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 or phone 404-347-1647
Dick Rideout, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
richard.rideout@dnr.state.wi.us or phone 608-267-0843
Paul D. Ries, Oregon Department of Forestry
pries@odf.state.or.us or phone 503-945-7391
Phillip D. Rodbell, USDA Forest Service - Northeastern Area
prodbell@fs.fed.us or phone 610-557-4133
Pepper Provenzano, TreeLink
pepper@treelink.org or phone 801-359-1933
NEXT DUE DATE FOR SUBMISSION: June 20, 2004
Words for thought
"In the new economy environmental quality has become important not simply as an end in itself, but as a perquisite for attracting new talent."-- Dr. Richard Florida, professor at Carnegie Mellon University
and a visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute
"...the broad-shouldered trees that soak up the heavy rains before they gather into floodwaters; the trees that cleanse our air and muffle the roar of metropolitan life; the great trees that inspire the poet in our battered urban hearts; the trees that soften the sharp corners of crowded living and connect us to the majesty of nature - the trees are going away. In their place: pygmy stands of crape myrtles, or clumps of even smaller bushes. "
-- John Balzar, L.A. Times Staff Writer
"No Safe Arbor in the City," March 8, 2004
Around The States [back to top]
Pennsylania Continues to Grow Greener
On Feb. 3, 2004, Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced an $800 million bond initiative, Growing Greener II, to enhance the Commonwealth's environment. (This in turn is part of a larger strategy totaling $1.6 Billion.) The bond initiative has both environmental enhancement and community revitalization components. The environmental strategy would greatly expand recent efforts to protect open space and farmland, enhance existing state parks & facilities, remediate brownfields and abandoned mines (major sources of pollution in the Schuylkill Watershed). The community revitalization component would fund redevelopment, housing and neighborhood parks. For more information, visit http://www.dep.state.pa.us/growgreen/
New York Announces Inner-City Grants
Gov. George E. Pataki announced in March that $458,868 in federal Inner-City Urban Forestry grants have been awarded to 14 urban communities throughout New York State to support healthy tree growth and improve the quality of life. The grants are funded through the United States Forest Service and administered by the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). In addition, Gov. Pataki launched a new State-sponsored urban forestry initiative, announced during his State of the State address, that will bring together DEC, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and local communities to research the effects of urban forestry on energy use and plant thousands of additional trees throughout New York's urban neighborhoods and parks.
"New York State is committed to building stronger, healthier communities by enhancing our urban forests and preserving valuable environmental resources statewide," Gov. Pataki said. "These grants, coupled with the new urban forestry initiative I announced in my State of the State address, will build on that commitment by partnering with local communities to plant thousands of trees in our inner cities that will save energy, create new habitats, raise property values and improve the quality of life of urban residents across the state." For more information, contact state coordinator Frank Dunstan at fmdunsta@gw.dec.state.nu.us
Maryland Hosts Urban Tree Canopy Workshop
The workshop will bring together urban forestry researchers and practitioners from federal, state, and local levels in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond to: define the water quality benefits that urban tree canopy provides and how these can contribute toward Chesapeake Bay Program goals; address what an appropriate canopy cover goal for urban watersheds is to produce measurable water quality and quantity benefits; and; synthesize knowledge and ideas for the creation of a guide for local governments and community organizations to use in conducting urban-canopy cover assessments, developing canopy cover goals, and implementing canopy cover-enhancement strategies. Keynote speakers for this workshop include: Dave Nowak, USDA Forest Service Northeast Research Station; Greg McPherson, USDA Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research (invited); Scott Goetz, Woods Hole Research Center. For more information, contact Mike Galvin at mgalvin@dnr.state.md.us
New Jersey Cool City Initiative Expecting More Funding
