Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute

River Parkways Grant Program
Posted: Aug 15, 2011

The Natural Resources Agency is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the California River Parkways (RP) grant program. Funding for this program is made available through the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2006 – Proposition 84. Approximately $30 million available. Application period is August 12, 2011 through October 14, 2011.

River Parkways Program Solicitation
Guidelines and Application

MORE NEWS LISTINGS BELOW....

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS - view all	JOB LISTINGS - view all
Improving Tree Structure with Structural Pruning - San Diego, CA -- Feb 6, 2012 Improving Tree Structure with Structural Pruning - Los Angeles, CA -- Feb 7, 2012 Improving Tree Structure with Structural Pruning - Santa Rosa, CA -- Feb 9, 2012 Improving Tree Structure with Structural Pruning - Sacramento, CA -- Feb 10, 2012 Improving Tree Structure with Structural Pruning - Visalia, CA -- Feb 13, 2012 (Recently Passed) Young Tree Care Workshop Goleta, CA -- Jan 21, 2012	FIRE SAFE PROGRAM COORDINATOR Job closing date: Feb 15, 2012 Conservation Staff Specialist - Nevada Job closing date: Feb 15, 2012 (Recently Passed) City Forester - Portland, OR Posting Removed on: Jan 23, 2012
NEWSLETTERS	GRANTS! GRANTS! GRANTS! - view all
California Shade: A Newsletter From The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Urban Forestry Program Latest: Fall 06 \| Archives • State Coordinators News Network Newsletters are available on TreeLink's website. • Center for Urban Forest Research Newsletters	• Grant Wrangler - Find Funding Fast for K-12 Schools • Grants.gov • CA Integrated Waste Management Board/Grants • Grants for CA Urban Forestry • Kodak American Greenways Awards Program • California Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Program • California Fire Alliance Grant Information Other Grant Information

NEWS LISTINGS ARCHIVE (as they came in)

Cal Fire Urban Forestry Offers Grants for 2011 - 2012
Posted: Jul 15, 2011

Cal Fire offers grants designed to create or implement projects that benefit California urban forestry and urban greening efforts.

Grants for CA Urban Forestry

Back to Top

Proposition 84 - Urban Greening Grant Program
Posted: May 2, 2011

Solicitations for Prop 84 Urban Greening Project and Planning Grants are announced.

This program is administered by the California Natural Resources Agency on behalf of the Strategic Growth Council. To learn more about this program and the Strategic Growth Council, visit www.sgc.ca.gov

In this second of three funding cycles, there is $20 million available for Urban Greening Grants. Up to 25% of that amount can be used to fund urban greening planning grants, with the balance funding urban greening projects. You will find detailed information regarding program requirements including eligibility, evaluation and scoring criteria in the guidelines posted on the website at http://resources.ca.gov/bonds_prop84_urbangreening.html

We look forward to hearing from you as you prepare your concepts for urban greening project grants and full applications for urban greening planning grants. Staff is available to provide assistance as needed and our contact information is provided below and on the Solicitation Notice for your convenience.

Please note that the guidelines and the Concept Proposal Form were updated to reflect the Council's decision to adopt consideration of the risks of Sea Level Rise in the review process. Make sure you use the latest version.

Prop 84 - Urban Greening Grant Program

Back to Top

EPA Seeks Applicants for Grants
Posted: Mar 9, 2011

EPA Seeking Applicants for $1.2 Million in Environmental Justice Grants to Address Local Health and Environmental Issues Non-profit, faith-based and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting grant applications for $1.2 million in funding to support projects designed to research, educate, empower and enable communities to understand and address local health and environmental issues. Eligible applicants from non-profit, faith-based and tribal organizations working in the community of the proposed project are encouraged to apply. Environmental Justice Small Grants funding is available for two categories of projects: 40 grants of up to $25,000 each to support projects that address a community's local environmental issues through collaborative partnerships, and; four grants of up to $50,000 each to gather better science on the environmental and health impacts of exposure to multiple sources of pollution in communities. Closing Date: Thursday, March 31, 2011 More information on the grants can be found in the EPA press release: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/1FDB1DB66729C5CA85257826005BE42C

EPA Seeks Applicants for Grants

Back to Top

California Arbor Week, March 7-14
Posted: Jan 25, 2011

California Arbor Week, March 7-14, is full of opportunities for communities throughout the state. Your city is encouraged to observe Arbor Day and make a proclamation. To make sure that your city is making the most of California Arbor Week, our state's way of celebrating Arbor Day, California ReLeaf is offering support materials that will increase community participation and make the job of planning and publicizing your city's activities even easier.

