Conference Agenda

• Monday, November 14, 2011

  Pre-conference Opportunities

  College campus grounds managers, landscape architects, facilities directors, students, and nonprofit leaders, join us for the Tree Campus Canopy Summit held at the University of Central Florida.

  • 8:00–5:30—Alliance for Community Trees Member Rally
  • 8:30–4:00—Tree Campus Canopy Summit
  • 12:00–5:00—Conference Early Check-in

• Tuesday, November 15, 2011

  • 7:30–8:30am—Continental Breakfast
  • 8:30–10:00am

  • General Sessions

    • 8:30–9:00am—Welcome
      • Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation, Lincoln, NE
      • Jim Karels—Florida State Forester, Tallahassee, FL
      • Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orlando, FL
    • 9:00–10:00am—Partners in Community Forestry: The Who and What of Collaboration and Partnership
      • Jan Davis, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC
      • Panel:
        • Lisa Ortega, City of Henderson, NV
        • Bruce Woods, Duquesne Light, Pittsburgh, PA
        • Donna Curtis, Shreveport Green, Shreveport, LA
        • Danielle Fitzko, Vermont Dept. of Forest, Parks & Recreation, Waterbury, VT

  • Concurrent Sessions

    • What Works: Models of Urban Forestry Success

      • 10:30–11:15am—Green Shade—Tree Rebate for Energy Savings

        Paul Johnson, Texas Forest Service, San Antonio, TX

        The Green Shade Tree Rebate program is a partnership and collaboration between several departments of the City of San Antonio, CPS Energy, Texas Forest Service, San Antonio Water System, Alamo Forest Partnership (Regional Urban Forest Council), Department of Energy, Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, and local retail/wholesale nurseries. The presentation will present the planning process which included analysis of many tree distribution models, and detailed description and discussion of the rebate model. We will also discuss the future of this program, including recommended improvements.

      • 11:20–11:55am—Big Idea! Green Tag Event

        Janette Monear, Texas Trees Foundation, Dallas, TX

        Philanthropy World, Ad Giants and Texas Trees Foundation, Home Depot, Chevrolet and TXU Energy will share with the audience the components of the Big Idea! a multi-layered social networking and digital marketing strategy that creates a win-win for a nonprofit and corporate partnership. This presentation will show the audience how to position themselves to create long term partnerships that generate a return on investment. We will show the audience how to better communicate and strategize to maximize their investments for a greener return.

      • 12:05–1:15pm—Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15–2:00pm—Hidden Mickeys and Pointing with Two Fingers: Lessons from a Retired Disney Cast Member

        Brighton West, Friends of Trees, Portland, OR

        Brighton West interned as a cast member in Parks Horticulture at Epcot Center during the summer of 1995. Not only did he learn how to trim topiaries and cut Bermuda grass without scalping it, but he learned the art of "guest service." Brighton will share his "Disney Secrets" and tell you how you can apply these tips to your tree planting program.

      • 2:05–2:50pm—Tree Tenders University Initiative: Building Green Town/Gown Relationships

        Mindy Maslin, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Sue Pringle, UC Green, Philadelphia, PA

        The Tree Tenders University Initiative promotes successful university/ community collaborations through community tree planting and care. Learn how to start your own university partnership to create: stronger “town/gown” relationships; meaningful service-learning opportunities for students; and safer, healthier and more resilient communities and campuses for all.

    • Community Tree Management

      • 10:30–11:15am—An FAQ with NUCFAC, SUFC and VCTF: Who is doing what in this alphabet soup, and what does it mean to you?
        • Moderator: Jan Davis, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC
        • Larry Wiseman, National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, Washington, DC
        • Shannon Ramsay, Trees Forever, Marion, IA
        • Jake Donnay, National Association of State Foresters, Washington, DC
      • 11:20–12:05pm—Cover Your Assets
        • Shirley Trier and Scott Carlin, The Davey Tree Expert Company, Kent, OH
        • Jodie Rodgers, ULC-ITC Transmission, Novi, MI

        Technology has improved the way utilities and government agencies manage their assets. At their fingertips are tools that make it possible to know what assets they own, where they are located, if and how they are being used, their condition, and if they're in violation. With so many assets to manage, how DO you cover your assets? Join in a roundtable discussion with industry experts. Ask questions and get answers about asset inventories and management.

