Arbor Day Foundation Honors Top Tree Planters and Conservation Groups for 2011 - Nebraska City, NE - Nebraska City News-Press
The nation’s exemplary tree planters and environmental stewards received National Arbor Day Awards for inspiring others to plant and care for trees. The Arbor Day Foundation, the nation’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees, gave out 16 Arbor Day Awards during its annual awards banquet on Saturday, April 30, at Arbor Day Farm’s Lied Lodge & Conference Center.
Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has paid tribute to some of the world’s most dedicated tree planters. Arbor Day Awards honor individuals, organizations, conservation groups and corporations that make a positive impact on the world through tree-planting, and environmental or nature education initiatives.
“When we honor tree planters for the work they do today, we are commemorating the benefits they are leaving for future generations,” said John Rosenow, chief executive and founder of the Arbor Day Foundation. “This group of Arbor Day Award winners is leaving a lasting legacy through the simple act of planting trees and caring for the Earth.”
The Arbor Day Foundation presented Anne Hallum of the Alliance for International Reforestation in Deland, Fla., the J. Sterling Morton Award, the highest honor given by the Arbor Day Foundation. Hallum founded her nonprofit organization to help people in Guatemala by establishing a better, more sustainable quality of life through tree-planting.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Dear Philly Tree Canopy: You Can Get Bigger - Philadelphia, PA
Dear Philly Tree Canopy: You Can Get Bigger | NakedPhilly
In an ideal setting, Philadelphia’s air would be cleaner. There would be more trees and more green space, like up to 42K acres—almost half of the city’s area—more. This, according to a December 2010 Parks and Recreation study on the city’s urban tree canopy. Urban canopy is “a vital asset that reduces storm-water runoff, improves air quality, reduces the City’s carbon footprint, enhances quality of life, contributes to savings on energy bills, and serves as habitat for wildlife,” the authors write. Made possible by an America Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant through the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station, the report found one-fifth of the City of Brotherly Love, less than 20K acres, was covered by green space. Chinatown, North and South Philadelphia have the least amount of greenery, with only 3 percent. The Wissahickon and Pennypack Park neighborhoods boast the highest existing tree canopy at 83 percent and 81 percent, respectively. “Possible areas” refers to locations that are already open fields or vacant lots, or impervious spaces like roofs or asphalt that could be altered to include trees and gardens. In the Girard estates neighborhood, only 8 percent compared to a possible 59 percent tree canopy is utilized. While the study illustrates up to 20K acres of unused potential green space, sadly, that number is not entirely realistic. “Planting new trees on much of this land may not be socially desirable, (e.g. recreation fields) or financially feasible (e.g. parking lots),” the study’s authors advise. “Setting a realistic goal requires a detailed feasibility assessment.”
In an ideal setting, Philadelphia’s air would be cleaner. There would be more trees and more green space, like up to 42K acres—almost half of the city’s area—more. This, according to a December 2010 Parks and Recreation study on the city’s urban tree canopy. Urban canopy is “a vital asset that reduces storm-water runoff, improves air quality, reduces the City’s carbon footprint, enhances quality of life, contributes to savings on energy bills, and serves as habitat for wildlife,” the authors write. Made possible by an America Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant through the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station, the report found one-fifth of the City of Brotherly Love, less than 20K acres, was covered by green space. Chinatown, North and South Philadelphia have the least amount of greenery, with only 3 percent. The Wissahickon and Pennypack Park neighborhoods boast the highest existing tree canopy at 83 percent and 81 percent, respectively. “Possible areas” refers to locations that are already open fields or vacant lots, or impervious spaces like roofs or asphalt that could be altered to include trees and gardens. In the Girard estates neighborhood, only 8 percent compared to a possible 59 percent tree canopy is utilized. While the study illustrates up to 20K acres of unused potential green space, sadly, that number is not entirely realistic. “Planting new trees on much of this land may not be socially desirable, (e.g. recreation fields) or financially feasible (e.g. parking lots),” the study’s authors advise. “Setting a realistic goal requires a detailed feasibility assessment.”
