Southern Urban and Interface Forests - What's New

New England Leaf Out Project - Special Campaign

Are trees in the New England region leafing out earlier than they did in the past? Do tree species leaf out at different times? These are questions that researchers at Boston University are trying to answer. You can assist them in this aim by tracking the leaf-out of ten deciduous tree species.

Follow the link to the National Phenology Network's special campaign page to see the list of recommended species that will help track leafout for scientists..

Photo: leafout on Acer rubrum "October Glory" in Northeast Georgia (07Apr12)

Maples, Oaks, and Poplars - Special Campaign

Help scientists and natural resources managers track the “green wave” —the flush of green that accompanies leaf-out –over the course of the spring season, and the spread of seasonal color across the country in the autumn. Observations of individual plants, taken on the ground, can help decision makers develop forecast models and early warning systems for use in forest management and public health administration via pollen forecasting.

Follow the link to the National Phenology Network's special campaign page to see the list of recommended species that will paint a national picture of the 2013 "green wave".

Photo: budburst on Fagus grandifolia in Wooster, Ohio (20Apr12)

Come to the 3rd Annual Green Schools National Conference in West Palm Beach, February 22-24, 2013. The goal of the conference is to connect like-minded and passionate education, non-profit, corporate, and public sector individuals and organizations that help advance the national green and healthy schools movement.

To learn more about this conference click here.

Picking up with the discussion from the December 6^th & 13^th webinars, we will discuss how to take the information produced in the first two webinars to create a Vegetation Risk Management Plan (VRMP) to compliment your county's Hazard Mitigation Plan.  Will also discuss debris staging areas to include in your VRMP based on the UTRI.

When: Wednesday, Jan 9, 2013 2:00 PM (EST) - Duration: 1:00

Presenters: Rachel Barker & Dudley Hartel

Direct URL link to the Webinar

or...

Go to UFSe Events to download instructions

AUDIO INFORMATION:

USA Toll-Free: 888-858-2144

Access Code: 2358744

1. Dial the Conference Toll-Free Number

2. Enter Access Code 2358744#

UTRI – Risk zones, assessments, and mitigation

Picking up with the discussion from the December 6^th webinar, we will demonstrate and discuss the GIS processes for each of the UTRI layers (vector to raster conversions, assigning relative ranks for each layer, and the map algebra step) leading to the final UTRI for each street segment. This webinar will also discuss field verification, ANSI A300 risk assessment levels used, and mitigation recommendations and prioritization.

When: Thursday, Dec 13, 2012 2:00 PM (EST) - Duration: 1:00

Presenters: Rachel Barker & Dudley Hartel

Meeting time: Dec 13, 2012 2:00pm EST (Thursday) - Access beginning at 1:00PM EST

DOWNLOADS:

Check on Tuesday the 12th for handouts to download.

AUDIO INFORMATION:

USA Toll-Free: 888-858-2144

Access Code: 2358744

1. Dial the Conference Toll-Free Number

2. Enter Access Code 2358744#

URTI – Getting started & data and data preparation
Following a very brief introduction to the Vegetation Risk Management Plan (VRMP) and the Urban Tree Risk Index, we will discuss the sources and basic preparation of data needed to produce the tree risk zone map with UTRI used for pre-storm mitigation and planning.

When: Thursday, Dec 6, 2012 2:00 PM (EST)
Duration: 1:00
https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/usda/join?id=26PH3D&role=attend&pw=j%7E4B3CD%7Dt
Meeting time: Dec 6, 2012 2:00 PM (EST)

AUDIO INFORMATION
USA Toll-Free: 888-858-2144
Access Code: 2358744
1. Dial the Conference Toll-Free Number
2. Enter Access Code 2358744#
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Across the South, rapid urbanization is transforming previously rural areas and creating new environmental challenges. Desoto County sits in the northwestern corner of Mississippi, across the state line from the city of Memphis. Since 1970, the county has experienced an increase in population of 430 percent, growing from 36,000 people in 1970 to 159,000 in 2010. Along with the population growth, urban development, roads, and traffic have increased tremendously and introduced serious air and water quality problems to the traditionally agricultural county.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has included Desoto County with Memphis in an ozone “non-attainment” area, meaning that ozone emissions are above allowable limits set by federal regulation. Ground level ozone, the main ingredient in smog, can trigger asthma attacks and causes lung damage. The ruling will likely mean that the state will have to take expensive actions to reduce pollution emissions from cars and commercial/industrial sources.

One group, led by the county extension director, Joy Anderson, is hoping that the urban tree canopy can play a part in the solution, and return Desoto County to attainment status. Working with Eric Kuehler, technology transfer specialist for Urban Forestry South, Desoto County conducted a series of iTree analyses including iTree Eco, Canopy and Vue. Using local volunteers and forestry students from Mississippi State University to collect the data, the county assessed over 250, 1/10th acre plots randomly located within five land class categories. The data allowed for an assessment of the structure, function, and value of the urban forest in terms of size and make-up of the urban canopy and its role in removing air pollution and sequestering carbon. 

View our articles, fact sheets, and other publications that we have written about children and nature, including topics such as the benefits of outdoor activity in children and fun family activities to do outside.

www.urbanforestrysouth.org/kids-in-the-woods/our-articles

Beginning with Dr. Roger Ulrich, Center for Health Systems and Design, in "View Through a Window..." nature/health research has highlighted the "obvious" but difficult to quantify benefits of natural settings (including urban forests) for physical and psychological well being.

Dr. Esther Sternberg is Research Director at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Her books include Healing Spaces: The Science of Place and Well Being, and The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health & Emotions

Listen to: The Science of Healing Places with Dr. Sternberg, On Being (30Sep12 American Public Media via NPR).  "The light and smells in places like hospitals can often depress us. And, our favorite room at home keeps us sane. But why? Immunologist Esther Sternberg explains the scientific research revealing how physical spaces create stress and make us sick — and how good design can trigger our "brain’s internal pharmacies" and help heal us." [APM On Being Website]

Dr. Kathleen Wolf, Projects Director at Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening (School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington) documents and investigates the human/nature connection at Green Cities: Good Health.  "Metro nature - including trees, parks, gardens, and natural areas - enhance quality of life in cities and towns. The experience of nature improves human health and well-being in many ways. Nearly 40 years of scientific studies tell us how." [K Wolf Website]

_{Photo by Joel Bedford, Flickr, Creative Commons by-nd}

Susan Granbery, Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, Georgia Forestry Commission was selected for the Austin Short Current Achievement Award for Communications.  Susan was recognized for her successful efforts over the past two years to expand The American Grove, an online urban and community forestry community.

Paul Revell, Urban & Community Forestry Coordinator, Virginia Department of Forestry received the Stewart Pequignot Current Achievement Award for Urban Forestry.  Paul ... has developed and managed an excellent and productive program in Virginia. His leadership and contributions on the state, regional and national level, have helped educate decision makers about the value of urban and community forestry and how it improves the overall health of a community.

Awards were presented at the NASF 2012 Annual Meeting in Cheyenne, Wyoming last week.  Each year NASF members nominate individuals for awards representing different categories that reflect the work they have done to promote, support and strengthen the forestry community nationwide.

Full story and additional state awards at: NASF