      • 12:05–1:15pm—Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15–2:00pm—Mapping the Urban Forest: PhillyTreeMap
        • Casey Combs, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
        • Carissa Brittain, Azavea, Philadelphia, PA
        • Sarah Low, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Philadelphia, PA

        PhillyTreeMap is a web-based map database of trees in the greater Philadelphia region. The wiki-style database enables non-profits, government, volunteer organizations, and the general public to collaboratively create an accurate and informative inventory of the trees in their communities. PhillyTreeMap was built by Azavea, a Philadelphia-based software design and development firm specializing in GIS technology, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation, and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

      • 2:05–2:50pm—Watershed Urban Forestry: A Seattle Case Study in Modeling Canopy Influences on Hydrology

        Lisa Ciecko, Cascade Land Conservancy, Seattle, WA

        In order to support green infrastructure development and maintenance, it has become increasingly important to quantify the role of urban forests in local watersheds. This presentation explores partnering with local agencies to successfully apply the new i-Tree Hydro model to understand how urban canopy cover influences stream flow and water quality. Results include a comparison of default data and data derived from an i-Tree Eco assessment.

    • Trees in Sustainable Communities

      • 10:30–11:15am—The Rationale and Practice of Funding Community Forestry Through Municipal Infrastructure Budgets

        David Forsell, Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc., and Greg Ballard, City of Indianapolis, IN

        The City of Indianapolis recently contracted Keep Indianapolis Beautiful Inc. to plant and care for new trees. This $700,000 investment is funded through ReBuild Indy, a massive infrastructure improvement program. Presenters will describe the rationale and practice of this partnership, from its ideation to trees being planted and cared for by Indianapolis resident volunteers and our city’s youth.

      • 11:20–12:05pm—Partnering for Compliance Solutions and the Urban Forest Canopy

        Stephen Cieslewicz, CN Utility Consulting, Sebastopol, CA

        Since the 2003 blackout, utility vegetation management programs have been under increased scrutiny by regulatory agencies. Utilities are being mandated to improve reliability and comply with increased regulations of vegetation and power lines, leading to conflict among utilities, customers and communities. Partnerships must be developed among utilities, their contractors and consultants, city arborists and volunteers to educate all stakeholders on new requirements. Collaboration will create compliance solutions that maintain the urban forest canopy.

      • 12:05–1:15pm—Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15–2:00pm—Deflecting the Wave: Can Coastal Vegetation Assist in Mitigating Tsunami and Storm Surge Damage?

        Dr. Andy Kaufman, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI

        Tsunami events have been at the center of the world’s attention with recent events in Japan and the Pacific Rim. These Tsunami events regularly affect the coasts of Pacific islands, in many cases causing severe property damage, injury, and death. While an early warning system and an educated public are essential for an effective tsunami strategy, these systems have limitations. If a tsunami is generated locally there may not be sufficient time for an evacuation. Anecdotal accounts of survivors and research following the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 pointed to a protective role of coastal forests. In January 2010, a team form The Tropical Landscape and Human Interaction Lab at the University of Hawaii recorded tsunami inundation distances, vegetation composition, and damage to structures in cleared and forested coastal areas of Upolu, Samoa which were affected by the September 29, 2009 tsunami. Data collected supports the hypothesis of a protective role of vegetation in reducing damage to structures and coastal areas. Additional benefits of such vegetation may also include protection from storm surge and reduced erosion.