Arbor Week Toolkit - Use this toolkit to help plan and publicize your Arbor Week events.

Arbor Week Webinar - February 3rd at 10:00 a.m. The webinar will include an overview of the Toolkit and advice from marketing and communications professionals on how to make this year's Arbor Week event the best your city has ever had. You'll learn from the best from the convenience of your desk!

Arbor Week Website - Hosted by California ReLeaf, the website allows people from all over the state to find an Arbor Week event near them. Want to draw a crowd? Need more volunteers? Make sure you register your event with us! The website, due to launch at the end of January, will include other resources for cities, community organizations, homeowners and the public to make the most out of Arbor Week.

Arbor Week Poster Contest - A chance for 3rd-5th grade students to participate in Arbor Week. Be sure to share this document with schools and school districts in your area. Deadline for submission is February 1st.

To sign up for any of these resources or to have your questions answered, please email or call Ashley Mastin at amastin@californiareleaf.org or 916-497-0037.

California Arbor Week

Back to Top

Heritage trees designated in San Luis Obispo
Posted: Oct 4, 2010

It's been around 20 years since the last heritage tree designation in San Luis Obispo, but Tuesday, eight more trees were added.

The Heritage Tree program dedicates large or rare species of trees within the city, so that they can be preserved. Once a tree is accepted into the program, it's assigned a plaque and is added to a pamphlet identifying every Heritage Tree within the city.

Tuesday, eight trees at the Caltrans district office on Higuera Street were dedicated.

"In our pamphlet we have directions to the different sites, and this one would be nice if you want to look at a bunch of varieties of trees because there's eight different trees on this site that are heritage trees," said Ron Combs, urban forester for the city of San Luis Obispo.

Experts say San Luis Obispo has a wide variety of tree species because of it's unique climate.

Heritage trees designated in San Luis Obispo

Back to Top

Urban & Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Opportunity
Posted: Sep 23, 2010

The Forest Service (FS) of the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking innovative grant proposals related to the Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Opportunity. The solicitation appeared in the Federal Register (75 FR 57898, September 23, 2010).

DATES: Applications are available electronically at the following Web site, http://www.grants.gov, due by 11:59 p.m., November 29, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff or the U&CF Staff Assistant to National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, 201 14th St., SW., Yates Building (1 Central) MS-1151, Washington, DC 20250-1151, phone 202-205-1054.

grants.gov - Cost Share Grants

Back to Top

EPA announces $10 million for Communities to Combat Climate Change
Posted: Jun 16, 2010

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is making available up to $10 million in grants to local governments to establish and carry out initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Under the Climate Showcase Communities program, EPA expects to award approximately 25 cooperative agreements ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with approximately five percent of the funds ($500,000) being made available specifically for tribal governments.

Climate Showcase Communities Grants

Back to Top

Will sound put bark beetles on the run?
Posted: Mar 3, 2010

The search for an effective weapon against armies of destructive bark beetles chewing through forests across the West has taken an unusual turn through '80s rock and into, of all places, the voice box of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh. Researchers say they might have found a sonic repellent for the insects -- a digitally altered version of their own calls -- and the federal government is listening.

Bark Beetle Repellant

Back to Top

CALIFORNIA URBAN WOOD UTILIZATION CONFERENCE QUESTIONNAIRE
Posted: Feb 25, 2010

Over the past 10 to 15 years more urban timber businesses have started here in California than any other state in the U.S. In part, this was initially driven by AB939 passed by the Legislature in 1989 that mandated a 50% reduction in municipal waste, including green waste.

