Sacramento, CA, September 1, 2011 – California ReLeaf announced today that nine community groups across the state will receive a total of over $50,000 in funding for urban forestry tree-planting projects through the California ReLeaf 2011 Tree-Planting Grant Program.  Individual grants ranged from $3,300 to $7,500.

Virtually every region in the state is represented by these grant recipients that are engaging in a variety of tree-planting projects that will enhance through urban forestry  California communities extending from the city streets of Eureka to underserved areas in Los Angeles County.  “Healthy urban and community forests directly contribute to the economic, social and environmental health of California,” said Chuck Mills, California ReLeaf Grants Program Manager.  “Through their funded proposals, these nine grant recipients reflect a creativity and commitment to making our state a better place to live for this generation and generations to come.”

The California ReLeaf Tree-Planting Grant Program is funded through a contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.  A complete list of the 2011 grant recipients can be downloaded from the California ReLeaf website at www.californiareleaf.org.

“ReLeaf is proud to be an integral part of building community through tree-planting projects in California,” said Executive Director Joe Liszewski.  “Since 1992, we have invested more than $6.5 million in urban forestry efforts geared towards greening our Golden State.  We are especially excited to see several of these grant recipients volunteering to work with us this year to measure many of their projects’ healthy community contributors by utilizing cutting-edge software that will quantify air quality and energy conservation benefits. ”

California ReLeaf’s mission is to empower grassroots efforts and build strategic partnerships that preserve, protect, and enhance California’s urban and community forests.  Working statewide, we 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.

If you have a passion for trees, are an experienced manager, and enjoy working with volunteers, this may be a great opportunity for you.

Tree Fresno is seeking a CEO who can lead the Board, staff and volunteers in achieving the organization’s mission of “Enriching the quality of life in the Fresno region with the addition of trees and trails.”

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 4 years management experience, preferably with a non-profit; some CEO experience preferred; some higher-level education, 4-year degree in business preferred . Demonstrated ability in a) fundraising, b) developing/presenting impactful presentations, c) developing/analysing/managing budgets, d) managing multiple projects, e) marketing/educating, f) energizing/motivating staff and volunteers. Excellent computer skills including proficiency in MS Office and Power Point.

Job Duties include:

• Lead the staff, Board and volunteers in carrying out the mission, and achieving the vision of Tree Fresno

• Manage staff in the daily duties necessary to accomplishing specific goals

• Manage financials, identifying variances to budget

• Marketing and ensuring the high visibility of Tree Fresno to the community

• Fundraising, including grant writing (or identifying grant opportunities and overseeing the writing of grants); identifying/contacting potential donors

• Membership development

• Overseeing writing of monthly newsletter

• Managing multiple projects and overseeing events

• Engaging volunteers, motivating them to participate

• Participating as a member of Tree Fresno Board of Directors

• Educating community regarding the importance of trees/trails; and advocating on behalf of the work that Tree Fresno does

Excellent salary with benefits package included. DOE. Send resume to moc.tnemeganam-rhnull@htuR

The redwood tree and the wine grapevine are both iconic in Northern California. Two wineries are petitioning the state to let them clear redwoods and Douglas firs to make room for new Pinot Noir vineyards. Environmentalists want the trees protected.

For the full article from the L.A. Times, click here.

Red Fields to Green Fields is a national research effort led by Georgia Tech Research Institute in partnership with the City Parks Alliance to evaluate the potential impacts of converting financially and/or physically distressed commercial real estate to land banks — and ultimately greenspace and parks.  The initiative has the potential to create jobs, stabilize the housing market and create more sustainable communities while unlocking bad debt frozen in banks.  Studies have been conducted in 11 U.S. cities including Atlanta, Cleveland, Detroit, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Wilmington, and Hilton Head Island. The project has involved 14 universities and numerous non-profit, municipal, state, and federal agencies and is supported by the Speedwell Foundation. For more information, see www.rftgf.org.

Facilitator: Kathy Blaha, Kathy Blaha Consulting

To RSVP, please send an email to gro.ecnaillaskrapyticnull@ofni by COB Friday, August 26.

The Conference

Join municipal arborists, urban forest managers, landscape design professionals, planners, and non-profits from across California for this unique educational and networking experience in Palo Alto. With a focus on utilizing urban forestry to revitalize California’s communities, participants will leave the conference with tools to improve the areas where the majority of Californian’s live, work and play. We’ll discuss: community revitalization, nontraditional funding sources, best management practices, species selection, tree pruning and much more!

The Friday afternoon sessions will include two separate tracks – one specifically for non-profits and another geared towards municipalities.

Agenda

Accommodations

Participants are encouraged to stay at our conference location, the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel Palo Alto. Participants can receive a special conference rate of $139 per night by booking their stay here and entering the Group Code: A4M.

Registration fees also include breakfast on both mornings of the conference, lunch on Friday and a reception on both nights of the conference.

Travel

Palo Alto can easily be reached by car, plane or train. For driving directions to the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, click here.

For those planning to fly, the closest airport is Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC). You can also fly into San Francisco International Airport (SFO) or Oakland International Airport (OAK).

If you’d like to take the train, Amtrak has several routes that go through Palo Alto.

Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered through the International Society of Aboriculture. Conference participants can receive up to nine CEUs for participating in conference sessions. Participants must fill out the appropriate paperwork after conference sessions to receive credit.

Cancellations

Participants can receive a full refund until two weeks prior to the event. After that point, they can receive a partial refund. There are no refunds for the Pruning Workshop unless your spot is filled.