T H E O F F I C I A L NE W S L E T T E R F O R U P WI T H T R E E S - S P R I NG 2 0 1 7
CITIZEN FORESTER
PLANNING, PLANTING, PRESERVING, AND PROMOTING
In February, we welcomed our 9th class of Citizen Foresters to the Up With Trees family. Gardeners, students, retirees and professionals, alike, 28 tree enthusiasts filled the room to learn about the urban forest we live in and help make Tulsa more livable and beautiful. A 4-part series focusing on the P’s of Trees: Planning, Planting, Preserving and Promoting, local arborists led lectures and field training on the biology of trees, how to prepare for a planting and how to ensure the continued growth and health of trees. This year, a lesson on Pests and Diseases was added to the course material, providing Citizen Foresters with knowledge on how to diagnose and treat some of the common insects and infections that afflict Tulsa’s trees. With field activities ranging from planting and pruning trees to soil analysis, Citizen Foresters were also encouraged to become
more acquainted with their own backyards by bringing soil samples, photos and specimen from home to analyze, ask questions and become more familiar with the trees they come in contact with every day. Christen Webb, new Citizen Forester, says, “What I have really enjoyed about the program thus far is the depth of knowledge and genuine interest of not only the Up With Trees staff, but the existing volunteers as well. I can tell in every conversation that the individuals involved with the organization care about the future of Tulsa and its green spaces.” We are excited to welcome this class of fellow tree lovers who have already taken an interest in various Up With Trees activities, including Sign Painting, Tree Trips, and planting or pruning trees. Tulsa’s urban forest is in good hands with the Citizen Forester class of 2017.
IN THIS ISSUE HONO R S LUN C H E ON
E ME R A L D AS H B O R E R
P L A NNE D G I VI NG
THOUGHTS
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – STEVE GRANTHAM “Beginning 2017 with a completed Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan provides the missing perspective when looking at how to grow our local urban forest. Having quantifiable data about the health of our current trees, and the benefits we are receiving, positions us to precisely calculate what areas of Tulsa need the attention of our planting efforts, education initiatives, and maintenance capabilities. Thanks to the partnerships we have gained through the development of this plan we work to address our community’s issues with education, food scarcity, poverty, lung and heart health, and more with trees as a solution. Together, as citizens of Tulsa, we will grow our thriving and beautiful city.” Current projects that stem from the development of this Master Plan include developing a 5 year maintenance and planting plan for all Tulsa Public Schools, a major beautification project along the corridor from Tulsa’s airport to Downtown Tulsa, and with the identification of the pest Emerald Ash Borer being present in Oklahoma, working with a taskforce including City Councilors Phil Lakin and Anna America and Mayor elect GT Bynum to create a response plan for the City of Tulsa.
Sid Patterson
Founder (1921-2012)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Jack
Jeff Case
Kathy Vancuren Secretary
Bill Ainsworth Anne Brockman Laura Bryant Chris Carter
Tom Wallace
Vice President
President
Michael Farr Joy McGill E.J. Oppenheimer Nathan Pickard
2nd Vice President
Chris Hodges Treasurer
Joe Roberts Susan Scott Chuck Stanton Vanessa Thompson
Ron Walker Paul Woodul
WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS We are excited to welcome new members to our Board of Directors, Michael Farr, Stewart Swayze, Laura Bryant, and Chuck Stanton (not pictured).
AIR QUALITY
ENERGY
• • • • •
• • •
Reducing particulate matter
Transpiration
Absorbing gaseous pollutants
Wind reduction
Shade and transpiration
Shading dwellings and hardscape
Lowering power plant emissions Increasing oxygen levels
WATER QUALITY
• • •
Stormwater Interception Increasing soil capacity and rate of infiltration
HUMAN HEALTH
Reducing soil erosion
AESTHETIC
• • • • •
Beautifying neighborhoods
CARBON
• •
Directly reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide through growth and carbon sequestration
Providing shade and privacy
Total
$ 132,237,886
Providing access to healthy local produce Decreasing hospital patient recovery time
Enhancing wildlife habitat Increasing property values
Annual Urban Forest Benefits $ 86,503 6,634,259 4,303,908 102,838,496 18,374,720
Increasing Walkability
Creating a sense of place
Indirectly reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide by lowering the demand for energy
Item Air Quality Carbon Energy Saved Property Values Stormwater
• • •
% of Total Benefits <1% 5 3 78 14
Based on 2015 estimates, Tulsa’s urban forest provides cumulative benefits valued at an average of $25.43 per tree, per year, for a total value of $132.2 million annually.
100%
For sources of these statistics, more information on the benefits Tulsa’s trees provide and how you can help, go to www.upwithtrees.org
CURRENT UP WITH TREES PLANNED GIVING
A New Way To Give Leave a legacy for Tulsa by joining our Evergreen Society. To learn more about planned giving options visit upwithtrees.org. Is Up With Trees already listed in your will? Let us know at (918) 610 - 8733.