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has committed $2 million to continue Gov. James E. McGreevey's "Cool Cities Initiative," which promotes tree planting as an effective measure to help lower energy consumption. According to the New Jersey Tree Foundation, studies show that trees in urban environments reduce summer air temperatures an average of 3 degrees and surface temperatures as much as 12 degrees. The tree canopies will help reduce temperatures in New Jersey's largest cities of Paterson, Newark, Trenton, Elizabeth, and Camden. So far, contiguous areas devoid of trees in underserved communities are being targeted. To date, approximately 3,000 trees have been planted. An additional $3 million is expected to continue tree-planting efforts. Once plantings are established, before-and-after energy saving projections will be made using City Green analysis. For more information, contact Mike D'Errico at mderrico@dep.state.nj.us
Status of Nebraska Forest Service
State Forester Gary Hergenrader says his agencies efforts to continue the Nebraska Forest Service and its programs were successful. Last March, as a response to continuing state budget problems, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln eliminated all state funding for the Nebraska Forest Service. This action caused an immediate and widespread reaction from agency supporters. In response to this support and as a temporary measure, the Legislature provided enough funding for NFS to get through the year and directed that a study be conducted to determine where in state government the NFS should be located and what level of state funding was needed to carry out the core programs. That study was conducted in October and recommended that the NFS remain within the university with changes in the organizational relationship. It recommended that the core programs and the NFS itself be placed into the statutes. Legislation to effect the recommendations was introduced in January by the Appropriations Committee chair. The Legislature passed those bills and the governor signed them. When the legislative intent for funding is fully realized next year, the level of state funding will be nearly the same as it was previously. On behalf of all in the NFS, Dave Mooter wants thanks the US Forest Service for the strong support provided during the time of uncertainty. For more information, contact Dave Mooter at dmooter@unl.edu
On The National Front
New Urban and Community Forestry Logo Introduced [back to top]
The USDA Forest Service Washington Office is pleased to announce new urban and community forestry high-resolution theme art. To download the new logo, visit http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/
Help for Nonprofits - All on TreeLink at www.treelink.org [back to top]
Heat Island Research Intensifies Debate on Climate Forcing Factors [back to top]
There are a tiny but growing number of atmospheric scientists taking a hard look at parking lots. Most scientists today have concluded that CO2 is the single biggest cause of climate change and that cutting the output is the best way to slow global warming. Dr. Eugenia Kalnay, University of Maryland, past director of the National Weather Service, conducted research on the impact of land-use changes on global temperature. According to Dr. Kalnay's study, published in the journal Nature last spring, urbanization, agriculture, and other human changes to landscapes account for as much as 40 percent of the temperature rise over the past 40 years. To view the entire story, visit http:/www.csmonitor.com/2004/0205/p21s01-sten.html
Donna Murphy adapted this item from the article by Mark Clayton, Staff Writer for
The Christian Science Monitor
HUD Community Development Block Grants under Scrutiny Similar to U&CF [back to top]
This year, a Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) found that the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program had several areas of weakness. PART found the program is limited by an unclear mission, loose targeting requirements, and lack of focus on results. To address this, the administration has laid out several components needed for a successful local CDBG program. The Budget proposes $10 million to test ways to better coordinate, target, and leverage existing Federal community and economic development programs in a few communities.
The CDBG program provides annual grants totaling $4.3 billion each year to over 1,000 eligible cities, counties, and states to help develop viable urban communities in our nation's distressed areas. The primary strength of the program is the flexibility each community has to spend funds on the areas of greatest local need such as housing, economic development, and public facilities. PART says a corresponding weakness, however, is that local governments often spread CDBG funds across many different areas, which reduces the ability to achieve the program's primary objective - revitalizing distressed neighborhoods.
The administration plans to work with stakeholders to identify ways to increase local accountability, improve targeting of funds, and demonstrate results, including legislative reforms.