Friday, May 6, 2011
NeighbourWoods sets roots for return of the fall program - Kelowna, British Columbia
Kelowna Capital News - NeighbourWoods sets roots for return of the fall program
The City of Kelowna NeighbourWoods program was awarded a TD Green Streets grant in April that will enable the program to run again this fall.
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which provides grants for tree planting, maintenance and educational activities, named Kelowna as one of 23 winning municipalities.
The City of Kelowna NeighbourWoods program was awarded a TD Green Streets grant in April that will enable the program to run again this fall.
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, which provides grants for tree planting, maintenance and educational activities, named Kelowna as one of 23 winning municipalities.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Canary Island palm trees cause a stir in NOMA - Santa Monica, CA
Canary Island palm trees cause a stir in NOMA
NOMA — What if Santa Monica planted a tree, but nobody wanted it?
The seemingly unlikely scenario reared its head in this tree-hugging city when officials told residents of Georgina and Marguerita avenues that dying Canary Island date palms would be replaced with California native sycamore trees.
"We were mildly distressed," said resident Margaret Bach, who also serves on the Landmarks Commission. "Through frantic phone calls and e-mails, we were able to suspend the planting process within days of when they were going to start."
Upset, a group complained at the April 12 City Council meeting, and council directed staff to come back with an information item describing how, exactly, the process had been conducted.
The results of that inquiry, posted to the City Hall website last week, describe a process with little public inquiry and a lot of miscommunication.
NOMA — What if Santa Monica planted a tree, but nobody wanted it?
The seemingly unlikely scenario reared its head in this tree-hugging city when officials told residents of Georgina and Marguerita avenues that dying Canary Island date palms would be replaced with California native sycamore trees.
"We were mildly distressed," said resident Margaret Bach, who also serves on the Landmarks Commission. "Through frantic phone calls and e-mails, we were able to suspend the planting process within days of when they were going to start."
Upset, a group complained at the April 12 City Council meeting, and council directed staff to come back with an information item describing how, exactly, the process had been conducted.
The results of that inquiry, posted to the City Hall website last week, describe a process with little public inquiry and a lot of miscommunication.
Grant will help with inventory of trees - Gainesville, FL
Grant will help with inventory of trees
Gainesville staff members are applying for a grant that will help continue efforts to assess trees around the downtown area.
The Urban & Community Forestry Grant would fund completion of phase two of a citywide tree inventory started in 2006 with Keep Hall Beautiful and the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee.
"We'd like to continue our look at street trees that are impacting the public right-of-way and those that are in the midtown greenway as well as park spaces," said Jessica Tullar, Gainesville's special project manager. "This is an opportunity to build on the database of what we have and include what condition the trees are in."
City staff will use the $6,000 grant to develop a database of significant and historic trees, and Gainesville City Council members may consider a tree ordinance amendment to better balance development and trees in the community.
Gainesville staff members are applying for a grant that will help continue efforts to assess trees around the downtown area.
The Urban & Community Forestry Grant would fund completion of phase two of a citywide tree inventory started in 2006 with Keep Hall Beautiful and the Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee.
"We'd like to continue our look at street trees that are impacting the public right-of-way and those that are in the midtown greenway as well as park spaces," said Jessica Tullar, Gainesville's special project manager. "This is an opportunity to build on the database of what we have and include what condition the trees are in."
City staff will use the $6,000 grant to develop a database of significant and historic trees, and Gainesville City Council members may consider a tree ordinance amendment to better balance development and trees in the community.
Hartford once again is Tree City USA, commits almost $10 million to park rehabilitation - Hartford, CT
NorwalkPlus.com News - Hartford once again is Tree City USA
Mayor Pedro E. Segarra is proud to announce that Hartford has been named a “Tree City USA” for the past year, 2010. This honor was bestowed on only 19 Connecticut communities by the State Department of Environmental Protection in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forestry Service.
This is the 17th time the City of Hartford has earned this distinction. A banner is on display at City Hall, 550 Main Street in Downtown Hartford.
