| 2000 GRANTS AWARDED |
Funding tree planting grants throughout the State is not an easy task, but it is rewarding.
This year the Colorado Tree Coalition had thirty-seven grants submitted for funding. These grants
were reviewed by fourteen people throughout the State. This fourteen people each reviewed eight grants.
Each grant was reviewed by at least three people, each from a different region of the State. The
rating forms were submitted and on January 22, members of the grants committee sat down to consolidate
the rating and then make some very hard decisions.
The hard decision was the funding aspect. With $49,151 being requested and only $28,400 available,
what was the best way to distribute the money? The results were twenty-three communities throughout
the State received grants from the Colorado Tree Coalition. This years grants were made possible
from the support of the USDA Forest Service, the Colorado State Forest Service, and Plant-It 2000.
Following is a brief descriptions of the funded 2000 CTC Grants:
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Applicant: Trees, Water,
and People
Project Name: Community Tree Planting Program
# of Volunteers: 300
# of Trees: 100
Description: This project has four components: the Regency Pond
Wetlands, the Spring Creek Streambank Restoration, the Environmental
Learning Center, and the Neighborhood Tree Planting Project. Within
these four projects, 100 at-risk youth will help plant and adopt an
area of the Wetlands. Property owners have banned together to learn
how to care and maintain their trees. And the portion of the planting
at the Environmental Center will provide new bird and wildlife habitat
cover.
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Applicant: Town of
Berthoud
Project Name: Nielson Greenway Trees
# of
Volunteers: 20
# of Trees: 54
Description: Fifty-four
trees will be planted along the Nielson Greenway trail. This area is an ideal
location to host Arbor day activities for local schools (there are three in the
area), memorial tree planting ceremonies, and many other environmental
stewardship projects. Arbor Day 2000 will be when the tree planting occurs. At
this event they will demonstrate proper planting techniques and introduce new
varieties of trees into their urban forest. Groups that will be attending are
local school children, scout groups, and community members.
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Applicant: CSU - Dept of
Horticulture
Project Name: Woody Plant Evaluation
# of
Volunteers: 10
# of Trees: 45
Description: This planting
will occur in an area heavily used as a teaching facility for university
students, the local community, and various groups throughout the state and
nation. The desired outcome is to increase the planting of superior plants for
this region by educating both the Green Industry and the public. The educational
program will increase public awareness of the importance of proper tree
selection, planting methods and maintenance. Additional, other trees in the area
will be pruned by a certified arborist and used in the teaching.
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Applicant: Prowers
Medical Center
Project Name: Netse Walking Path
# of Volunteers: 15
# of Trees: 15
Description: This project has been on-going since 1998. A
planting occurred in the Spring of 1998 and then again in the Spring
of 1999. The purpose of this years planting is to replant the trees
which died (approximately 12) and to extend the planting along the
trial. Boy Scout and Cub Scouts have been involved in the planting and
construction along the trial. The Cub Scouts earned a World
Conservation Award because of this project. The path provides a
peaceful place for patients and employees, as well as, local residents
to walk and relax. It also provides habitat for deer, birds, and other
animals.
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Applicant: South
Suburban Parks and Recreation
Project Name: Willow Springs Habitat - Phase II
# of Volunteers: 100
# of Trees: 190
Description: This is the second phase of a project along the
118 acre Willow Spring Open Space. Russian Olive were removed from the
drainage and 285 trees and shrubs will be planted to enhance the
wildlife habitat in this urban retention reservoir. Planting will
occur during Arbor week. Anticipate audience will be local school
children, homeowners, and park and trail users. Focus will be on the
history of the riparian area and planting and tree care.
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Applicant: Volunteers
for Outdoor Colorado
Project Name: Wetlands and Wildlands
# of Volunteers: 50
# of Trees: 100
Description: This tree planting will serve as a buffer from
nearby Prospect Road and will additionally serve as a backdrop to an
amphitheater where evening programs will educate visitors about
environmental issues in Colorado. When complete the center will
include an urban wildlife garden, a children=s
exploration wetlands, a picnic grove, a wildflower meadow, and an
amphitheater.