New Members on NUCFAC [back to top]
Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman announced the selection of four new members to USDA's National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Their terms begin immediately and will continue until Dec. 31, 2006. The additional appointments to the 15-member council are: Maribel De La Torre, mayor pro tempore, City of San Fernando, Calif.; Melanie Kirk, urban and community forestry program specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension, Bryan, Texas; Robert L. Tate, owner, Robert L. Tate Associates, Inc., Cohasset, Calif.; and Alice Ewen Walker, executive director, National Alliance for Community Trees, Riverdale Park, Md. In addition, Joseph Wilson, executive director, Greening Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis., has been appointed to serve as chair of NUCFAC. For more information, visit http://www.treelink.org/nucfac/ and http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/ .
NPS Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program [back to top]
The National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, also known as Rivers and Trails or RTCA, works with community groups and local and state governments to conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways. RTCA works in partnership with urban, rural, and suburban communities to help them achieve conservation, recreation, and nature-based projects. Groups and organizations apply to RTCA for assistance, and if awarded, RTCA acts as a catalyst and facilitator to help move their projects forward. RTCA provides assistance through a network of regional and state field offices throughout the country. Groups and organizations must apply to RTCA for technical assistance. New projects begin in October of each year. Applications are due July 1. To apply, visit www.nps.gov/ccso/rtca
National Tree Trust Unveils Blueprint for the Future [back to top]
National Tree Trust (NTT) has announced their "Blueprint for the Future," to define NTT's chosen role in the urban and community forestry (U&CF) movement and outline programs and services. The plan outlines how NTT will continue to build upon its Seeds, Roots and Branches programs by introducing organization development and training models. The plan also states NTT's position as a U&CF "convener." The Blueprint is based on 14 years in the U&CF community, and surveys and focus groups conducted over the years. The Blueprint can be downloaded at http://www.nationaltreetrust.org For questions, call NTT at 1-800-846-8733.
Select Articles on Emerald Ash Borer [back to top]
Michigan widens emerald ash borer's quarantine area:
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-13/1080258854163040.xml
Michigan governor seeks disaster declaration because of ash borer damage:
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-14/1083354266297470.xml
Ash borer damage to eat through state aid quickly:
http://www.detnews.com/2004/metro/0405/02/b01-139564.htm
Officials Mull Beetle Infestation Plan [back to top]
The goal is to create a natural barrier against the emerald ash borer that could extend in a semicircle south from Michigan into northwestern Ohio. To learn more, visit
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=624&ncid=753&e=10&u=/ap/20040501/ap_on_sc/tree_killing_beetle. EAB was confirmed in Freemont, Indiana. Freemont is in the Northeast corner of Indiana.
Diagnosis and Management for Oak Wilt, Dutch Elm Disease and Sycamore Anthracnose [back to top]
And 50 more resources can be found under Care and Maintenance at the Resource Spotlight at www.treelink.org
Grant Opportunitie$ [back to top]
Kodak American Greenways Offers Grants up to $2,500
Deadline: June 1, 2004
The Kodak American Greenways Awards Program, a partnership of the Eastman Kodak Company -- http://www.kodak.com -- the Conservation Fund -- http://www.conservationfund.org -- and the National Geographic Society -- http://www.nationalgeographic.com -- provides small grants to stimulate planning and design of greenways throughout America. Grant recipients are selected according to criteria that include the importance of the project to local greenway development efforts; demonstrated community support for the project; matching funds or other support from public or private sources; the likelihood of tangible results; and the capacity of the organization to complete the project. Grants may be used for activities such as mapping, ecological assessments, surveying, conferences, and design activities; developing brochures, interpretative displays, audio-visual productions, or public opinion surveys; hiring consultants; incorporating land trusts; and/or building footbridges, planning bike paths, or other creative projects. In general, grants can be used for all appropriate expenses needed to complete a greenway project, including planning, technical assistance, and legal costs. Awards will be given primarily to nonprofit organizations, although public agencies may also apply. The maximum grant award is $2,500, although most grants will range from $500 to $1,500. Only online applications will be accepted. Learn more at http://www.conservationfund.org/?article=2372
Publications & Websites [back to top]
U&CF Theme Art
The US Forest Service has high resolution EPS versions of its new theme art for Urban and Community Forestry at the following address: http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/
TreeLink Upgrade
Visit the new, updated www.TreeLink.org for Internet-based Urban and Community Forestry information, resources and inspiration. Team TreeLink is wrapping up a major renovation. Comments and suggestions are always welcome for polishing the site. If your contact information is not listed at Who's Who in Your State, scroll to the bottom to: Don't see your site in the above list? Submit your site now.