Since then the idea has taken on a life of its own so that today there are hundred’s of businesses in CA that are retrieving urban trees when they come down and using the wood to make a wide variety of products, from lumber to flooring to furniture to buildings. Even more seem interested in moving into this business.

This year seems to be the right time for all those who are either in the urban timber business in our state, or have an interest in starting such a business, to gather together in the first of what can become annual conferences devoted to the promises and the challenges of utilizing urban trees.

To this end, we would like to hear from you about where the first of such conferences should be held that would be convenient for most of those attending. When would be the best time of the year? What subjects would be of most interest to you? And, who would you like to hear speak (including yourself)?

We are also thinking about creating a CA-based non-profit organization that would help represent urban timber businesses, organize conferences, serve as a group and public information clearing house, and that could apply for grant money. Let us know what you think of this idea as well.

Your answers to the following half dozen questions in this survey will help us plan the conference. Please take a few moments to answer.

Richard P. Thompson
Professor, Natural Resources Mgmt. Dept
Director, Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
rpthomps@calpoly.edu

Sam Sherrill
Author of "Harvesting Urban
Timber: A Complete Guide".
sherrillsam@yahoo.com

URBAN GREENING PROGRAM
Posted: Feb 22, 2010

SOLICITATION FOR APPLICATIONS AND INVITATION TO ATTEND TECHINICAL WORKSHOPS FOR THE URBAN GREENING PROGRAM.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 30, 2010.

Solicitation Notice and Workshop Schedule
Urban Greening Plans FAQ
Urban Greening Projects FAQ

CAL FIRE Seeks Nominations for California Urban Forest Advisory Committee
Posted: Jan 21, 2010

CAL FIRE is seeking nominations for the California Urban Forest Advisory Committee. Please read the CUFAC Charter.

$500,000 Available in Grants on Sudden Oak Death
Posted: Jan 8, 2010

2010 P. ramorum Request for Proposals from the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection: Approximately $500,000 in grants is available for management, pathology and extension activities in federal fiscal year 2010.

California Oak Mortality Task Force - grants

Back to Top

PG&E and the ClimateSmart program announce fifth Request for Proposals
Posted: Aug 19, 2009

PG&E and the ClimateSmart program are excited to announce our fifth Request for Proposals (RFP) for ClimateSmartTM Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Projects. The RFP can be downloaded at the following link, under the heading "2009 ClimateSmart Request for Proposal No. 5656."

PG&E seeks proposals from projects for new systems or activities which reduce, avoid, or sequester greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to apply towards our commitment to be in contract for at least 1,500,000 tons of GHG emission reductions. To date, the ClimateSmart program has secured contracts with four GHG emissions reduction projects: three forestry and one livestock methane.

ClimateSmart RFP

Back to Top

National Urban and Community Forestry Special Focus Challenge Cost Share Grants Due June 5, 2009.
Posted: Apr 24, 2009

NUCFAC GRANT INFORMATION

Back to Top

A second life for toppled trees
Posted: Jan 6, 2009

In Santa Barbara, Rob Bjorklund makes unique furniture out of 'awesome logs' that otherwise would be cut for firewood or buried in a landfill. By Steve Chawkins. January 5, 2009. LA Times Full article linked below...

A second life for toppled trees

Back to Top

Mysterious Pest Killing Oak Trees in Southern California
Posted: Sep 22, 2008

Agrilus coxalis is killing oak trees by the thousands in Southern California, according to a new report by the U.S. Forest Service. Forest Service entomologists previously had not linked the Agrilus coxalis to tree deaths in the region. The beetle is so rare that it doesn't have an accepted common name, and forest officials don't know how to stop its spread.

Pest Alert - Agrilus coxalis

Back to Top

Deadline for NUCFAC Grants Extended to Oct 12, 2007
Posted: Sep 17, 2007

Please note, that the 2008 Pre-proposal due date for NUCFAC grants has been extended to October 12, 2007, due to a delay in the hardcopy mailouts beyond our control. A letter will be going out to the hard copy mail list informing them of the extension. Please share this with with your interested parties. Those that have already submitted their applications will not have to resubmit.