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Applicant: Town of
Larkspur
Project Name: Larkspur Community Park
# of Volunteers: 10
# of Trees: 25
Description: In 1993 a Master Plan was developed for Larkspur
Community Park, the design and implementation has been done with
student and public input. This is the fourth phase of this project.
This years planting is aimed at adding color, variety, and shade to
the areas around the picnic tables and along the trial. The Boy
Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local businesses will participate in the
event.
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Applicant: City of
Louisville
Project Name: Louisville Arboretum
# of Volunteers: 1,000
# of Trees: 25
Description: The purpose of the arboretum is to provide the
opportunities of passive recreation, education, and aesthetic
improvements to the area. The arboretum will be located next to the
Louisville Recreation Center. Once completed (within 3 years) the
arboretum will have 400 trees. The forestry board will develop written
literature for visitors and the information will allow for self guided
tours and educational programs related to trees and tree care. The
city will also be working with local schools to promote usage of the
area for nature studies.
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Applicant: Town of Green
Mtn Falls
Project Name: Arbor Day 2000
# of Volunteers: 140
# of Trees: 6
Description: The purpose of this project is to provide shade
trees at the new picnic table locations within Gazebo Lake Park and,
at the same time, instill a public appreciation for trees before and
during Arbor Day festivities. Adults and children will actually do the
hands on planting in a community effort. As part of the environmental
instruction, they will learn about the different species and their
importance to the local ecology.
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Applicant: City of
Fruita
Project Name: Tree Inventory
# of Volunteers: 45
# of Trees: 0
Description: The updated inventory will involve extensive work
by the tree board in field work to identify the changes in the trees
that were originally placed in the inventory and to add the many new
trees that have been planted since 1994. It will also be expanded to
include new areas of the city that have been added either as a result
of new development or annexation.
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Applicant: City of
Cortez
Project Name: Utility Tree Replacement
# of Volunteers: 50
# of Trees: 50
Description: This grant will provide incentive and matching
funds for the replacement of trees which will be removed from under
power lines. The outcome of this project would be in the removal of
unsightly trees, removal of trees in the power lines and improve
safety. It would also reduce the expenditure of tree pruning to the
electric company, and help beautify the community.
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Applicant: Durango
Children's
Museum
Project Name: The Secret Life of Trees
# of Volunteers: 2025
# of Trees: 0
Description: "The
Secret Life of Trees"
is an exhibit that will run March 15 - July 30, 2000. The goal of this
exhibit is for participants to gain a better understanding and
appreciation of a tree=s
natural history, especially native trees of the four corners area,
through a variety of fun, educational, and hands-on displays that
serve all ages and types of learners. This project is important in
helping children understand the trees and forests that make up the
area where they live in order that they might become future stewards
of the land.
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Applicant: Pioneer
Historical Society of Bent County
Project Name: Boggsville Tree Planting
# of Volunteers: 30
# of Trees: 600
Description: This is a three-row tree planting along the
southern property boundary of the Boggsville Historic Site. The
planting will serve a number of purposes. The foremost is that of a
visual and noise barrier to insulate the historical site from highway
noise and recent structural development. It will also serve as a
windbreak and a living snow fence to protect Highway 101. The
proximity of the planting to the nearby wetlands will also help
provide significant food and cover for wildlife.
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Applicant: Kiowa County
Fair Board
Project Name: Kiowa County Fairgrounds
# of Volunteers: 20
# of Trees: 42
Description: In 1991 this area was hit by a freeze killing many
of the trees in the area. This is the final phase of the project to
replace those trees around the parking area, which is the highest
usage area on the grounds. It will improve the appearance of the
grounds, provide shade and wind protection, and serve as a community
demonstration of the value of trees. It will make the grounds a more
attractive place to visit, and should reduce the maintenance costs of
snow removal and wind damage. Youth groups have volunteered to plant
and care for the trees in the past and will do so again this year. In
addition, a tree pruning and care workshop is planned for the
community this Spring.
