The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider
An electronic newsletter of breaking news and valuable information for the Urban Forest community in Wisconsin and beyond.
Village of Prentice high school students assist in planting project supported by WDNR 2007 Urban Forestry Grant
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March 7, 2008
This issue's contents:
In the News
- Urban Forestry Survey - Respond by March 10
- Urban Tree Utilization and Why It Matters - Dovetail Partners
- Cities Step Up Tree Plantings - Associated Press
- Not Cold Enough to Kill Tree Pests - Minnesota Monitor
Specifically Wisconsin
- In Celebration of Trees - Boerner Botanical Gardens
- Urban Forestry Grants Awarded to 42 Wisconsin Communities
Emerald Ash Borer
- Michigan and EAB Research - MLive.com
- Ohio Sets EAB Traps - The Enquirer
- EAB Would be Costly in South Dakota
Tools For Your Job
- Center for Urban Forest Research - News Brief
- Community Projects Across America - Deadline: March 31
- Tree Management Evolves from Surprise Storm - Arc News Online
- WNA Seeking Research Proposals
Conferences & Seminars
- Green Collar Job Training Webcast - March 20
- Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocols- Webcast
- Imagery for Success Webinars - March 11 & 19
- Adapting Community Infrastructure to Climate Change - Conference
- Urban Wood Utilization Webcasts - March 19 & April 17
- More Conferences & Seminars
Urban Forestry Survey - Respond by March 10
Research tells us that healthy urban forests help bring consumers to business districts, improve air quality, cool urban heat islands, and provide other benefits for your community. How do YOU use such science results to influence and build support amongst those who make policy decisions in your city?
The University of Washington is conducting a study to find out. They want to know about the tools you have used - that contain scientific information - to communicate with policy makers about urban forestry. They want to know how effective those tools have been. Such tools may include things like (but are not limited to):
* Web Sites
* Print Materials (such as brochures, reports and posters)
* Digital Media (such as CDs, DVDs, and videos)
If you have used such a tool in the past, please take a few minutes to answer the survey. survey [exit DNR]
Respond by March 10. All responses will be confidential.
Urban Tree Utilization and Why It Matters - Dovetail Partners
Utilization of urban trees for wood and paper products is still in its infancy. However, the idea is drawing more attention from researchers, community officials, arborists, tree care firms, and wood-using industries including bio-energy producers. The report from Dovetail Partners answers some of the most commonly asked questions including:
• How much wood is in our urban areas?
• What are the major constraints to utilizing this wood?
• Are there viable examples of urban tree utilization industries?
• Can bio-energy play a role in urban tree utilization?
Urban Tree Utilization Report [exit DNR]
Cities Step Up Tree Plantings
Increasingly, trees are the new must-have for American cities. Some prodded by environmental awareness, some by regulatory edict, they're stepping up tree plantings in hopes of improving air quality, reducing energy consumption and easing storm water flows."Everybody's trying to do their best to improve tree canopies and work with developers and urban planners to make sure they remove as little tree canopy as possible in their projects," said Mark Buscaino, executive director of Casey Trees, a not-for-profit in Washington, D.C., that works to green the nation's capital.
Cities and Tree Plantings [exit DNR]
Not Cold Enough to Kill Tree Pests - Minnesota Monitor
We all survived the first subzero cold snap of the season by bundling up or staying inside. Unfortunately for Minnesota's forests, most of the moths, beetles and other pests that make our trees sick during summer probably weathered the cold, too.
In Celebration of Trees - Boerner Botanical Gardens
Boerner Botanical Gardens and Wehr Nature Center are hosting "In Celebration of Trees", in recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day. The fun and information-packed event will provide an opportunities for young and old to learn about trees and living in harmony with nature. Bring the entire family for an adventure in Milwaukee County's Whitnall Park, Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20.
In Celebration of Trees [exit DNR]
Urban Forestry Grants Awarded to 42 Wisconsin Communities
Wisconsin Governor, Jim Doyle, has announced that forty-two Wisconsin communities and nonprofit organizations throughout the state are receiving grants totaling nearly $530,000 for community urban forestry projects in 2008. The grant funding will help support tree inventory and assessments, management plans, urban forest restoration projects, public education and other urban forestry efforts.
Urban Forestry Grants [exit DNR]
Learn more about Wisconsin Urban Forestry Grants
Michigan and EAB Research - MLive.com
A handful of dying trees and rotting logs at Genesee County's parks could hold the secret to ending the emerald ash borer threat. A study begun last year by Michigan State University researchers has turned up some exciting first-year results - including a new chemical pesticide that appears to be virtually 100 percent effective, and the discovery of a tiny wasp that may prove to be the ash borer's first true natural enemy in North America.
Michigan EAB Research [exit DNR]
Ohio Sets EAB Traps - The Enquirer
Traps to determine whether emerald ash borers have invaded Clermont County, Ohio will be set this spring by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. "We will be hanging them in trees, sort of like ornaments in a Christmas tree," said spokeswoman Melissa Brewer.
