Executive Director’s Report August 2021
Federal Policy Update – no update.
Forest Service Regional Update – Miranda Hutton is temporarily the Acting National Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager – which is AWESOME!
Forest Service Funding – no update.
Forest Service Research – The LA Center had a quarterly meeting which I attended via Zoom. I will be working on something addressing FS UF research over the next month or two. The Pacific Southwest Research Station has a new Station Director, Richard Barhydt, who comes from NASA and doesn’t have a U&CF focus or urban focus, for that matter. I hope to put together a team of U&CF leaders in CA to set a meeting and a discussion on the topic.
Cal Fire – CAL FIRE currently has $10M to fund projects this upcoming year but we are fairly assured that another $20M is heading their way and they will be able to fund many more projects. More on this soon.
State Policy & Advocacy –
Lots of letter writing and last-minute advocacy efforts with legislators to get more funds for U&CF this year and potentially for the following two years. Not finalized yet, but maybe by the time of our call next week.
Program Updates
CIRCLE 4.0 Amplifying Urban Forestry –
Things are moving forward on plans for the 3/12/2022 statewide tree planting event in 30 cities. See our cities captured at the end of this report. Things are moving forward on plans for the 3/22/2022 statewide tree planting event in 30 cities.
Here are our cities thus far:
Cool Parks Program – No update.
City Forest Renewal 1.0 – proceeding, no update.
Agency Updates:
- LCF – Staff reviewing policy and treemap, on board with language/requirements. UW policy will not be adopted. Updated removal commitment to 75 trees or ~22 inches per tree.
- Corona – Legal reviewing UFMP policy, final version due back to us end of August. Policies are being implemented currently.
- Upland – Completed removals. Replanting is to begin in Oct & ramp up in summer (~150). Workshop 9/23.
- Pomona – Final draft UFMP received > Will be presented to CC on 9/20
- Vista – Discussing webinar/workshop internally, will F.U with dates. UW staging at Park – October.
- Santa Ana – ETAC presentation 9/14, TBD on WCA attendance/participation. UFMP Going to council 10/19.
- Covina – Final draft of the UFMP received, headed to planning commission (TBD) then city council (TBD). Workshop – post-UFMP finalization.
Regional Councils Workshops/Webinars:
City Forest Renewal 2.0 – This grant is now underway with MOU’s with three cities and continued outreach. Tentative partners.
The Intersection Between Wildland Urban Interface and Urban Forestry. Davey Resources, our contractor, is still researching and refining our new direction. Updates tomorrow. Event Title is: Bridging the Gap: Urban Forestry in High Fire Risk Communities – An Urban Forestry Learning Lab.
Prop 1 – California Coastal Conservancy – Our final paperwork is moving to the legal department for final sign-off. The planting dates have been moved to Spring 2022.
We submitted budget amendments to allocate more funds for community-based groups and we are waiting for approval. We have one more MOU to submit – and then we are officially underway! At last!
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/
2021 Conference – we are in planning stages with The Urban Wood Network – entitled Invest From The Ground Up – Trees First Wood Next, – the webpage is live – please register! Lots of work here!
American Forests – the survey questions are being finalized for our grant team to reach out to organizations that offer green-jobs training or would like to expand on that.
Certification – no update.
Other
Board member changes – Isby Fleishmann has resigned. It would be great if those of you who know her would reach out and tell her we will miss her! Isby Fleishmann ([email protected]).
Updated Employee Handbook – I’ve sent the final edits back to the attorney. The attorney is now adding COVID protocols and “ACTS of God” language. Should have it soon!
Outreach – The haiku contest and the awards program deadlines have been met. Laura has generously offered to host the haiku judging with two of her best friends. Deb and I will be getting her everything ASAP. Still need awards judges, but Deb and I can handle it.
Deb and I gave a presentation today on our Education, Outreach, and Awareness to the Santa Clara Valley Urban Forestry Alliance
Possible Ad Hoc Committees – Possible Ad Hoc Committees – Nick, Emily, and Nancy met about the cutting board opportunity. Nick is going to reach out to deb regarding designing the logos to fit for CaUFC and sponsor(s).
Strategic Plan Update – revised in the board packet.
Annual Report – in process. We promise!
Be well
Nancy Hughes