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Applicant: Plainview
School
Project Name: Haven in Eastern Kiowa County
# of Volunteers: 100
# of Trees: 0
Description: The school recently incurred some unexpected cost
and is now concerned that they will not be able to adequately give the
care needed to trees on school property. The community has always
supported the school, however, some jobs need to be hired out to
trained, insured professionals. Plainview needs an updated tree
inventory as well as funds for maintenance that requires a paid
professional.
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Applicant: Bent County
Project Name: Jug House Pines made for Sleeping Dogs Shade
# of Volunteers: 300
# of Trees: 35
Description: Trees will be planted bordering the highway, in a
highly visible area adjacent to the golf course, on a site selected
for the new jail. The area need trees and landscaping improvements
that can easily be maintained and yet have water conservation as a
major objective. Trees in this area will provide much needed
landscaping and shade at the shelter and at the parking lot used by
employees and public visitors during the hot summer months.
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Applicant: Baca County
Extension
Project Name: Fairgrounds Project
# of Volunteers: 180
# of Trees: 15
Description: This project will provide shade between the
grandstand and the livestock grooming areas. At the present time,
there are no tree. The elm trees that were there were killed in the
freeze of 1991. Each of the seven 4-H clubs will adopt the trees. The
club members will learn about the trees as well as how to water,
prune, and care for their trees. At the base of each tree, the 4-H
members will place a bronze plaque naming the species and the club
that adopted it.
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Applicant: Douglas
County Parks and Trails
Project Name: Pinery Phase IV
# of Volunteers: 25
# of Trees: 10
Description: A new playground will be added to this park. Trees
will be planted around the new playground facility and will provide
beauty and shade to the area. The planting will be done by many of the
local volunteer organizations including: the Boy Scouts, the Girls
Scouts, the local Homeowner's
Association, and the Women's
Club.
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Applicant: Town of
Elizabeth
Project Name: Inventory and Mapping
# of Volunteers: 12
# of Trees: 0
Description: The goal of this project is to do a complete
inventory of size, condition, and species of trees as well as the
maintenance needs and planting spaces available. All this information
will be put on a GIS system and maps will be printed. These maps will
help the board decide where and what species of trees need to be
planted. It will be educational for the citizens of the town to know
the type of trees that are native to the area.
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Applicant: Salida Tree
Board
Project Name: Salida Middle School 2000
# of Volunteers: 128
# of Trees: 6
Description: Salida opened a new middle school in the fall of
1999. In the initial plans for the school they left areas of open
space to be planted by the 7th grade science classes. This
project is a joint effort between those students and the Salida Tree
Board. The goal is to create an arboretum with non-native trees that
would do well in their climate.
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Applicant: Town of
Poncha Springs
Project Name: Poncha Springs 2000
# of Volunteers: 7
# of Trees: 10
Description: The Board of Trustees recently designated tree
planting and replacement as a priority beginning in the year 2000. A
Tree Board will be created and the Board plans to adopt an ordinance
to outline tree care policies. The Board would like to improve the
appearance of the Town=s
streets and gateways. There are eleven identified trees that need to
be removed and at least forty that require extensive pruning. The
board plans to plant, remove, and prune a few trees each year.
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Applicant: Buena
Vista Tree Board
Project Name: Pruning Clinic
# of Volunteers: 35
# of Trees: 0
Description: The abundance of unhealthy, poorly maintained
trees in Buena Vista has been documented in a tree survey by the tree
board. Pruning clinics will be held to allow the public the
opportunity to watch large trees being pruned and to be educated in
proper pruning techniques of larger trees. A young tree pruning clinic
will also be held to stress the importance of annual pruning
maintenance that starts when a tree is planted.
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| We congratulate the above and are looking forward to
seeing the completed projects.
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