Posted: Mar 23, 2007

Exotic beetle found in urban areas of Southern California

Back to Top

American Forests in search of tree planting projects
Posted: Nov 28, 2006

2007 Tree Planting Grants Available

Back to Top

Home Depot Announces The Second Annual Awards of Excellence for Community Trees
Posted: Nov 7, 2006

The Home Depot Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, is proud to announce the opening of the application period for the Second Annual Awards of Excellence for Community Trees. The Home Depot Foundation believes that the urban forest is one of the essential building blocks for healthy, livable communities impacting our social, environmental, economic and overall well being. In addition, we strongly believe that the simple act of planting a tree has the power to be the catalyst for significant ecological improvements and profound community change.

Home Depot Foundation - Awards of Excellence

Back to Top

Exotic Parasitic Plant Detected in Sacramento County
Posted: Jul 10, 2006

This leafless, stringy, pale to bright yellow parasitic vine recently discovered on host plants and trees in several Sacramento County neighborhoods is called Japanese dodder. Its scientific name is Cuscuta japonica. The plant has been found on both residential and public property including on a tree along Interstate 80 near Raley Blvd.

Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner Frank Carl says his office is assessing the extent of the infestation so that an eradication plan can be implemented. "We are asking for the public's help to report any suspected sightings of Japanese dodder," says Carl.

Suspected Japanese dodder sightings may be reported to the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioners Pest Hotline at (916) 875-6744 (recording 24 hours a day), or by emailing Deputy Agricultural Commissioner Dave Wilson at Wilsond@Saccounty.net.

The Japanese dodder is a non-native aggressive species that is spread by seed and vegetatively, and can quickly move to other host plants. Once a seed or growing tip finds a host, it sends root-like structures called haustoria into the host's limbs, sucking out water and nutrients. Severe infestations can kill host plants. Japanese dodder attacks full-grown trees including many of our California native and agricultural fruit trees. It is not yet known how the Sacramento County infestations occurred, however it is suspected seeds, which purportedly have medicinal properties in Asian cultures, may have been imported illegally and inadvertently spread. There is a federal quarantine against importing Japanese dodder plants or viable seed.

Residents of other counties should contact their Countys Agricultural Commissioner.

Japanese Dodder Flyer

Back to Top

San Diego Urban Ecosystem Analysis After the Cedar Fire
Posted: Feb 6, 2006

American Forests releases post fire analysis for the San Diego area.

Urban Ecosystem Analysis - San Diego, CA - Calculating the Value of Nature 2003
pdf icon

San Diego Urban Ecosystem Analysis After the Cedar Fire - American Forests 2006

Back to Top

Group Prepares 'Champion' Tree Clones To Replenish Watersheds
Posted: Nov 15, 2005

November 14, 2005 - By John Flesher, Associated Press
www.enn.com/today.html?id=9243