“I’ve attended [Planned Giving] seminars by others and had been thinking about who will inherit my assets upon my death. I didn’t want the government to get any of it by default. Then, I attended the Planned Giving seminar by The Advancement Group, Inc.. The instructor, Mark Loeber, was entertaining and very knowledgeable. I especially liked the pictures Mark drew showing where my assets could flow if I made the decisions now while I was still alive and alert. Talking to The Advancement Group, Inc. was free, so I made an appointment. Together we figured out what I wanted to happen to my assets.” – Up With Trees Volunteer and Planned Giving Participant
Leave a lasting legacy. Your gift can have a lasting impact and help to continue Up With Trees’ mission to beautify the greater Tulsa area and make Tulsa a place where people want to live, work, and play. Reduce or eliminate taxes, enjoy income for life and establish financial responsibility. Talk with our planned giving team and learn how you can provide for your family’s future, through planned giving: establish a trust, setting up a charitable gift annuity or creating a gift through your estate. Learn more! The Advancement Group, Inc. and Tulsa Community Foundation are hosting Planned Giving Seminars on May 11, 2017 at 8:30am and May 16, 2017 at 5:30pm at OU-Tulsa. RSVP to Julie Etchison at jetchison@upwithtrees.org or 918-610-8733.
PROJECTS CARVER RAIN GARDEN “The Rain Garden at Carver Middle School is a scientific, technical, and functional example using a natural process to slow runoff, filter/treat pollutants, and allow the prolonged use of rainwater for the benefit of our natural surroundings. The Rain Garden can be a teaching tool for years to come.” – Graham Brannin, The Brannin Family Foundation Thanks to funding from The Brannin Family Foundation and Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Up With Trees planted a rain garden at Carver Middle School to aid in storm water mitigation and to be used as a discovery classroom. The area for the rain garden is on a low plain and often floods with contaminated water from the parking lot. The garden features various plants with identification plaques as well as an informational sign detailing the science behind and benefits of the rain garden. Twelve volunteers from the Tulsa County Social Services helped plant the Rain Garden as a part of the United Way’s Day of Caring on September 9th, 2016.
EMERALD ASH BORER FOUND IN OKLAHOMA Do you have an ash tree? Learn more about the pest traveling our nation and what you can do to treat your trees by visiting upwithtrees.org
r e e t n Volu n o e h c n u nors L Ho
PLANNING AWARD SUSAN SCOTT A person presenting ideas or organizing activities to ensure the future success of Up With Trees.
We are so glad to have been able to celebrate our incredible volunteers from this past year at our Volunteer Honors Luncheon. Look forward to another amazing year working with dedicated tree-loving people!
PLANTING AWARD STEPHEN GAULIN A person involved in planting activities including sign preparation, planting tree sites, and coordinating volunteers for site plantings.
PRESERVING AWARD ARLIN FRANKLIN A person involved with the pruning crews, watering crews, and/or basic tree maintenance.
PROMOTING AWARD MATT NEWMAN A person involved in any activity that markets Up With Trees.
PEOPLE AWARD MICHAEL PATTON A person who demonstrates leadership, promotes urban forestry education, and/or acts as an advocate for Up With Trees.
CITIZEN FORESTER OF THE YEAR AWARD KURT SCHNEIDER A Citizen Forester who has gone above and beyond the requirements of the program.
SID PATTERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BONNIE KLEIN This award recognizes an individual who, over the years, has furthered Sid Patterson’s vision by making an enduring impact on Tulsa’s Urban Forest.
S A V E
T H E
D A T E
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT-
ROBERT MARTINEZ 2017 GALA CHAIR We are excited to welcome Lauren Houston as our 2017 Green Leaf Gala Chair! Lauren served as an integral part of the 2016 Green Leaf Gala committee and her passion for making Tulsa a better place to live go hand in hand with Up With Trees’ mission to keep Tulsa green and beautiful. Lauren’s love of the art community has inspired this year’s Gala theme, “Seeds of Imagination,” and we are looking forward to a colorful and fun party!
Robert Martinez, a graduate of the 2016 Citizen Forester Class, joined Up With Trees after seeing long-time volunteer Jim Costas pruning trees. Dedicating over 125 volunteer hours in 2016, Robert commits himself to improving Tulsa’s urban forest by pruning trees on a regular basis. Apart from preserving the current canopy of Tulsa’s trees, we can always count on Robert to assist with the planting initiatives of Up With Trees, from helping plant countless square footage of shrub beds to putting 50-gallon trees in the ground along Interstate 44. “A sense of accomplishment happens every time we leave a work site. When you turnaround and look back and say “Man, that looks great”. It’s visible not only to you & crew, but passers by when they honk at us working at sites,” says Robert. In addition to maintaining Up With Trees sites, Robert takes the time to maintain our tools, by sharpening our shovels to keep them in planting condition. Robert has an eye for safety and takes every precaution to ensure the wellbeing of his fellow volunteers and the Up With Trees crew. With his fun-loving personality and heart of gold, we are lucky to have Robert on our team.
1102 SOUTH BOSTON AVENUE, TULSA, OK 74119
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tulsa, OK. PERMIT NO. 512
Address Service Requested
MARCH
DATES TO REMEMBER
Seedling Distribution 25th Youth Volunteer Day
28th Fruit Tree Care & Grafting Demonstration Class
APRIL
Seedling Distribution 18th Kendra Scott Gives Back 22nd Corporate Volunteer Day 25th Tree Walk at the Tulsa Botanic Gardens
MAY
JULY
11th Planned Giving Seminar 16th Planned Giving Seminar 16th Pests and Diseases Class
13th Plant I.D. Class
SEPTEMBER
14th Irrigation Class 16th - 17th Tree Trip to the St. Louis Botanic Gardens
Check out UpWithTrees.org for all the details and upcoming events in 2017.