TPL Tells Why America Needs More City Parks and Open Space
The Trust for Public Land has launched its Parks for People initiative "in the belief that every American child should enjoy convenient access to a nearby park or playground." This white paper outlines a desperate need for city parks -- especially in inner-city neighborhoods -- and describes the social, environmental, economic, and health benefits parks bring to cities and people. To learn more, visit www.tpl.org .
WoodNotes Quarterly E-Zine
The spring issue of WoodNotes at TreeLink includes these articles:
- Primavera, by Pepper Provenzano
- The UCF Program: Present Realities, Future Challenges, by Mark Buscaino
- The New Agenda for Urban Canopy, By Ray Tretheway
- Improving the Quality of Nursery Stock, By Dr. Ed Gilman
- Directional Pruning Leaves Utility Lines Clear and Trees Healthy, By Dr. Mike Kuhns
- Under-Used Resources, By Dr. Jim Fazio
Minnesota DOT Sells Popular Publications
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is selling new publications digitally or in hard copy. To find out more, call Todd Carroll at Mn/DOT, 651-284-3760, or email todd.carroll@dot.state.mn.us A few publications that Minnesota communities have used extensively include: Inspection and Contract Administration Guidelines for Mn/DOT Landscape Projects ($12.00), Mn/DOT PlantSelector: a web-based plant selection expert system. Visit http://plantselector.dot.state.mn.us/
Public Response to the Urban Forest in Inner-City Revitalizing Business Districts
This research compared the attitudes and values of urban residents and business people regarding the urban forest in retail business districts. Research methods included photo-based surveys and interviews. The project was national in scope; surveys were distributed in cities throughout the United States. The results demonstrated public preferences for trees in business districts, and differences in response between business people and nearby residents. Differences in shopping behaviors were also detected for business districts having trees. Learn more at http://www.cfr.washington.edu/research.envmind/consumer.html
Greening for Breathing in the Bronx
The community-based Hunts Point Forestry Plan, developed by the New York Tree Trust and NYC Department of Parks with Greening for Breathing, with support from the USDA Forest Service, is available at http://www.nycgovparks.org/sub_your_park/trees_greenstreets/ny_tree_trust/images/pdf/greening_hunts_point.pdf
TreeScapes Downloadable Photo Gallery
Need photos for your newsletters? If you're looking for downloadable shots of trees in urban and community settings, visit the TreeScapes Photo Gallery at www.treelink.org/treescapes/
Open Road Park
Open Road put together the following website to educate community members in Manhattan about their East Village Living Memorials Project and University Design Collaboration with Cornell landscape architecture graduate students. It's a fine educational tool, community bulletin board, and calling card for participatory design.
http://www.openroadny.org/livingmemorial.htm
Partners Add Conservation Network Design to Web
Defenders of Wildlife recently developed a Conservation Network Design web section on its BiodiversityPartners.org website: http://www.biodiversitypartners.org/habconser/cnd/index.shtml Experts and practitioners in the field of conservation planning provided input on the latest theories and practices for identifying habitat priorities. The purpose of the web section is to provide resource managers and planners with practical information on developing a conservation network.
EarthWorks Planting in Boston Areas
EarthWorks is a grassroots environmental organization dedicated to creating a healthier and more sustainable environment in Greater Boston through the planting and care of trees in low-income urban neighborhoods, conservation of urban wilds, and educational programs. See www.earthworksboston.org
Urban Non-Timber Forest Products
Many people not only grow, but collect forest products from the urban forest and there is value in these products. For more on this see: www.communityresources.org/ntfp.html.
