Executive Director’s Report February 2022
Federal Policy Update –No updates
Forest Service Regional Update – No updates
Forest Service Funding –
Our year-end written and financial reporting has all been submitted to The Forest Service, along with December invoices. We also received our signed contract extension for an additional $200k from July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023.
Forest Service Research – No update.
Cal Fire –
I have had many calls and meetings with West Coast Arborists, addressing the work issues on our City Forest Renewal grant. We gathered and submitted further reporting evidence on work completed. We are working on a point-by-point plan to meet and exceed CAL FIRE’s requirement on the grant deliverables. I had a call with Walter Passmore and John Melvin last Thursday addressing the issues and the intention to solve the problems with West Coast. I have made an offer to Dorothy Abeyta to become our Program Oversight Manager and she has accepted. She will work directly with West Coast Arborists and CAL FIRE on this issue.
State Policy & Advocacy –
Issues/opportunities we will be addressing: further funding for invasive tree pests; locking down U&CF funding through the Governor’s budget – there are multiple pots currently that could support the CAL FIRE program; get the infrastructure built for the funding for U&CF through the State of CA tax form submittals. Reach out to the Office of Planning & Research to include more U&CF language in their General Plan recommendations to cites; and more.
Conference – Time to plan for 2022. Anyone want to be the chairperson??? Don’t all jump at once!!
Bookkeeping/Taxes/Audit, etc. – No update
2022 Budget – We will discuss on tomorrow’s call
Program Updates –
All moving forward on track. We got an extension on the Cool Parks and City Forest Renewal 1.0 grants through March 2023. This will help us wrap up without a rush.
Amplify the Urban Forest’s event on March 12th could use your professional assistance on that Saturday. Let me know if you want to be eyes and ears at one of our 30 events! Here’s a video of a “Pep Rally” we held last night for the Community-based Leaders and city staff working on our event on 3/12. It was higher-level details but really a rallying point to understand their important role in this statewide effort toward enhanced quality of life for Californians and address climate change issues. https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/4728828407612670471
Regional Councils – It would be fabulous to have the councils submit a monthly report to support our reporting to the Forest Service – here’s the link; we can try again! https://caufc.org/regional-council-report/
Updated Employee Handbook – Attached is the draft of the updated Employee Handbook. You have received the draft of the updated Employee Handbook. This update was done for us by our wonderful legal firm, Nixon-Peabody. I’m not sure how you want to proceed here. We will discuss and vote on January 20th Board Call.
Outreach – See Deb’s report
Board of Directors –
Deb and I have created an online fillable Board Application page. It is ready for use. See if you would like to embellish it further.
A reminder of board members’ agreement to contribute $500 either directly or through other opportunities (Regional Council members excluded unless they are eager!)
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Hughes