Executive Director’s Report January 2022
Federal Policy Update –No updates
Forest Service Regional Update – Miranda Hutten has returned. We have talked. See below.
Forest Service Funding – All of the anticipation of more funding from the FS has fallen by the wayside, at this time. We will see what the next few months will bring once Congress makes some moves. That said, we have been asked to submit our budget and Scope of Work as we have previously, which I have done, plus an additional $5k to help cover Deb’s wages. I’m waiting for Miranda’s approval then I submit a few more docs prior to signing. This will cover our July 2022 through June 2023 funding cycle.
Forest Service Research – No update.
Cal Fire – Walter Passmore CAL FIRE’s urban forester, has asked us to require West Coast Arborists to submit further documentation toward invoices submitted for the work they have done on two of our grants: Cool Parks and City Forest Renewal #1. There are errors in reports that we administrators wouldn’t recognize regarding tree species planted, tree removal protocols, etc. We are confident all will be well, but we are working through it. WCA is instituting more senior oversight on their efforts and monthly billing submittals. As well, I will be hiring a program oversight staff member (funding exists in grants) to keep positive forward motion happening.
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 – I will be working on this over the next few weeks. We will review it on the January 2022 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 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 – Bob Blum made a donation, along with Isby Fleishmann! Thank you both for following up on your commitments! Others have given over time – also very much appreciated.
Deb and I are working on an online fillable Board Application page, which should be ready on 1.20.2022 for you to see. We have simplified things rather them embellishing them.
A reminder of board members’ agreement to contribute $500 either directly or through other opportunities (Regional Council members excluded unless they are eager!)
Need to review 2021-2022 Calendar and board desires and deliverables.
I was off from December 22, 2021, and sadly I was sick (with a bad cold and cough) during most of that time. But I did get to rest, truly. So December was slow, but we are back with a vengeance in January!
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy Hughes