Treesearch
Treesearch is a new database that allows access to Forest Service research publications online. With Treesearch, customers can locate and download agency-authored or sponsored publications, including those in journals, books, and conference proceedings. The research results behind these publications have been peer reviewed to ensure the highest quality science. The publications in Treesearch can be accessed from www.treesearch.fs.fed.us, as well as the R&D Website, and the Websites of the six Research Stations, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the International Institute of Tropical Forestry. The database supports searches by author, keyword, originating organization, or date; and returns the abstract and, if selected, the full text of the publication, including tables, figures, and citations.
Guide to Urban Trees and Shrubs Now Online
"Urban Trees and Shrubs: A multimedia guide to the selection of trees and shrubs and their care in urban areas," put together by the Chicago Botanic Garden with a grant from the US Forest Service Midwest Center, is now available at http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/uf/uts/index.htm
Greenspace Without Borders
A US Forest Service inner city community grant to the Urban Resources Initiative in New Haven, Connecticut, generated several model publications on vacant land restoration. Learn more at
http://www.yale.edu/hixon/programs/URIGreenspace.pdf
Landscape Design Manual
Visit Chicago Parks Department Landscape Design Manual at
http://www.ci.chico.ca.us/common/_mod_resource.asp?p=50&f=119
The National Map
The US Geological Survey has a new interactive mapping tool called the National Map at http://nationalmap.usgs.gov/
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]
May 13 |
A Tree Risk Management Plan for Your Municipality |
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May 18 2:00 pm |
Seeing Green with Trees: The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Urban Forests This 90-minute webcast will demonstrate how trees have been used by local governments to meet environmental regulatory requirements, save money, and improve community quality of life. The webcast will feature case studies of local governments that have met the challenges of reducing air pollution, minimizing stormwater runoff, and improving water quality with urban forests Webcast is FREE to the first 100 registrants, after which registration will be $95 per site. To register for a webcast, visit http://www.lgean.org/html/webcast. |
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May 24 |
Urban Tree Canopy Workshop |
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May 25-26 |
Urban Tree Risk Management Training Location: College Park, MD Event Type: Workshop Program: UCF |
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June 15-16 |
Utility Arborist Association regional meeting Location: St. Louis, MO Event Type: Conference Program: UCF |
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June 16 - 19 |
Metropolitan Tree Improvement Alliance (METRIA) 13 |
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June 24 - 26 |
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council Meeting, Detroit, Michigan |
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July 8 - 10 |
Planning for Green |
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July 28-Aug 2 |
Society for Conservation Biology: Conservation in an Urbanizing World. |
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August 1 - 6 |
Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Lessons of Lewis and Clark: Ecological Explorations of Inhabited Landscapes |
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August 8 - 11 |
80th Annual International Society of Arboriculture Meeting |
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October 2 - 6 |
Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada and the Society of American Foresters |
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October 3 - 6 |
Society of Municipal Arborists Fall Conference |
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October 21 - 22 |
13th Annual Statewide Community Forestry Workshop |
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October 29 - 31 |
New Jersey Shade Tree Federation 79th Annua Meeting |
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November 3-5 |
Best of the West Conference |
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November 5 |
Where the Roots Hit the Curb Symposium |
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November 10 |
Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council Meeting |
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2005 |
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March 13-16 Paper submittals by November 14, 2004 |
"Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural Interfaces: Linking Science and Society" Location: Atlanta, GA Event Type: Conference Program: UCF Seeks to bring together individuals with differing perspectives (ecology, chemistry, soil science, water quality, air pollution, economics, politics, public administration, geography, geographic information systems, environmental studies, forestry & wildlife sciences, agriculture, biology) on emerging urban/rural interface issues to help identify challenges, potential solutions, and opportunities. Will publish the conference Proceedings and a book of refereed papers. The deadline for submission of abstracts is November 15, 2004. http://www.sfws.auburn.edu/urbanruralinterfaces/ |
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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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Calendar of Events [back to top]
Visit the current Calendar of Events at www.treelink.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=4 on TreeLink.