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Have you noticed the trees starting to flower? The crowns of white, pink and yellow flowers on the trees in our neighborhoods, are reminders that spring is just around the corner and the season is shaping up to be a busy one for the California Urban Forests Council.
Our program, Invest from the Ground Up is partnering with West Coast Arborists, inc., and the Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture again in the second round of CIRCLE! The California Initiative to Reduce Carbon and Limit Emissions 2.0 has big plans with our new partner cities and non-profits to engage residents in disadvantaged communities, train Tree Stewards, and plant 1,650 trees. Community tree planting events will take place in Spring 2018. To find an event near you, visit the CIRCLE2.0 page.
Last month, the California Urban Forests Council, along with our regional Sacramento Valley and Bay Area councils, joined forces with the Forest Service, Davey and Friends of the Urban Forest to create a parklet at the New Partners for Smart Growth conference held in San Francisco. Visitors were invited to look and learn about trees and could touch and smell the leaves and seeds that help us identify different trees.
We’ve also launched some new tools to help you when applying for grants, and planning and managing your urban forestry projects. The i-Tree Planting Calculator is designed to help you estimate the long-term environmental benefits from a tree planting project. The focus is on greenhouse gases, but many co-benefits are included. Our California Climate Trees Map highlights the important urban forestry work being funded by California Climate Investments. The map shows trees planted by more than two dozen nonprofit organizations and government agencies across California using the public cap-and-trade funds.
Also in this newsletter:
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Do you have a tree story? Can you recall looking at a tree with awe? When you were filled with a deep appreciation for nature? Not just for the nature of wild areas, but also for the nature that surrounds us. At our conference last year we started collecting your tree stories and we will be sharing those with you throughout the year. You can listen to Elizabeth’s story below.
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| Listen to Elizabeth’s tree story. |
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| Do you have great tree planting event videos? We are looking for videos of tree planting events to share with the High Speed Rail marketing and multi-media team. Share a link with us. |
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Need a calendar to help keep track of all your urban forestry events? Email us at [email protected] or respond ‘yes’ on this Facebook post.
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Call for proposals
The Partners in Community Forestry Conference is the premier learning and networking opportunity for those who manage and advocate for community trees, featuring presentations on sustainability, partnerships, and community collaboration.
Don’t miss your opportunity to share your experience and knowledge with a wide range of urban forestry professionals such as: city foresters, parks and recreation managers, urban planners, landscape architects, nonprofit directors, environmental consultants, utility arborists, city managers, state foresters, and other individuals who make decisions regarding trees in their communities.
• The Call for Proposals will be open through March 31, 2018.
• Presentation opportunities include general session, concurrent/breakout sessions, and lightning round options. |
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Alliance for Community Trees Day:
Call for Speakers Now Open
In addition to the Partners in Community Forestry Conference, there are also opportunities to present at the Alliance for Community Trees Day which will be held prior to the Partners in Community Forestry Conference.
The Alliance for Community Trees Day will be held in Irvine, California, on November 6, 2018.
Alliance for Community Trees Day is the annual meeting for the Alliance for Community Trees network —community-based organizations, volunteers, state urban forestry groups, tree boards, and more, all dedicated to improving the livability of their towns and cities through planting and caring for trees.
Submit your proposal today to have an opportunity to present to tree advocates from across the country!
• The Call for Speakers will be open through March 31, 2018.
• Presentation opportunities include general session, concurrent sessions, and lightning round options. |
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April 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Free Event – Part of the Learn at Lunch Series
Dr. Rich Hauer, Professor of Urban Forestry, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
This talk will use the many stages (pre-planting, planting, establishment, formative years, semi-mature, mature, senescent) as a backdrop in a trees life and what the science tells us about when a lack of maintenance resulted in a lessor outcome. There is a cost of not maintaining urban trees.
The California Urban Forest Council, Sacramento Region Chapter “Learn at Lunch” series provides advanced educational opportunities for urban forestry professionals and the public. Learn at lunch presentations are provided every two months. Sessions are free. ISA CEU’s are requested for each session. Lunch is not provided. Please bring your own food and beverage. Please RSVP to Anne Fenkner [email protected]
Location:
Sacramento Tree Foundation
191 Lathrop Way, Suite F
Sacramento, CA 95815 |
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Urban Forestry for People in a Hurry
Friday, March 9 @ 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
The County of Santa Clara invites all policy makers, department directors and staff to attend an important discussion titled, “Urban Forestry for People in a Hurry.”
Trees are an integral part of the health and character of Santa Clara County communities, yet they are often viewed as an amenity or luxury. A wealth of research shows that a thriving urban forest is essential to the well-being of any area, its ecosystem, and its residents. The proper management of this vital resource is not just the job of arborists–but is the task of all those who are responsible for the care of the community and our public assets.
We know you’re busy. Here is your chance to ….
- Learn about the connection between trees and public health
- See how investments in the urban forest have an average return rate of close to 3 to 1
- Hear from a panel of local municipal arborists, who will tell it to you straight
- Learn the keys to achieve a robust urban forestry program
- Connect with resources, funding, and innovative ideas and leaders from around Santa Clara County
Register Now, and see the full line schedule of speakers
Workshop hosted by the Bay Area Urban Forest Ecosystems Council, Canopy, and Our City Forest. |
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President’s FY 2019 Budget Proposes Eliminating U&CF National Funding
The national Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) program has been proposed for complete elimination in the President’s FY 2019 budget, though we do expect the proposed budget will undergo significant changes before it is passed.
