Executive Director’s Report January 2020

Federal Policy Update – Congress has passed a $32 million budget for urban and community forestry 

Forest Service Regional Update – Miranda Hutton has returned to her post but is inundated currently. I’m waiting to hear from her regarding next steps on our UF & WUI grant.

Forest Service Funding – Our 20-21 funding paperwork is finalized. The new funding starts in March so we can access funding for the conference in May.

Forest Service Research – the LA Urban Research Center’s is accepting research applications for a few more days – Due January 15th

Cal Fire – no update

CUFAC – next meeting is scheduled for the 26th & 27th of February.

State Policy & Advocacy – Hughes did rounds at the Capitol Friday 12.6.19 with legislators, and a meeting with John Melvin and California Department of Food and Agriculture. Our illustrious board member Anne Fenkner joined us and was a terrific asset and contributor. Plans for 2020 advocacy agenda are underway.

Program Updates –

CIRCLE Projects (Cap & Trade Funding) – CIRCLE 1 – ended December 19, 2019 – final reports will be submitted next week along with final invoice. CIRCLE 2.0 all trees planted, monitoring and replacements still underway – wraps up at the end of March 2020.

High Speed Rail – CIRCLE 3.0 – All trees planted! We are focusing on monitoring and replacements now – this wraps up at the end of March 2020.

Cool Parks Program – All plantings are complete for the Fall and another round of plantings will take place in Spring 2020. Monitoring is underway.

Urban Tree Removal Project has been renamed City Forest Renewal. Meetings are underway and MOU’s are being signed.  I submitted a request for an advance to CALFIRE to support us in paying bills for rapidly.

2020 Conference – Is scheduled for May 14-16, 2020 in Sacramento in partnership with CA ReLeaf.  We held our first brainstorming call and had a planning meeting yesterday.

Santa Rosa – no update

Other –

Audit – I have received the audit from Pam Mainini. She will be coming back to the office one more time to update our QuickBooks software. I will review the audit then pass it on to Emily for review and then to the full board.  

Bookkeeping  – Our bookkeeper returns this month!!! I’ve been working in that role as well. 

2020 Budget – Draft is complete and in your packet. $2.7Million!

We are moving into our new office on 1/17/2020. I’ll take some photos and send them. I’m sad about giving up my 35 step commute but the walk is less than a mile so I think I am good. It’s a nice professional set-up. We’ll be looking for a small conference table if anyone in the urban wood business might have any idea, I’m all ears! 🙂

Glad to be back at meeting our mission – newly reinvigorated – lots to do and we can do it!  

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Hughes