      • 2:05–2:50pm—Sustainable Landscaping Resources for Community Associations

        Beth Corrigan, Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL and John Mesarchik, Naperville Area Homeowners Association, Naperville, IL

        This presentation will describe an innovative partnership of natural resource experts; volunteer homeowner association leaders; and professional property managers who to work together to define landscape stewardship issues and frame them in the context of suburban community association living. Homeowners associations (HOAs) invest readily in the management of trees, plants, vast areas of turf, ponds and wildlife. Tailored and targeted resources will help HOAs retrofit conventional landscapes and manage the urban forest in sustainable ways.

  • 3:20–5:05pm—General Session

    Resiliency and Sustainable Crisis Recovery: Planning through Partnerships
    • Moderator: Tim McDonnell, Kansas Forest Service, Haysville, KS
    • Paul Garmon, Alabama Power, Birmingham, AL
    • Del Barton, City of Lima, OH
    • Steve Shurtz, City of Baton Rouge, LA
    • Missy Stults, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability, Boston, MA

    Learn how urban forest managers from across the country and across the industry have benefitted from the creation of sustainable partnerships in support of their recovery pre-planning and how those partnerships have enabled them to address critical needs during times of crisis, ranging from invasive species to weather-related devestation.

  Networking Event

  November 15, 2011 5:30–7:00 p.m.

  Prepare to relax and unwind while networking with conference attendees. After a full day of learning, step outside and enjoy the sun, food and friendship. The patio awaits you…

  The Networking Event is for all conference attendees and is included with your conference registration. Take advantage of this time to catch up with colleagues, strike up new friendships and of course meet new partners.

  Enjoy exciting food and beverages options. Additional tickets may be purchased for non-conference attendees.

• Wednesday, November 16, 2011

  7:30am—Continental Breakfast with Exhibitors

  General and Concurrent Sessions run 8:00 am–5:00 pm. Sessions include:

  • 8:30–10:00am—General Sessions

    • Welcome

      Carrie Gallagher, Alliance for Community Trees, College Park, MD

    • 8:30–9:15am—Fresh-Squeezed Partnerships from the Sunshine State
      • Moderator: Lee Mackin, City of Winter Park, Florida

      • Panel/Presentation:

        • Celeste White, University of Florida IFAS Extension Orange County, Florida
        • Jan Rahill, Green Up Manager, City of Orlando, Florida
        • Wayne Zimmerman, Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando, FL

        Learn how partnerships allow Orlando’s urban forest managers to more effectively and strategically address collaboration on a daily basis, as well as through hurricane recovery and large scale projects.

    • 9:15–10:00am—How to Talk Trees (Or More Importantly, How NOT To)
      • Paul Ries, Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem, OR
      • Sarah Foster, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA

      How you communicate your knowledge or passion for trees is just as important as what you are saying. These two urban foresters also serve as public information officers, and they will share their communication experiences on a variety of levels. This session will cover developing and delivering key messages, proper and improper use of communication tools and methods including news releases, social media, and PowerPoint, and tips for making your communication effective and memorable.

  • Concurrent Sessions

    • What Works: Models of Urban Forestry Success

      • 10:30–11:15am—Trees Are the Answer, Man is the Question

        Eric Berg, Nebraska Forest Service, Lincoln, NE and Tim McDonnell, Kansas Forest Service, Haysville, KS

        While technological reliance and resources have increased rapidly the ability to create, maintain and manage trees within the landscape has not kept pace. This presentation will take a critical and comedic look at the practices and procedures in the pursuit of sustainable landscapes and will ultimately answer the leading cause of death and decline of trees: man.

      • 11:20–12:05am—Ménage a Tree: A true life tale of passion, power and planting

        Anna Dooley, Greenscape of Jacksonville, Florida

        Economic instability can result in positive outcomes for many non-profits as innovative partnerships are forged to fulfill their missions. This presentation will illustrate one successful case that brought together city government, the municipally owned utility and a not-for-profit organization with a common goal. Oftentimes, these three entities are found to be at odds, but this presentation will focus on a recreateable collaboration that resulted in a significant reforestation project.

