Examples of CD Urban Forestry Efforts

[Laura Meyer]

(sent on behalf of Laura Meyer, NASCA rep on the NACD Urban and Community RPG, and Ben Schram, NASCA rep on the NACD Forestry RPG)
Have individual CDs or CDs at a regional level launched successful urban forestry work/projects in your state? NACD is collecting examples to share with partners at the US Forest Service who expressed interest in partnering with CDs to expand urban forestry projects. They’re seeking examples from all regions of the country, particularly from CDs leading these efforts that haven’t been featured previously by NACD (e.g., in their Forestry Notes publication) so we can build a broad portfolio of CD urban forestry work. If you know of examples to share, please reply with a short description and the associated CD/CDs names. If available, please also include links to existing project/program information and/or media coverage of the work. We’ll pass the examples on to folks at NACD. Thank you!

[Rachel Ormseth]

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Resource Conservation and Forestry Division has awarded $9,000 to the Kingsbury County Conservation District for an Urban Forestry project through the Coordinated Natural Resources Conservation Grant Fund. This project will stimulate the development of innovative and effective community forestry projects throughout the county. Projects this grant will assist with include community tree inventory assessments, replacement of ash trees, development of a community forestry action plan, and educational outreach. Ultimately, this grant will bring attention to trees in town and how communities can plan ahead for the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) that has been confirmed in the Southeastern region of South Dakota. Windbreaks and community trees across the state are composed of more than a third of ash species and so this project will bring awareness for why it is important to strategically plan in both settings and how tree diversity can strengthen the natural resources in Kingsbury County.

[Rachel Ormseth]

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Division of Resource and Conservation Division is working with Miner and Roberts County Conservation Districts to utilize the state’s TreePlotter (Tree) Inventory subscription. Foresters on the Community Forestry team go out in the field in these communities and train volunteers from the community who will be collecting the data. The training includes introductions to tree species identification, accurate measurement techniques, and use of the TreePlotter app. This ongoing project will bring Urban Forestry and its important to light in smaller communities and inspire them to take ownership in caring for and enhancing their community trees. This will be extremely important since Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been confirmed in South Dakota. Communities will need to assess the financial burden of EAB and how they can strategically plant and maintain trees in their communities for success in the future.

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