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NCSAF Luncheon: August 19 th, 2008 Unique Challenges of the Urban Forest in the District of Columbia By: Jake Reilly, American Forests The August luncheon for the NCSAF, hosted by American Forests, featured Dr. Monica Lear. Dr. Lear is the deputy associate director for Urban Forestry at the D.C. Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). As part of the Department of Transportation, UFA’s primary role is the maintenance and care of street trees in the district, with more than 140,000 tree spaces around the city. The UFA also enforces tree regulations in public spaces, reviews plans and permits for street projects affecting trees, and responds to emergency situations relating to public trees. Dr. Lear focused on some of the unique challenges of the urban forests in the nation’s capital and the innovative initiatives being undertaken by the UFA to ensure a bright future for the district’s public trees. Most of the services administered by the UFA are actually carried out by private contractors, presenting particularly acute problems regarding communication of acceptable practices and timely execution of service needs. Instances of sidewalk displacement have also caused access problems for the pedestrian public, and the placement of street signs in tree boxes introduces new challenges to aesthetically pleasing and ecology friendly urban forestry. In order to combat these problems, the UFA is taking strong action. A new public outreach campaign, complete with billboards and posters, is aimed at informing the public about the value of urban trees. To ensure proper management practices, the 15 urban foresters in the administration are now armed with computer tablets equipped with UFA’s Tree Asset Management System and ArcView software to expedite the monitoring process and present a more holistic picture of DC’s urban forest. Pilot projects using inventive rubber sidewalks are helping to solve the city’s sidewalk problems. These resourceful ideas, along with over 17,000 trees added since 2005, are helping keep DC’s urban forests alive and well. ****************************************************** Trees are Capital to the Nation's Capital: The Urban Forestry Administration and Unique Challenges of the Urban Forest in the District of Columbia August 19, 2008 Dr. Monica Lear, Deputy Associate Director for Urban Forestry, LOCATION: American Forests Since February, 2007 Dr. Lear has served as the Deputy Associate Director for the Urban Forestry Administration (UFA). She is responsible for overseeing many aspects of the urban forestry program. D.C. Mayor Fenty has prioritized tree establishment and maintenance in his efforts to revitalize the District. The Urban Forestry Administration (UFA) provides guidelines regarding basic tree care and concerns and how to avoid problems during construction in and around trees. Since 1999, UFA has planted 14,500 trees, pruned more than 40,000 trees, and removed approximately 7,000 dead or dying trees. UFA has set the stage for greater community outreach and involvement in its operations. As an example, UFA has developed relationships with local public/private partner organizations such as Green Spaces for DC, the Casey Trees Endowment Fund, Community Resources, and others, who are currently involved in tree-related work within DC's neighborhoods. By involving and encouraging community participation in tree planting and care activities, we hope to better educate residents regarding the importance and functional beauty of the District's "green infrastructure." Dr. Lear is a native of Louisiana and earned a Ph.D. in Plant Health from Louisiana State University. In her position she responsible for developing policy that marries current scientific research in urban forestry, horticulture and plant pathology and other disciplines with what can work in a large metropolitan municipal tree department. She also plans and directs the departmental urban forestry programs for removal, pruning, planting, outreach programs and tree preservation performed by staff and contractual support staff and plans and conducts community meetings with citizens and political stakeholders. Dr. Lear is responsible for researching and implementing new arboricultural techniques for the maintenance and protection of trees in the District and determine appropriate tree species for street tree plantings and implements appropriate integrated pest management options. Additionally, she is responsible for securing and managing applicable urban forestry core federal grants from USDA Forest Service. As needed she represents the State Forester of the District of Columbia at regional and national state forestry meetings and advise the State Forester on appropriate positions for policies developed by the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters and the National Association of State Foresters. LUNCH : A catered lunch will be provided. The cost is $14 per person. Please RSVP by NOON, MONDAY, AUGUST 18 to Terri Bates, batesmt@verizon.net |
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