      • 12:05-1:15pm-Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15–2:00pm—Don’t Cut My Trees!: How utilities can partner with community leaders

        Cynthia Stump, ITC Transmission, Novi, MI

        Learn how ITC Holdings, the first independent transmission company, has effectively transitioned from trimming to removing incompatible vegetation underneath the high voltage transmission lines by utilizing the relationships that are cultivated by the Local Government and Community Affairs department. We will discuss how collaborating with external partners regarding timelines, communication, and outreach methods has helped ITC achieve a safer and more reliable transmission grid.

      • 2:05–2:50pm—Miami-Dade Red Fields to Green Fields

        Maria I. Nardi, Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation

        Miami-Dade Red Fields to Green Fields is a new initiative to buy distressed real estate, convert it to parks, and create incentives for sustainable future development around new public green space. The initiative is guided by the Parks Masterplan vision’s key land acquisition strategies that address health for the economy, people and the environment. The initiative will be implemented through a partnership of public and private interests dedicated to rescuing underused properties and restoring land as parks.

    • Community Tree Management

      • 10:30–11:15am—Using Partnerships as an IVM Tool

        Bill Conn, Vermont Electric Company, Port Henry, NY

        This presentation will give the listener ideas and techniques on ways to foster partnerships that benefit both the utility and the organization. How it can improve wildlife habitat, improve community perception, and an avenue to educate the public on Integrated Vegetation management (IVM). Examples of projects will be given along with before and after pictures.

      • 11:20–12:05am—Expand Your Influence: Partnering trees and solar panels

        Dan Staley, DCS Consulting Services, Aurora, CO

        Recent events have shown us that trees and solar panels must work together to coexist in a sustainable built environment. Learn how to partner with professionals, property owners, and organizations to successfully integrate tree canopy and solar panels in a variety of built environments and settings. This presentation gives both context and detail to help our built environment partners maximize both solar and tree potential to increase quality of life in cities.

      • 12:05–1:15pm—Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15-2:00pm—Creating an Urban Forest Legacy through Long Range Urban Forest Master Plans

        Walt Warriner, City of Santa Monica, CA

        Urban forest management requires vision beyond the current status of the forest and the extent of its existing management policies. This session covers long term planning strategies for a municipal forestry program with key points being the importance of public input and collaboration between the public and internal staff to create continuity for an urban forest program where consistent control and continual development of the urban forest is maintained, in terms of decades and generations.

      • 2:05-2:50pm—Partners in Watershed Restoration

        Wesley Horner and Sheila Fleming, The Brandywine Conservancy, Chadds Ford, PA

        The Knolls of Birmingham (KOB) is a case study in successful partnerships for community-scale reforestation in a heavily developed suburban area. Riparian areas in this privately-owned open space were reforested with support from both private and public partners including the Brandywine Conservancy, KOB Homeowners Association (HOA), Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and PA Department of Environmental Protection. The reforestation of HOA-owned lands furthers implementation of the Conservancy’s Reforestation Campaign which hopes to inspire action through demonstration projects.

    • Trees in Sustainable Communities

      • 10:30–11:15am—National Best Practices in Green Infrastructure

        Claire Robinson, Amigos de los Rios, Altadena, CA and Melinda Pruett-Jones, Chicago Wilderness, Chicago, IL

        The Metropolitan Greenspaces Alliance is working nationally to foster the development of conservation coalitions in major metropolitan regions: we believe these coalitions serve as an excellent delivery model for green infrastructure implementation & policy. We will share how five metropolitan region coalitions from across the country are moving their complex urban greening agenda forward: Chicago, Houston, Portland, Los Angeles, Cleveland, with a focus on successful partnerships & innovative urban forestry programs developed for urban residents.