EAB Would be Costly in South Dakota
South Dakota cities would be hit hard with unexpected costs if an insect called the emerald ash borer ever gets established in the state, a South Dakota State University researcher said. Professor John Ball in SDSU’s Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks said once the insect gets a foothold in a region, it devastates ash populations.
Center for Urban Forest Research - News Brief
The winter News Brief from the Center for Urban Forest Research, U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Southwest is available and features information on engineered soils, why shade streets, STRATUM, greenhouse gas protocol and more..
Community Projects Across America - Deadline: March 31
Hamburger Helper, a General Mills company, is accepting applications for the 2008 "My Hometown Helper" grant program, a nationwide initiative designed to lend a "helping hand" to local groups making a difference in their community. Applications are due March 31, 2008.
Tree Management Evolves from Surprise Storm - Arc News Online
Urban forest specialists and GIS professionals have collaborated to develop a GIS-based tree management program to answer the urgent and comprehensive needs of cities resulting from weather disasters. The program called Urban ForesTREE Management was developed utilizing a combination of ArcGIS Server and ArcIMS technologies.
Urban Forestry Storm Evaluation [exit DNR]
WNA Seeking Research Proposals
The Wisconsin Nursery Association (WNA) is seeking proposals for research projects that would be beneficial to the Wisconsin Nursery industry. Project proposals for funding may include but are not limited to: 1) Breeding projects; 2) Plant production, including fertilization projects; 3) Container production; 4) Projects that relate to weed, insect, disease or other pest prevention, control or eradication; 5) Other projects that will benefit the Wisconsin Nursery industry.
Funding under the WNA grant program is budgeted at $20,000 in 2008, with $19,000 available for new projects in 2008-09. Multiple year projects will be considered for funding, but the project must be completed by December 31, 2009. Cost-sharing for projects projected over multiple years is recommended.
Any nonprofit organization, or researcher that represents producers in the nursery industry are invited to submit proposals for projects and spending plans that comply with the eligible use of funds. Deadline for this year's grant submission is June 20, 2008. Request for proposals are available from: bswingle@toriiphillips.com.
Green Collar Job Training Webcast - March 20
The Alliance for Community Trees will be hosting the webcast, Adult Workforce Training, on March 20 from 12 noon to 1:00 PM CST. The informal training provides an opportunity for community forestry practitioners to learn about successful programs and how they can be adapted to their communities.
The green industry is a $40 billion market and increasing quickly. In many sectors of the green industry, including tree care, there is a job for every trained worker available. Some communities have caught on and are offering adult workforce training to expose high school graduates and at-risk young adults to these career opportunities. Particularly, the partnership between urban youth and trees diversifies the green industry's work force and makes green areas more accessible to urban communities.
Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocols
The Center for Urban Forest Research will host a webcast introducing the draft version of the California Urban Forest Greenhouse Gas Reporting Protocols on March 12, 2008 at 12:00 PM CST. The session will include an introduction to the protocols and time for questions, answers, and comments.
Greenhouse Gas Report Protocols [exit DNR]
Imagery for Success Webinars - March 11 & 19
NCDC Imaging will host two webinars on March 11 or March 19 at 1:00 PM CST featuring NEW satellite launches and new imagery technology resulting in more data and more options for projects. Learn how new imagery sources will help: enhance budgeting by reducing overall cost, produce faster turnaround time, provide more knowledge for better project planning.
Adapting Community Infrastructure to Climate Change - Conference
Solutions for stormwater management and community forests - Thursday, March 13, 2008 from 8:30 - 4:00 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
This conference addresses the current state of climate change knowledge, and the challenges, budgetary implications and anticipated impact on local natural resources associated with climate change. National and regional experts present emerging strategies, tools and policies aimed at managing resource vulnerabilities and risks. Additional sessions will showcase adaptation solutions for stormwater and water resource management (including Low Impact Development), and highlight urban forests as mitigation.
Urban Wood Utilization Webcasts - March 19 & April 17
The US Forest Service Wood Education Resource Center (WERC), Mid-Atlantic Center for Urban and Community Forestry (MACUCF), and Parks & People Foundation are working in partnership to host two webcasts related to utilizing urban wood. Presentations will discuss the connection between recovering underutilized waste wood, sources, potential recovery opportunities and marketing products. Issues such as "why use waste wood?" and "opportunities related to going green in the industry," will be discussed.
More Conferences & Seminars
For more conferences and seminars, check out the WDNR's Urban Forestry webpage.
About the Insider
The Wisconsin Urban Forestry Insider is intended as a quick networking tool for all people actively working in the area of urban and community forestry, especially in the state of Wisconsin.
Items that cannot wait for our quarterly print newsletter, Wisconsin Urban & Community Forests, will appear here.
The Insider is produced biweekly by the Urban and Community Forestry program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin. Past issues will be archived on the UF pages on the WDNR web site.
We are happy to accept your suggestions and contributions. Send them to the editor, at Laura.Wyatt@Wisconsin.gov. Or call her: 608/267-0568.
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