“The timing of this award could not be better. Hartford is in the midst of “Celebrating Our Parks” and beautifying our city by increasing our tree canopy is just a portion of this month-long effort. For far too long, our parks have been neglected. The work we are doing now will help protect and sustain our historic park system so that families can enjoy them for many years to come,” said Mayor Segarra.
In March, the Mayor announced that the city would commit $4.75 million this year, and $5 million next year to rehabilitate and rebuild Hartford’s parks system. This is a major step forward in implementing the initial recommendations made by the Green Ribbon Task Force.
Chris Donnelly, the Urban Forestry Coordinator with the CT DEP noted in a letter to the Mayor that the “Tree City USA” honor is “a testimony to the importance that your community places on trees and the urban forest and shows that Hartford recognizes the need to invest in this vital resource.”
Mayor Pedro E. Segarra is proud to announce that Hartford has been named a “Tree City USA” for the past year, 2010. This honor was bestowed on only 19 Connecticut communities by the State Department of Environmental Protection in conjunction with the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forestry Service.
This is the 17th time the City of Hartford has earned this distinction. A banner is on display at City Hall, 550 Main Street in Downtown Hartford.
“The timing of this award could not be better. Hartford is in the midst of “Celebrating Our Parks” and beautifying our city by increasing our tree canopy is just a portion of this month-long effort. For far too long, our parks have been neglected. The work we are doing now will help protect and sustain our historic park system so that families can enjoy them for many years to come,” said Mayor Segarra.
In March, the Mayor announced that the city would commit $4.75 million this year, and $5 million next year to rehabilitate and rebuild Hartford’s parks system. This is a major step forward in implementing the initial recommendations made by the Green Ribbon Task Force.
Chris Donnelly, the Urban Forestry Coordinator with the CT DEP noted in a letter to the Mayor that the “Tree City USA” honor is “a testimony to the importance that your community places on trees and the urban forest and shows that Hartford recognizes the need to invest in this vital resource.”
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Trees Across Toronto Volunteers Help Grow the Urban Forest - Toronto, Canada
Trees Across Toronto Volunteers Help Grow the Urban Forest
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 30, 2011) - Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, together with Councillor Chin Lee (Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River), the local ward councillor, welcomed approximately 1,000 volunteers today to Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E) for the annual City of Toronto's tree and shrub planting event, Trees Across Toronto.
"Thank you for helping to improve our public green spaces," said Councillor Kelly. "The groves of young trees and shrubs planted today will grow up to become lush wooded areas that provide habitat for wildlife as well as shade and fresh air for future generations of Torontonians."
Hundreds of volunteers also gathered at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (3131 Lake Shore Blvd W.) and McCowan District Park (150 McCowan Rd.) to take part in the planting event. Between the three sites, 4,500 native species trees and shrubs were planted, making a significant contribution to Toronto's urban forest in a single day.
Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Urban Forestry staff selected a range of species for the plantings, with trees and shrubs chosen based on the soil, shade and other environmental conditions specific to each park, as well as the natural history of each area and the needs of wildlife. The aim of the program is to create self-sustaining native plant communities.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - April 30, 2011) - Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40 Scarborough Agincourt), Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee, together with Councillor Chin Lee (Ward 41 Scarborough-Rouge River), the local ward councillor, welcomed approximately 1,000 volunteers today to Milliken Park (5555 Steeles Ave. E) for the annual City of Toronto's tree and shrub planting event, Trees Across Toronto.
"Thank you for helping to improve our public green spaces," said Councillor Kelly. "The groves of young trees and shrubs planted today will grow up to become lush wooded areas that provide habitat for wildlife as well as shade and fresh air for future generations of Torontonians."
Hundreds of volunteers also gathered at Colonel Samuel Smith Park (3131 Lake Shore Blvd W.) and McCowan District Park (150 McCowan Rd.) to take part in the planting event. Between the three sites, 4,500 native species trees and shrubs were planted, making a significant contribution to Toronto's urban forest in a single day.
Parks, Forestry and Recreation's Urban Forestry staff selected a range of species for the plantings, with trees and shrubs chosen based on the soil, shade and other environmental conditions specific to each park, as well as the natural history of each area and the needs of wildlife. The aim of the program is to create self-sustaining native plant communities.
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