      • 11:20–12:05am—Advocating for Trees in Policy and Development

        Maisie Hughes and Scott Brown, Casey Trees, Washington, DC

        New District greening policies that have garnered national attention Learn about how streetscape innovations are increasing canopy, making beautiful spaces while transforming how stormwater is managed Find out how Casey Trees is using trees in bioretention to manage every drop of rainwater at their headquaters Be introduced to Casey Trees' development tracker, the first tool of its kind that provides the user with tree canopy date before and after development, district plans as it relates to that project and a snap shot of development citywide.

      • 12:05–1:15pm—Lunch (provided)
      • 1:15–2:00pm—Supporting Partnerships for Green Cities & Good Health

        Dr. Kathleen Wolf, University of Washington, Bainbridge Island, WA

        Urban greening benefits can be the basis for better partnerships with urban planners and public health professionals. There is extensive scientific knowledge about the health benefits of the human experience of nature. A project has summarized the empirical evidence of extensive socio-cultural benefits, and provides this information as summary essays. We will build on this resource to present guidelines for urban and community planning that enhances nature-based human health and well-being.

      • 2:05–2:50pm—Community-based Approaches to Green Infrastructure—Lessons from Tucson

        James MacAdam, Watershed Management Group, Tucson, AZ

        Tucson-based nonprofit Watershed Management Group uses innovative, integrated, and adaptive community-based approaches to green infrastructure. It does so in a unique context of collaboration between residents, neighborhoods, nonprofits, and government that can provide a model for other communities. In this presentation, James MacAdam will share the organization's community-based model as it has been applied in Tucson and other Southwestern cities, and lead an interactive discussion among participants about the best practices and pitfalls of community-driven approaches to green infrastructure.

  • 3:20-5:05pm—General Session

    • Urban Trees=Clean Water: Managing community forests for community water

      Valuing trees as part of our infrastructure can create a new way for cities to plan for healthy watersheds. Green Infrastructure is an organizing construct for thinking about our natural resources as a critical part of our life support system. By preserving and restoring green infrastructure, we can improve both ecological and economic outcomes and revitalize our communities. This presentation will highlight new approaches for cities, towns and suburbs to value and conserve their green infrastructure where it exists and describe how to restore urban canopy to reconnect and revitalize communities and watersheds.

      Karen Firehock & Rob Northrop

    • Leveraging the Power of Coalition: Priorities and Goals for the Urban Forest from a National Perspective

      Jan Davis, USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC

    • Closing

      Dan Lambe, Arbor Day Foundation, Lincoln, NE

  • Evening Sessions, 5:15–6:00pm

    • The accuracy of inventory data collected by volunteers

      Kelaine Vargas, San Francisco Urban Forest Map, San Francisco, CA.

      Using volunteers to help build an urban forest inventory has many advantages. But how accurate is the information they provide? To answer this question in the context of the SF Urban Forest Map, we compared data provided by novice volunteers with that of tree experts to determine overall accuracy and to identify the particular areas of data collection, if any, they struggled with. The results will be valuable to all engaged in collaborations with volunteers.

    • i-Tree: What’s new and what’s next?

      Scott Maco, Davey Resource Group, Kent, WA, and David Nowak, US Forest Service Northern Research Station, Syracuse, NY

      i-Tree is the leading tool for assessing structure, function and value of urban trees and forests. The i-Tree Tools help communities of all sizes to strengthen their urban forest management and advocacy efforts by quantifying the structure of community forests and the environmental services that trees provide. This User's Group meeting will provide an overview of i-Tree's latest developments and the vision for future development direction. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage i-Tree developers and collaborators with questions and answers.

    • A Community Conversation: Community Forestry into the Future

      Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition

• Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Please join us for a sprawling tour on “To Tree Or Not To Tree” around the lakes and through the streets of Orlando. Learn more about this tour.