LELAND, Mich. - Michigan's "state champion" white poplar, its trunk a whopping 20 feet in circumference, stands just off the main street of this tourist village.
For picture-snapping gawkers, the location is ideal.
For the tree, it's a curse -- or should be.
Cars and pedestrians compact the soil around the 100-foot-high poplar. Asphalt and a wooden boardwalk cover its roots, robbing them of rainwater. With no buffer between it and nearby Lake Michigan, the tree absorbs the brute force of November gales, winter blizzards, summer squalls.
"One of the worst situations you can put a tree in," said David Milarch, co-founder of Champion Tree Project International, which seeks out the biggest and oldest trees and produces clones from their buds.
Yet the poplar, well over a century old, is thriving. While some might argue it's just been lucky, Milarch believes superior genes explain its extraordinary staying power. Trees in urban settings often live less than a decade, he said.
This one is among two dozen giants in northern Michigan that his organization has begun cloning in hopes of inspiring restoration of "urban forests" across the nation.
The collection ranges from the black willow to the American beech and cottonwood, plus a variety of maples and oaks -- native species nearly anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon line, Milarch said. But in many cities, landscape architects plant trees from foreign environments that are aesthetically pleasing but don't perform the ecological functions of the stalwart natives, he said.
"Trees are a natural filtering system that cleans the air and water," said Milarch, an arborist from Copemish who established the Champion Tree Project with his son, Jared, in 1996. "It's time to learn from our mistakes and rebuild and reforest our watersheds."
The project has cloned about 125 species, snipping off newly grown buds and using them to make genetically identical copies. Most have received state or national champion designations from botanical organizations for their dimensions.
Cloned champions have been planted on university campuses and historic sites such as George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. But the project's ultimate goal is to slowly bring back the native forests that were cleared for cities and suburbs in watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay and Detroit's Rouge River.
Earlier this year, Lawrence Tech University said it would plant champion clones on its Southfield campus to help reforest the Rouge watershed. The first trees in an eventual "boulevard of champions" were planted on Arbor Day in Farmington Hills, Milarch said.
Now the project wants to plant clones from the northern Michigan collection on their home turf -- the Boardman River watershed in the northwestern Lower Peninsula, making it a model of urban forest restoration.
Milarch has approached officials about planting clusters of clones in open spaces along Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City. Town leaders and university researchers are discussing options for sprucing up a 2-mile stretch of waterfront along the Lake Michigan bay but haven't committed to the champion tree idea.
"We're still having public meetings to determine what the community would like," city planning director Russ Soyring said. "It can be a sensitive issue when you talk about putting up anything along the waterfront that might obstruct the view."
Milarch said lower limbs can be pruned as the trees grow to protect the prized bay vistas. But he contends aesthetic concerns are far outweighed by the ecological value of trees, which serve the same cleansing function for a watershed as a filter does for an aquarium.
Leaves absorb atmospheric pollutants from tailpipes and smokestacks, said Neil Hendrickson, a technician with Bartlett Tree Research Lab, based in Charlotte, N.C. Root systems remove toxins in groundwater. Decaying leaves and other organic waste matter in the forest soil act as "a giant sponge," sopping up contaminants in rainwater before they soak into the ground.
"It's not just the tree, it's the mini-ecosystem that the tree represents above and below ground," Hendrickson said.
Young, rapidly growing trees take in the biggest volume of pollutants, bolstering the case for planting large numbers in urban areas, he said.
Care must be taken to select trees suited to local conditions -- soil type, climate, availability of water and nutrients, said Burton Barnes, professor of forest ecology at the University of Michigan.
"It's difficult to move trees too far out of their range without changing their habits," Barnes said. "The rule is that the local source is best."
The Champion Tree Project will continue gathering buds for its northern Michigan collection this fall, with funding help from Grand Rapids philanthropist Peter Wege. Some of the earliest clones, obtained a couple of years ago, could be ready for planting next spring if suitable locations are found.
About 30,000 champion clones have been grown at more than a dozen nurseries around the country -- a fraction of what will be needed to reforest large regions. They typically cost about 25 percent more than other nursery stock of the same species, Milarch said.
A challenge will be convincing people that champions are worth the extra money. Milarch acknowledges his theory of their genetic superiority is unproven. Some forest researchers say it's plausible, while others say location and random fortune may matter more.
"If we don't preserve the genetics of these trees, we'll never find out," Milarch said, gazing upward at the sprawling white poplar in Leland.
"The experts say this isn't a good choice for a street tree. Well, against all the odds, this sucker's a champion. This is what we need to rebuild the filter in our cities, the proven champions."
Source: Associated Press
*** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed, without profit, for research and educational purposes only. ***

Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Grants
Posted: Nov 4, 2005

Funds Available from the California Integrated Waste Management Board as part of a new Tire-Derived Product Grant program. This will allow you to receive a grant of up to $100,000 for Rubbersidewalks made from tire rubber with no "match" required. This is a great opportunity to save trees and provide a safer sidewalk. Please visit their web site at www.ciwmb.ca.gov./tires/grants. Rubbersidewalks modular paving is a premium product that satisfies the grant requirements and benefits you in numerous ways. Rubbersidewalks reduce sidewalk maintenance costs, eliminate trip and fall lawsuits, and save urban trees. Rubbersidewalks are made from 100% recycled California tire rubber, ground into "crumb" and then heat-molded into non-breakable sidewalk tiles. Each square foot uses .88 tire, or 4.4 tires per 5 square foot paver. Please visit our website at Rubbersidewalks.com to learn more about the product and see current installations. Rubbersidewalks are ADA compliant and are currently installed in over 50 California cities as part of their sidewalk maintenance programs. If you already use Rubbersidewalks, this is an opportunity for you to expand your program. The CIWMB grant program will pay the entire cost of Rubbersidewalks material. 2,850 square feet of Rubbersidewalks uses 2500 tires, the grant minimum requirement. A typical installation, including all materials, tax, freight and labor (break-out, prep and installation) is $14 to $17 per square foot. The CIWMB grant will offset $8.80 per square foot of those costs. The deadline for submittal of grant application is November 10. Please feel free to contact us via email or by phone for more information and application support. In addition, we have contracted the services of an experienced grant writer who can assist you in preparing your application. Also please forward this information to any city official contacts.

Rubberized Asphalt Concrete Grants

Back to Top

National Forests in Southern California release their land and resource management plans
Posted: Sep 26, 2005

The four National Forests in Southern California have released their land and resource management plans (link to http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/lmp/). There are four goals for COMMUNITY PROTECTION: Goal 1.1: Improve the ability of southern California communities to limit loss of life and property and recover from the high intensity wildland fires that are a natural part of this state's ecosystem. Goal: 1.2 - Restore forest health where alteration of natural fire regimes have put human and natural resource values at risk. Goal 1.2.1 Reduce the potential for widespread losses of montane conifer forests caused by severe, extensive, stand replacing fires. Goal 1.2.2 - Reduce the number of acres at risk from excessively frequent fires while improving defensible space around communities. This section includes descriptions of fire regimes, condition classes, and desired conditions. (Part 1 Southern California National Forests Vision, 65 pages, p. 19-29 in paper copy and p. 28-38 in electronic copy, view at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/scfpr/projects/lmp/docs/part1.pdf

Southern California National Forests Land and Resource Management Plans

Back to Top

Seeing Green with Trees multimedia CD-ROM is now available for free from LGEAN
Posted: Sep 19, 2005

The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN), in cooperation with American Forests, hosted a webcast in 2004 called "Seeing Green with Trees: The Economic and Environmental Benefits of Urban Forests." The webcast demonstrated how trees have been used by local governments to meet environmental regulatory requirements, save money, and improve community quality of life. A multimedia CD-ROM of the webcast and fact sheet is now available for free from LGEAN. To order a copy, contact LGEAN at 877. TO-LGEAN or by email at lgean@icma.org Learn more of this topic at www.lgean.org/html/whatsnew.cfm?id=853

California Certified Urban Forester Credential test will be offered October 6
Posted: Aug 15, 2005

The next opportunity to test for the California Certified Urban Forester Credential is October 6 at Lompoc, in conjunction with the CaUFC Annual Meeting. Applications should be postmarked by September 2. You can download an application from the certification page of the California Urban Forests Council web site. In an important change in policy, the Council now allows one retest at no added cost. We hope to see you in October!

GRANTS AWARDED FOR URBAN FORESTRY PROJECTS
Posted: Jul 11, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Liszewski, (530) 757-7332

Davis, CA, June 8, 2005 California ReLeaf announced today that 28 community groups across the state received funding for urban forestry-related projects through the California ReLeaf 2005 Urban Forestry Grant Program. A total of $149,926 was awarded in three funding categories: Education and Outreach, Tree Care, and Tree Planting. Individual grants ranged from $1,000 to $7,500.

The grant recipients are engaging in a variety of projects, including conducting hands-on tree care programs for community residents and planting trees in many underserved locations throughout Californias diverse communities. Healthy urban and community forests directly contribute to the economic, social and environmental health of communities, said Joe Liszewski, California ReLeaf Grant Coordinator. "The funded grants reflect creativity and commitment that mirror the energy and perseverance we see in all the groups we serve across California.

