The state Department of Fish and Game announced Wednesday it will join the federal lawsuit, initiated earlier this year by Sacramento-based Friends of the River.

The suit challenges a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers policy that bans trees on levees, on grounds that trees undermine levee stability and maintenance practices.

“If adhered to, the policy will do incredible damage to California’s remaining riparian and adjacent riverine ecosystem, especially in the Central Valley,” said Fish and Game Director Charlton Bonham.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/10/4045525/california-to-sue-feds-over-levee.html#ixzz1eMWBOL9c

Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 587 (Gordon and Furutani) on September 6th, which now extends the current prevailing wage exemption for volunteers through 2017.  This was the priority legislation for the urban forestry community this year, and is essential to preserving the rights of all Californians to donate their time and spirit to a spectrum of resource conservation activities, critical tree care and tree planting projects. California ReLeaf Network groups and their partners provided strong support for this bill throughout the legislative session, which helped make a difference.

Thanks to everyone for making this effort such a huge success.

Facilitator: Kathy Blaha, Kathy Blaha Consulting

To RSVP, please send an email to info@cityparksalliance.org by COB Friday, August 26.

The 25 individuals who comprise the task force include the nation’s most visionary and respected municipal and state officials, national and local non-profit leaders, researchers, urban planners, and foundation and industry representatives. The members of the task force were selected from a pool of more than 150 nominations. To view a list of the task force members, click here.

In preparation for the workshop, task force members participated in weekly webinars that addressed the history of the U.S. Forest Service’s support of urban and community forestry programs and best practices in urban forests and ecosystems as well as engaged in a discussion of their aspirations and goals for the future of our cities.

Over the course of the April workshop, the task force members began developing a comprehensive set of recommendations that span across seven broad themes:

1. Equity

2. Knowledge and research for decision-making and evaluation

3. Collaborative and integrated planning at a metropolitan regional scale

4. Engagement, education and awareness to action

5. Building capacity

6. Realignment of resources

7. Standard and best practices

These recommendations – to be refined and finalized over the next several months – promote environmental justice, support urban ecosystems research, encourage cross- agency and organization collaboration in green infrastructure planning, and suggest ways to grow a sustainable green jobs workforce, establish consistent funding resources and educate citizens and youth to encourage stewardship and environmental action. The task force will furthermore use current urban forests and ecosystems best practice models to frame a set of Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests standards that will work towards the realization of all of the recommendations.

• Voters strongly value the nation’s forests, especially as sources of clean air and water.
• Voters have an increased appreciation for the economic benefits provided by forests- such as good-paying jobs and essential products – than they were in previous years.
• Voters also recognize a variety of serious threats facing America’s forests, like wildfires and harmful insects and diseases.

Given these factors, seven out of ten voters support maintaining or increasing efforts to protect forests and trees in their state.Among the key specific findings of the poll are the following:

• Voters continue to value the nation’s forests highly, particularly as sources of clean air and water and places for wildlife to live. The survey found most voters are personally familiar with the nation’s forests: two-thirds of voters (67%) say they live within ten miles of a forest or wooded area. Voters also report engaging in various recreational activities that may bring them to forests. These include: viewing wildlife (71% of voters say they do this “frequently” or “occasionally”), hiking on outdoor trails (48%), fishing (43%), overnight camping (38%), hunting (22%), using off-road vehicles (16%), snow-shoeing or cross-country-skiing (15%), and mountain biking (14%).

More information and statistics from this survey can be found at the National Association of State Foresters website.  A copy of the full survey report can be viewed by clicking here.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10 (ACR 10) was introduced by Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, sponsored by California ReLeaf and passed by both the Assembly and Senate last week to proclaim March 7-14 of each year as California Arbor Week, urging California residents to observe the week with appropriate tree planting activities and programs.

“I am proud to have been a part of a tremendously successful California Arbor Week” said Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, “The benefits of the increased activism from our plantings, education, and preservation will last for generations in our communities, forests, and our hearts.”

Research shows that trees clear pollution from the air, catch significant rainwater, add to property values, cut energy use, increase commercial activity, reduce stress, improve neighborhood safety and enhance recreation opportunities.

Over 50 events and celebrations occurred around the state this year, from Eureka to San Diego, and California ReLeaf is raising money to support tree-planting initiatives and local organizations for 2012’s celebrations. Click here to read the full text of Resolution ACR 10, and visit www.arborweek.org for more information.

Assemblymember Roger Dickinson, representing the 9th District, introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 10 (ACR 10) to officially designate March 7-14 as California Arbor Week.  ACR 10 urges California residents to observe March 7-14 each year as California Arbor Week.  Trees are a vital resource to to our communities and serve as an important link with nature for California’s residents.

The United Nations Forum on Forests was established in October 2000 to promote and strengthen long-term commitments to the management, conservation and sustainable development of forests. The UNFF is composed of all member states of the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

Mayor Espinosa gets help from 3-year-old Elijah-Re Jones to plant a ceremonial Cedar of Lebanon tree at the Canopy awards ceremony. Credit: Aaron Selverston

Dozens of families, numerous former mayors of Palo Alto, and Canopy volunteers made up a crowd of about 100 people at Canopy’s annual awards ceremony. This year’s ceremony was held on Tu Bishvat, the Jewish holiday for trees, adding a special significance for many of the attendees.

Palo Alto Mayor Sid Espinosa planted a Cedar of Lebanon at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center with the help of several children in attendance at the ceremony.

In praise of Canopy, Mayor Espinosa said, “Canopy makes sure that hundreds [of trees] are planted -hundreds more than were cut down – all over this city.”

For complete RSVP and event information, see our flyer here.