California ReLeaf » Advocacy

Trees in the Way?

Ashley — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:00:29 +0000

As long as there have been billboards, trees have been getting in the way. And billboard companies have been removing them — sometimes legally, sometimes not. News archives are replete with accounts of mysterious tree disappearances near billboard sites. Usually, no one gets caught, due to lack of evidence or to officials failing to aggressively pursue those responsible.

An in-depth article covers the history and current issues involved in tree cutting near billboards.

State Opposes Fed on Clearing Trees on Levees

Ashley — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:00:09 +0000

A piece from The California Report on the battle to keep trees on California’s levees:

A New Tree at the Capitol

Ashley — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 00:12:51 +0000

Today, California ReLeaf, Sacramento Tree Foundation, and the Western Chapter of the International Society of Aboriculture joined Assemblymember Roger Dickinson and other members of the state legislature to dedicate a new tree in Capitol Park. The Valley Oak was planted just south of the rose garden.

In other Capitol news, Governor Brown issued a proclamation recognizing March 7th as Arbor Day in California. He led the proclamation with the poem “Green and Gold” by Gary Snyder. To read the full proclamation, visit the governor’s website.

Benefits of Trees Backed by Research

Ashley — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:00:47 +0000

We all know trees are beautiful and many of us in the urban and community forestry world can give a laundry list of the other benefits trees provide. Now, Alliance for Community Trees has made it easy for us to refer people to the research that backs up that list of benefits.

ACTrees has compiled a resource list of the many scientifically-proven benefits of trees in a single document. Grouped by category, the benefits and corresponding studies speak to the enormous value of urban and community trees. Click here to view the document.

California to sue feds over levee trees

joe — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:37:31 +0000

The state of California will join environmental groups in a lawsuit against the federal government to protect trees growing on levees.

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.

Governor Brown Signs Volunteer Bill

joe — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:32:07 +0000

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.

Webinar: Red Fields to Green Fields

joe — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:53:51 +0000

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 info@cityparksalliance.org by COB Friday, August 26.

Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests: A National Call to Action

Ashley — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:43:48 +0000

In April 2011, the U.S. Forest Service and non-profit New York Restoration Project (NYRP) convened the Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action task force outside of Washington, DC. The three-day workshop addressed the future of our nation’s urban forests and ecosystems; incorporating the health, environmental, social and economic benefits they bring to sustainable and vibrant cities. The VCUF task force set out to craft a vision, set of goals and recommendations that will advance urban forestry and natural resources stewardship into the next decade and beyond.

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 value forests!

kathleen — Wed, 04 May 2011 17:30:26 +0000

A nationwide survey commissioned by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) was recently completed to assess key public perceptions and values related to forests. The new results reveal a striking consensus among Americans:

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.

Legislature Makes Arbor Week Official

joe — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:07:14 +0000

California Arbor Week was celebrated from March 7-14 throughout the state this year, and thanks to the help of Assemblyman Roger Dickinson (D – Sacramento) will continue to be recognized for years to come.

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.