The California ReLeaf Urban Forestry Grant Program is funded through a contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program. A complete list of the 2005 grant recipients can be downloaded from the California ReLeaf website at www.californiareleaf.org.

California ReLeaf works statewide to promote alliances among community-based groups, individuals, industry, and government agencies, encouraging each to contribute to the livability of our cities and the protection of our environment by planting and caring for trees. California ReLeaf serves as the States volunteer coordinator for urban forestry in partnership with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

ISA Releases "Tree Worker Safety" CD
Posted: Jun 6, 2005

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) has released the second CD in its interactive "Introduction to Arboriculture Training Series". The "Tree Worker Safety" CD is the latest development in this new educational resource. The self-paced, highly interactive series of CDs supplements the certification study guide developed by ISA.

The "Tree Worker Safety" CD teaches guidelines regarding safe work practices. Lessons include general safety, climbing, and rigging. The CD uses animated knots and interactive exercises to teach proper techniques. Use of this CD, with completion of the quiz questions, can earn an Arborist 6 Continuing Education Units (CEU's). "Tree Worker Safety" is currently available only in English, but a Spanish version will soon follow.

The training series was designed with adult and non-traditional learners in mind. Adult learners who cannot attend formal classes can utilize this self-paced instruction to help further their arboricultural education. Non-traditional learners who respond best to visual, auditory, and hands-on teaching methods benefit from the detailed graphics and video, the digital audio that enhances the text, and especially the high level of interactivity. The CDs are also designed to provide instant feedback to responces, which engages the learner in the process. Also, the quiz questions are designed to simulate certification tests and help the learner master the objectives for the specific topic.

The "Introduction to Arboriculture: Tree Worker Safety" CD as well as the first in the series "Introduction to Arboriculture: Tree Biology" (available in English and Spanish) are available through the ISA . The third CD in the series "Introduction to Arboriculture: Pruning" is now in development.

For more information on ISA and its educational resources, contact Sharon Lilly or Lisa Butler at (217) 355-9411 or visit the website at www.isa-arbor.com

UPDATE!! California Urban Forest Council (CaUFC) Seeks Administrator
Posted: May 31, 2005

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

SUBJECT: Part I, Application Instructions for Solicitation of: POSITION: ADMINISTRATOR

The California Urban Forest Council (CaUFC) invites interested, experienced and qualified firms or individuals to submit written Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for the recruitment and selection of an Administrator.

The contact within the Council is Mr. Andrew Trotter (714) 991-1900 ex 109

The RFQ package is a three-part document and contains the following:
- Summary of the CaUFC Administrator recruitment and selection
- Description of general information and background
- Description of job duties
- CaUFC's RFQ process
- Selection criteria
- Submittal deadline and the proposed tentative schedule.

Additional information about CaUFC can be found on its website at www.caufc.org.

Statements of Qualifications must specify a person who will serve as the point of contact with CaUFC and that contact's telephone number and e-mail address.

Five (5) copies of the firm's or individual's SOQ must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 15th , 2005.

The envelope containing the SOQ must be sealed and marked with the following:
- Name of the firm or individual
- The submittal deadline
- The words "Statement of Qualifications for CaUFC Administrator Recruitment and Selection"

The sealed envelope containing five (5) copies of the firm's or individual's SOQ can either be:

Delivered to: Mr. Andrew Trotter, 2200 East Via Burton St.,Anaheim, California 92806

OR

Mailed to: Mr. Andrew Trotter, 2200 East Via Burton St.,Anaheim, California 92806

Qualified firms or individuals will be invited to participate in an interview panel of CaUFC representatives and may be asked to provide a short presentation. CaUFC reserves the right to reject any and all submittals and to waive any irregularities and/or informalities in the evaluation process. This RFQ does not obligate CaUFC to pay any costs incurred by respondents in the preparation and submission of qualifications.

CaUFC is committed to a program of equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin or disability.

