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 6 C E L E B R AT I N G 4 0 Y E A R S O F P L A N T I N G , P R E S E R V I N G , & P R O M O T I N G T U L S A’ S U R B A N F O R E S T
REGREEN TULSA PLANTING 10,000 TREES FOR TULSA
In December 2007, Tulsa experienced the worst ice storm in the city’s history, losing 20,000 trees in the storm’s wake. Mayor Kathy Taylor responded with ReGreen Tulsa, a partnership with Up With Trees, the City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Community Foundation, to plant 10,000 trees in public spaces city-wide. Since 2008, Up With Trees has planted in parks, neighborhoods, at schools and other public properties. On March 5, 2016, we planted our 10,000th tree and finished the ReGreen Tulsa project! Thanks to our community partners and many generous Tulsans, ReGreen Tulsa saw 3,560 trees planted at 61 schools across the city. We planted 340 trees at 8 early education centers
including McClure and Rosa Parks CAP Centers; 1,520 trees in 53 parks such as Carbondale, East Tract, Sequoyah and West Highlands Parks; 555 trees at 8 recreation venues like Alsuma Soccer Complex and West Bank Sports Complex; 500 trees in 16 neighborhoods; 3,099 trees at 35 city properties like fire stations and the police academy; and 425 trees with 15 community partners such as Girl Scouts, Global Gardens, River Parks Authority, and Tulsa Community Food Bank. The 10,000th tree was planted at Riverside and I-44 on the Northeast corridor. In total, we planted trees at 196 locations throughout Tulsa. ReGreen Tulsa’s trees are filtering pollutants from our air, capturing storm-water runoff, and increasing the value of Tulsa’s public spaces. Thank you, Tulsa, for helping keep Green Country green for years to come!
IN THIS ISSUE T R E E -VI A : G O WI L D !
CURRENT PROJECTS
HONO R S LUNCHEON
WELCOME
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – STEVE GRANTHAM On March 5th, we had the opportunity to celebrate an incredible milestone. We were joined by the Honorable Kathy Taylor, Councilor Phil Lakin, and many others to plant the 10,000th tree from the Re-Green Tulsa initiative that began in 2008. It was an honor to fulfill a program that completely changed our organization and to recognize the individuals who helped to make it happen. Re-Green Tulsa took us to a new level of visibility within the community and gave us the opportunity to expand our roots and grow taller and stronger. This year, we are also celebrating our 40th anniversary. 40 years of planting trees with the people of Tulsa. In my eight years at Up With Trees, I have been lucky enough to plant trees with people of all ages and all walks of life, and it has changed and continues to change my life for the better. We are 40 years strong and going steady because of you. Thank you for being a part of our past, present and future. We couldn’t do this without you!
Sid Patterson
Founder (1921-2012)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Patton
Bob Jack
President
Chris Hodges Secretary
Bill Ainsworth Anne Brockman Chris Carter Nick Doctor Terrell Hoagland
Joe Howell
Vice President
Kathy Jackson Joy McGill E.J. Oppenheimer Laura Parrott Nathan Pickard
2nd Vice President
Jeffrey Case Treasurer
Cassie Reese Joe Roberts Susan Scott April Stuart Vanessa Thompson
Ron Walker Tom Wallace Paul Woodul
2016 Tree-Via: Go Wild!
Up With Trees celebrated Earth Day by holding its 3rd annual Tree-Via, a trivia event benefiting Up With Trees, on April 22nd at the Tulsa Zoo. This year 28 teams tested their trivia knowledge, posed for the photo booth, and challenged their friends to wear a wild hula outfit at our largest Tree-Via event ever! Team Burn’em Wood dominated the competition for the second year in a row, winning the grand prize, followed by a three-way tie for second place between Dear Google…, Up Wit Trees, and We Have Chemistree. There were several spirited teams and some amazing centerpieces, but ultimately The Tree Huggers Coalition took home the spirit award and The Squad won the photo booth contest. Check out #wild4trees to see some of their photos plus other photos from the event. Be sure not to miss next year’s Tree-Via and visit www. upwithtrees.org/news-events/treevia to watch for updates.
