement Mission Maestro solutions to benefit and achieve their mission. Applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations or associations. For additional information contact: Daniel Fata at 617-234-2145, E-mail: fata@techfoundation.org or see the website http://www.techfoundation.org.

PUBLICATIONS & WEBSITES  [back to top]

Grant Writing Tutorial at TreeLink

This short tutorial and introduction to the world of fund raising is intended to help you secure part of the vast amount of grant money given away each year by private foundations, corporate grantmakers, and government sources. http://www.treelink.org/grants/index.phtml

Utah State University's Online Urban Forestry Class.

This course is for professionals who actively manage an urban forestry program as well as for citizens or community leaders who are interested in their urban environment. The course will include pertinent information on biological, political and social constraints as well as opportunities in the urban environment for small cities and large metropolitan areas. Because the course is offered over the Internet, you can complete the course work at any time of the day or night. The course includes weekly class discussions with experts on topics such as managing pests, diagnosing tree problems, protecting against litigation, tree appraisal, and many other subjects. The course instructors are Fred Baker, forest pathologist; Craig Johnson, landscape architect; and Michael Kuhns, Extension forester; all from Utah State University. This three-credit course (FR5650 index number 22687) began in January 2002 and is available for graduate credit and/or for continuing education credit. For more info, check out http://webct.usu.edu:3000/public/FR5650/index.html and register today for FR5650 Urban/Community Forestry.

Creating a Healthy Environment: The Impact of the Built Environment on Public Health Report

This report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention talks about the connection between the physical environment, including parks, and public health. Recommendations include providing adequate, well-maintained greenspace so people can participate in activities such as walking, running, and biking. Available online at: http://www.sprawlwatch.org/health.pdf.

NRCD Releases Second Edition of Stormwater Strategies

The Washington, D.C. office of the National Resources Defense Council released its second edition of Stormwater Strategies. Initially released in 1999, the manual highlights successful U.S. stormwater control programs. This edition includes a revised chapter on Low Impact Development source control.

"LID is a widely accepted set of storm water management strategies with the primary goals of reducing the amount of urban runoff, improving water quality, and protecting public health using low-cost techniques distributed throughout the community. LID combines a variety of storm water management approaches into a flexible, cost-efficient, environmentally effective system that provides a variety of other economic, environmental and aesthetic benefits," according to the NRDC. It is available online at http://www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/storm/stoinx.asp

Community Greens

This new organization is trying to create shared open spaces on the interiors of city blocks -- www.communitygreens.org. They work with private spaces, but their literature often refers to the environmental benefits of trees and other plantings. The Director is Rob Inerfeld at rob@communitygreens.org.

Forest Communities, Community Forests

This collection of case studies is available online at http://fcresearch.org/communityforestryresourcepages.html

National Tree Trust Newsletter On-line

The latest issue can now be found on the NTT web site. http://www.nationaltreetrust.org/Newsletters/prenewsletter.htm

"Utilizing Municipal Trees - Ideas From Across the Country."

This new publication highlights 16 case-studies from across the country of individuals, businesses, municipalities, and groups that are creatively turning fallen urban trees into value-added wood products. For a free copy, email: sbratkovich@fs.fed.us

Best Management Practices for Community Trees

This Athens-Clarke County, Georgia, document is now online. The 134-page document provides guidelines to the community for tree selection, placement, and care. It is in a PDF format, and can be accessed at www.athensclarkecounty.com. Follow the links to Online Documents.

National Center For Non-Profit Boards

"A Case for Urban Collaboration"

There is an article in the Journal of Extension on the collaboration efforts of HUD and Cooperative Extension titled: "The Department of Housing and Urban Development and Cooperative Extension: A Case for Urban Collaboration." The article contains information that may be useful for urban forestry efforts. You can find the article at: http://joe.org/joe/2001december/a2.html You can check out the journal at: http://joe.org

Interesting Information on Carbon Sequestration.

European Green Infrastructure

This is a very interesting website that highlights green infrastructure projects in a number of European cities. Would our readers know about U.S. sister cities with any of these? http://www.urge-project.org/

World in Lights

You can view a very neat nighttime picture of the world by checking the link below. This is really a sight to behold! The image is a panoramic view of the world from the new space station. It is a night photo with the lights clearly indicating the populated areas. You can scroll East-West and North-South border. Moving east to Europe, there is a high population concentration along the Mediterranean Coast. It's easy to spot London, Paris, Stockholm and Vienna. Note the Nile River and the rest of the "Dark Continent". After the Nile, the lights don't come on again until Johannesburg. Look at the Australian Outback and the Trans-Siberian Rail Route. Moving east the most striking observation is the difference between North and South Korea. Note the density of Japan. What a piece of photography. It is an absolutely awesome picture of the Earth taken from the Boeing-built Space Station last November on a perfect night with no obscuring atmospheric conditions. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0011/earthlights_dmsp_big.jpg

Rural Smart Growth Toolkit

The Development, Community and Environment Division and the National Rural Development Partnership is continuing work on the Smart Growth Model's Handbook. They have started collecting rural and small town Smart Growth case studies to use in developing a preliminary publication or white paper. This paper will evolve into the fuller handbook. If you can identify examples of rural communities or small towns implementing a policy that could be considered smart growth, please email levofsky.amber@epa.gov with the location of the community. If you can, please include a brief description (a few sentences is fine) of the policy, and contact information for the practitioners if you have it. These stories will be a useful example of the type of smart growth policies that rural communities can successfully implement. If you are aware of others who might be able to provide examples, please pass this message along to them.

CONFERENCE CALENDAR  [back to top]

American Community Gardeners Association
Save the dates of July 25,-July 29, 2002 in your daily planner or organizer, to be in New York City for the 23rd Annual ACGA conference, "Gardeners Restore Our World" (GROW) and show your support for New York City and its community gardeners. The last time NYC played host to the ACGA conference was in 1985. Sixteen years later, this international city boasts of over 28,000 acres of parkland, 1,575 parks and playgrounds, 4 botanical gardens, greenways and bike paths. The conference activities will take place at Columbia University's Alfred Lerner Hall, located on the beautiful Upper West Side of Manhattan. For more information www.communitygarden.org

The Humane Metropolis: People and Nature in the 21st Century City
A Symposium to Celebrate and Continue the Work of William H. Whyte. Organized by The Ecological Cities Project, University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Dates: June 6-7, 2002. Location: New York University Law School Auditorium (40 Washington Square South) For further information contact: ecologicalcities@cas.umass.edu or visit: www.umass.edu/ecologicalcities

Grassroots Summit 2002
"Building a United Constituency for Urban and Community Forestry," is the theme for the Grassroots Summit, to be held Sept. 21-24, 2002 at University Park Marriott Hotel in Salt Lake, City, Utah. Bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the nation, the grassroots movement will explore collaborative strategies designed to strengthen urban and community forestry policies at practices at local, state, and national levels. The Summit will also feature educational exhibits, a community stewardship tree planting project, and sponsored events. For more information or to register please contact Co-Chairs, Jerri LaHaie, at 706-769-3127, email UrbanForestry@prodigy.net; or Alice Ewen Walker at 301-699-2203, email alice@actrees.org.

The goals of this summit are to:

1. Create a common voice that recognizes our diversity.
2. Develop a communications platform for urban and community forestry.
3. Determine national objectives and collaborative strategies.

February 2002

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