January 15, 2013

Hello Urban Forestry Advocates,

Here’s what’s happening in urban and community forestry:

Thanks for all you do for urban forestry and our communities!

Regards,

Sonali Shah
Communications Manager
California Urban Forests Council

At last: Minority Vote in CA Proportionate to Demographics

America is becoming less white and more diverse – but that diversity until now has not been reflected in the ballot place. Non-white groups are now voting in proportion to their numeric population. About 40 percent of California’s electorate is now non-white:

Current demographics: White 60 percent, Latino 23 percent, Asian-Americans 10 percent, and African Americans 6 percent

The significant point is that non-white voters tend to be overwhelmingly Democrats or Independents who sympathize with that party.

For us in urban forestry, we must consider these changing demographics and voting patterns in our urban forestry education, awareness, and advocacy efforts. Click here to read more.

Free Fruit for All!
California’s first public orchard blossoms in L.A

The renovated Del Aire Park in Los Angeles County, with 27 fruit trees and eight grapevines, officially opened to the public at the start of the year.

The county paid $4 million for the improvements — and used a little creative financing as the fruit trees were paid for from funds designated for civic art. The purpose was to blend food and aesthetics into ‘edible art’.

“Community gardens and farmers markets are truly the town centers of our communities. These are the places where people gather and get to know each other” said County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Read the full story.

UF Poster Contest for 3rd, 4th and 5th Graders
Know any 3rd, 4th, or 5th Grade Students interested in Trees or Art? Check out the California ReLeaf Arbor Week Poster Contest

Students are asked to create original artwork on the theme “The Trees in my Community are an Urban Forest.”

Submission deadline: Feb 15, 2013

Winners will be featured at the State Fair and awarded cash prizes provided by the California Community Forests Foundation.

Contest rules, classroom curriculum, and prize list are available here.

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