U&CF provides direct assistance to state governments, nonprofit organizations and partners in managing our nation’s 130 million acres of urban and community forests. In FY 2016, more than 7,800 communities and 200+ million people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories and affiliated Pacific Island nations benefited from the U&CF program, whose funds are often leveraged 2:1 by states and partner organizations, creating an even broader impact.
This Action Alert from American Forests provides further information and a template response you can customize and share with colleagues and friends. Be share to turn off your ad blocker if you’re not seeing the letter. |
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Yes on Prop 68
Prop 68 is a general obligation bond that invests $4 billion in the coming years to address some of California’s most important water, park, and natural resource needs.
The state legislature passed the California Clean Water & Parks Act (SB5) with bipartisan support, and it will appear on the June statewide ballot.
The bond includes Climate Preparedness, Habitat Resiliency, Resources Enhancement, and Innovation), there is a $50 M allocation to CalFire, with 30% for urban forestry projects. To learn more see the SB5 summary document (view Chapter 10) or visit yes on prop 68. We encourage you to support this proposition as it includes $15 million in urban and community forestry. |
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Tree Care for Birds
Nesting season is in full swing. It’s time to spotlight Best Management Practices and remind those hiring tree care providers to include these standards in work contracts.
Visit treecareforbirds.com for the full length best management practices document as well as simplified sets of guidelines in English and Spanish titled, Preventing Harm to Wildlife During Tree care. There is also a 15-minute training video.
Upcoming events:
Sacramento: Wildlife Best Management Practices for the Tree Care Industry in California presentation as part of the Learn at Lunch series hosted by the Sacramento Valley Regional Urban Forests Council on June 14.
Oroville: May 22, 2018. Download Event Flyer
Jurupa Valley: May 17, 2018. Download Event Flyer |
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Join the Children & Nature Network for a webinar on:
Making the Case: Equitable Access to Nature’s Benefits
DATE: Thursday, March 15, 2018
TIME: 11am – 12pm Central Time
Register Here
Registration is recommended.
Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Children from communities of color and low-income neighborhoods face physical as well as social and structural barriers to quality nature spaces and experiences. This inequity is reflected in disparate health, mental health and developmental outcomes. Conversely, nature access can create more racially, socially and economically equitable communities.
In this first iteration of our “Making the Case” webinar series, join members of C&NN’s Research, Cities Connecting Children to Nature, Natural Leaders and Green Schoolyards initiatives. We will explore what the latest research and our work in communities can tell us about overcoming barriers and implementing promising strategies to increase equitable access to nature for children and families.
Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by children of diverse backgrounds — as well as hope, inspiration and concrete ideas for increasing equitable nature access. Learn more here.
Who should attend:
This webinar is intended for a broad audience including educational professionals, youth development professionals, health care professionals, municipal leaders, policymakers, city planners, and parks and recreation staff.
Featured Speakers:
CJ Goulding, Lead Organizer, Natural Leaders Network, C&NN
Cathy Jordan, Director of Research, C&NN; Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Extension, University of Minnesota
Margaret Lamar, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, C&NN
Jaime Zaplatosch, Director, Green Schoolyards for Healthy Communities, C&NN |
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Urban Greening Grant Program – Round Two
Funded By California Climate Investments
The California Natural Resources Agency is pleased to announce the open solicitation period for the Urban Greening Grant Program! The Guidelines include information to assist in preparing an application for funding. Please be sure to read these Guidelines, Application, and Forms in their entirety for important information on project eligibility, evaluation criteria, and submission requirements.
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD HERE
ONLINE APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 11, 2018, 5 p.m.
TECHNICAL WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend one of the workshops. Each workshop will include a formal presentation and breakout sessions designed to provide help and guidance in preparing grant applications.
OAKLAND
Greenlining Institute
360 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Paid Street Parking and Garages. Accessible via Public Transportation.
March 2, 2018
11 am – 2 pm
VISALIA
City of Visalia
City Council Chambers
707 W. Acequia Avenue
Visalia, CA 93291
Free On-Site Parking Available March 5, 2018
11 am – 2 pm
REDDING
Redding City Hall
Community Room
777 Cypress Avenue
Redding, CA 96001
Free On-Site Parking Available
March 8, 2018
11 am – 2 pm
SAN DIEGO
San Diego Unified Port District
Don L. Nay Administration Building
First Floor Training Room
3165 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Free On-Site Parking Available March 12, 2018
9am-12pm
ONTARIO
DeAnza Community and Teen Center
1405 S Fern Avenue
Ontario, CA 91762
Free On-Site Parking Available
RSVP’s are appreciated; please click here or call (916) 653-2812 to RSVP.
Participants are encouraged to attend the workshop in person to benefit from the networking opportunities and access to technical assistance.
The Urban Greening Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investment projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are made in disadvantaged and low-income communities. For more information, visit California Climate Investments. |
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