Welcome to the
Jan.-Feb. 2012
News You Can Use!

In this Issue

	Join the Grove!
	HOA Tree Care Guide
	Vibrant Cities Report
	Tree City USA
	ECCFC
	GTCW
	Survivor Tree
	2012 MFI
	Siemens Sustainable Community Awards

	2012 CTC Grants
	Scholarship Program
	2011 Poster Contest
	ProGreen Expo
	Board of Director's Meeting
	FRUFC
	Notable Tree Calendars
	Sign Up For "Tree Talk"

You are invited to join The Grove (www.coloradogrove.org) an online community that brings tree and nature enthusiasts together to share stories of how their families are creating a legacy by planting trees. Created and funded by the Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC), the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) and the U.S. Forest Service, the online community was beta tested in the Southeast in 2009 and 2010 before its national launch this year. More than 2,100 people are now part of The Grove. Once you create your profile and become a member, you can upload photos of trees you planted with family members and friends, create blog posts to share your planting stories and discuss nature-related issues with people who share your interests. The Grove also features a blog that provides tips on tree planting, the latest news in forestry, online contests and more. Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for building Colorado’s green legacy. Make sure you join the Colorado group within The Grove so you can get details on the latest local activities and link to other community forestry groups within the state such as the Colorado Tree Coalition and the community forestry program of the Colorado State Forest Service. We look forward to seeing you on The Grove!
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The Davey Resource Group recently released a CD-ROM containing the results and products of a project developed to educate and influence homeowners associations (HOAs) to become better stewards of trees and natural resources on their properties. The project was funded by a NUCFAC grant, developed by Davey Resource Group, and supported by national partners. Please help distribute this to the HOAs in your communities. The information will be available soon on the Colorado Tree Coalition website.
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This report was officially released at last November's Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Orlando. Bringing together the observations and recommendations of 25 experts across multiple disciplines, the Vibrant Cities Report presents a new framework for understanding the benefits of urban and community forestry. The vision of the Report is to "explore the implications of integrated natural and built urban environments and their possibilities for the future." Building upon this vision, the Report examines emerging trends and makes 12 Recommendations that represent the culmination of the Task Force's expertise, covering topics such as Education and Public Awareness, Research and Evaluation, Public-Private Partnerships, and more. The full report is available online Here.
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Thanks for all who helped coordinate and promote the Tree City USA program in their communities in 2011. The electronic application submittal continues to gain in popularity and will be the way of the future. It’s never too late to start preparing for the 2012 program; you may even consider promoting the Growth Award to existing Tree City USA communities or plan for projects that will help your community achieve a Growth Award. While you’re at it, help that community that wants to be a Tree City USA for the first time or your local college campus that wants to be a Tree Campus USA be one in 2012!
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The Eastern Colorado Community Forestry Conference is being planned for February 11, 2012 in Rocky Ford. A great program of current hot topics and speakers is being put together. Watch for the agenda and registration form soon.
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Make plans to attend the premier tree care workshop in Northern Colorado! On February 17, 2012 Greeley will once again host the Greeley Tree Care Workshop. Watch for the agenda and registration to be out soon!
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I (Keith) recently attended the Partners in Community Forestry Conference. One of the general sessions highlighted the efforts of several partners working together to preserve the survivor American elm that was nearly destroyed during the terrorist bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. When you have 10-15 minutes I highly recommend viewing the video production that was made in 2011. It can be viewed Here.
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The Society of Municipal Arborists' Municipal Forestry Institute (MFI) is fast approaching. MFI is an intense five day training program designed to help urban forestry professionals and advocates advance their programs and better educate their own constituencies about the important roles that trees play in the economic and physical health of communities across North America. Take advantage of the $200 discount for SMA members, including those who join SMA today! Learn more and register today at www.urban-forestry.com.
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Siemens is sponsoring The Siemens Sustainable Community Awards in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC). Nominations for the 2012 awards will be accepted until January 13, 2012, in three categories: small communities (less than 50,000 residents), midsize cities (50,000-500,000 residents) and large communities (more than 500,000 residents). Each winning city will be announced during an awards reception in April 2012 and will receive a donation of $20,000 worth of trees through the Alliance for Community Trees. Strong candidates for the award are able to demonstrate that their community has forged relationships with residents and the local private sector to set and achieve complementary economic, environmental and social goals. Together, these goals have helped the community realize long-term competitiveness and success. Communities will be judged by a panel of experts in three categories — environmental sustainability, economic sustainability and overarching sustainability. In 2011, nearly 90 communities from 40 states applied for the award. The three winning communities — San Jose, Calif.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Greensburg, Kan. — took proactive steps to improve quality of life, be a steward of the environment and increase the ability to sustain a successful community for generations to come. Apply Here for the Siemens Sustainable Community Awards.
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The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) grant reviews are taking place by reviewers across the state. This year 16 grant project requests were received by the CTC Grants Committee requesting nearly $19,000 in project funding. It is expected there will be $10,000 available for the regular CTC grant program. Thanks to all who applied and for all who are helping review grants statewide.
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The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) has a limited amount of funds to assist people with registering to attend conferences and workshops throughout the year. Because of the limited dollars available it is required of all who request assistance to follow these guidelines:

1. Scholarship requests will be limited to a maximum of $300, and can only be applied to cover registration costs of the event.

2. To request a scholarship please send an electronic request to Keith Wood, at keith.wood@colostate.edu. At a minimum the request should contain the name and location of the conference and what is hoped to be learned at the event, and how it will be applied in your current position. Keith will then submit the request to the CTC Board for their consideration.

3. Requests will also be limited to one person per community/group/organization per workshop or conference. Many workshops and conferences now offer concurrent sessions and there is a value to sending more than one person. However, the CTC will not be able to fund more than one person.

4. Those receiving scholarships will be required to supply an article or notes to be used in Tree Talk and/or placed on the CTC web site (www.coloradotrees.org) and/or in another electronic newsletter format so others can benefit from the workshop as well.

The board of CTC is committed to education and is seeking additional funds so the scholarship program can be expanded and more people throughout Colorado can benefit from the various educational opportunities available.
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The theme of the 2012 contest is “Celebrate Trees in Our Community” for 5th graders in Colorado! The entry deadline for school winning posters will be April 6, 2012. Details on the program can be at the Colorado Tree Coalition website.
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Don’t forget to make it to the ProGreen Expo at the Denver Convention Center from February 7-10. A host of good speakers and topics are lined up and you might even earn some CEU’s for that arborist or pesticide certification! CTC will have a booth and information in the Exhibit Hall. Be sure to stop in and say Hi!
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Come join the Board of Directors during their meeting on January 27 at the Greeley Poudre Learning Center. CTC has lots of new things planned for 2012, come find out more about what is on tap. Please contact Keith Wood at keith.wood@colostate.edu for more information.
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The next FRUFC meeting will be held on January 19, 2012 at the Willis Case Golf Course in Denver. A program on critical root zones will be presented. Contact Keith Wood at keith.wood@colostate.edu for more information.
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Remember that neat Notable Tree calendar you got from CTC to hang on your wall in 2012? Now’s the time to put it up and enjoy for the coming year, and if you haven’t gotten one yet, you can still order them at the Colorado Tree Coalition website.
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Please be sure to visit the CTC’s web site at www.coloradotrees.org and sign up to receive Tree Talk electronically. In 2012 there will be two issues of Tree Talk produced, one being the 2011 Annual Report available in January 2012, the other being a mid-year edition during the Summer of 2012. Thanks for helping CTC save its printing funds for tree planting projects around Colorado!
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