Dated: ______________________, 2005
************************************************************************************
The California Urban Forest Council (CaUFC) invites interested, experienced and qualified firms or individuals to submit written Statements of Qualifications (SOQs) for the recruitment and selection of an Administrator.

Do to the need for budget clarification CaUFC will be extending the RFQ until June 15 2005.

The current annual budget is $45,000

Please forward to interested parties,
Thanks
Andy Trotter
Personnel Chair CaUFC

Update on the "prevailing wage" issue for volunteers.
Posted: Sep 7, 2004

AB 2690 (Hancock) - will allow volunteers to work on public works without the project being liable for paying prevailing wages. The bill was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger earlier this week and it takes effect immediately. The bill's provisions are retroactive to cover volunteer work performed since January 1, 2002. A coalition of interest groups, organized by the Urban Creeks Council of California and the California Watershed Network did a great job advocating for the bill. Lobbyist Vern Goehring worked on the bill with the coalition.

Municipal Tree Management Report
Posted: May 2, 2004

A searchable electronic summary of the Municipal Tree Management report is available from Davey Resource Group. Send your request to Ward Peterson at wpeterson@davey.com . I will email a compressed copy of the program.
Ward Peterson, Davey Resource Group

No Safe Arbor in the City
Posted: Mar 8, 2004

By John Balzar Times Staff Writer March 8 2004
Trees are disappearing from urban areas. Most people don't realize the significance of the loss, but one man is fighting for a place in the shade. Eric Oldar doesn't have to go far to find the alarming evidence. He lifts his sizable 6-foot-5 frame out of his office chair, walks 20 paces to the door, steps outside and glumly eyes the culprit: a spindly crape myrtle tree. A whole row of them bordering the Riverside parking lot.

No Safe Arbor in the City

Back to Top

Action Plan for California's Environment
Posted: Oct 22, 2003

pdf icon

Schwarzenegger Environmental Policy Briefing.pdf

Back to Top

Study shows massive tree loss in U.S. cities
Posted: Sep 19, 2003

By Reuters
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - U.S. cities have lost more than 20 percent of their trees in the past 10 years, due primarily to urban sprawl and highway construction, an environmental group said Wednesday. The vast tree loss contributes to environmental and health problems that have cost an estimated $234 billion, the group American Forests said in a study released at the annual National Urban Forest Conference. "America's cities are developing a huge tree deficit," said American Forests Vice President Gary Moll. He said a four-year study of 448 urban areas using satellite imaging to compare with a similar study 10 years ago found 21 percent less tree canopy. "Trees preserve our water and prevent flooding," Moll said. "They remove pollution from the air. They cool the environment and reduce the need for air conditioning." He said the loss of trees had contributed to a rise in respiratory diseases in the United States. The report said urban deforestation was a problem across the country but was especially bad in fast-growing cities in the Sun Belt. Moll cited Atlanta as the worst urban area for tree loss, while Charlotte, N.C., and San Diego were the two best. "Charlotte looked at Atlanta's experience and decided they didn't want to follow it," he said. American Forests urged cities, real estate developers, and individuals to protect forests and called for replacing 10 percent of the lost tree cover by the planting of 1.7 billion trees over the next 10 years. "Everybody needs to include green information into their decision making," Moll said. "It's simple: don't create areas where trees can't grow."
Source: Reuters

San Diego's urban forest lost 27 percent tree cover between 1985 - 2002
Posted: Jul 8, 2003

SAN DIEGO
According to a new study by conservation organization American Forests, San Diego, California's urban forest lost 27 percent of its tree cover between 1985 and 2002. Using high-resolution imagery, American Forests found that the City of San Diego currently has 13 percent tree cover...far short of the 25 percent recommended for this ecosystem. This study represents the first regional vegetation analysis for the State of California...and may well represent a common picture for other major metro centers in California. For more details of the study, see www.amfor.org under the subheading of "Regional Vegetation Analysis" ...San Diego study.
Eric Oldar
Regional Field Specialist
Urban & Community Forestry
CA Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection

Trees for the Millennium
Posted: Apr 27, 1999

Governor Davis' Initiative for the Urban Forests of California