SAVE THE DATE: SEPTEMBER 17 - 18
Join us as we take our first overnight Tree Trip to visit the Dallas Arboretum and the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens! For more information visit upwithtrees.org
Up With Trees is celebrating 40 years of planting, preserving and promoting Tulsa’s Urban Forest. Follow Up With Trees #TreesmeanTulsa
CURRENT PRO TULSA URBAN FOREST MASTER PLAN ITREE ECO
Energy-related cost reduction from residential buildings (i.e. air conditioning and heating): $10.2 million Air pollutant removal (such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide): $8.55 million, equivalent to 2,660 tons of air pollution Carbon sequestration (long-term storage of carbon dioxide or other forms of carbon): $5.16 million, equivalent to annual carbon emissions from 43,500 automobiles Stormwater runoff reduction (when rain or melting snow “runs off� across paved land instead of seeping into the ground, the runoff of sediment and pollution typically ends up in community water sources): $4.02 million, equivalent to 60,378,000 cubic ft. Avoided carbon (by reducing the amount of carbon released by fossil-fuel based power plants through energy savings): $2.01 million, equivalent to 28,300 tons of carbon emission
Go to www.upwithtrees.org for access to more information on the i-Tree Eco Canopy Assessment and to stay updated on the progress of the Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan.
OJECTS UP WITH TREES’ 40TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
On Friday, April 1, Up With Trees celebrated its 40th Anniversary of planting, preserving, and promoting Tulsa’s urban forest. The night was filled with many familiar faces including guest speakers that have been key partners in Up With Trees’ history, such as the former Tulsa Mayor Robert LaFortune Sr. and the former chairman of the River Parks Authority Len Eaton. The celebration concluded in the Woodward Park Arboretum to rededicate the statue “Planting for the Future” of Up With Trees founder, Sid Patterson. Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Jr. read a proclamation recognizing the effect these past 40 years of planting trees has had on Tulsa County. Since its inception in 1976, Up With Trees has planted more than 30,000 trees and currently maintains more than 10,000 trees in the greater Tulsa area. Up With Trees also has education initiatives such as the Citizen Forester Program and Tree School, which have allowed us to educate the public on the importance of keeping Green Country green. The partnerships Up With Trees has made and the subsequent projects from those partnerships will leave lasting impacts on the greater Tulsa area for generations to come.
2016 VOLUNTEER HONORS LUNCHEON On Feb. 27, Up With Trees celebrated the hard work of all the volunteers that continually help us grow Tulsa’s urban forest! The event began with a dance performed by all Up With Trees staff representing the unified effort it takes to maintain, plant, and promote the trees of Tulsa. Up With Trees could not perform its mission without the tireless dedication of our volunteers and we are ecstatic to recognize the below award recipients for their contributions to our organization!
PLANNING – TERRELL HOAGLAND A person presenting ideas or organizing activities to ensure the future success of Up With Trees.
PROMOTING – MILLIE HARDESTY YORK A person involved in any activity that markets Up With Trees.
PLANTING – BILLY BACKUES A person involved in planting activities including sign preparation, planting tree sites, and coordinating volunteers for site plantings.
PEOPLE – MIKE PERKINS A person who demonstrates leadership, promotes urban forestry education, and/or acts as an advocate for Up With Trees.
PRESERVING – ROGER REEVES & TY SIMMONS A person involved with the pruning crews, watering crews, and/or basic tree maintenance.
CITIZEN FORESTER OF THE YEAR – NATHAN PICKARD A Citizen Forester who has gone above and beyond the requirements of the program.
SID PATTERSON LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BILL VOGLE & RON WALKER 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.
SAVE THIS DATE
GREEN LEAF GALA
NOVEMBER 5, 2016
“Tulsa Loves Trees”
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT-
REBEKAH HERRICK
2016 GALA CHAIRS We are excited to announce that Rania Nasreddine and Jessica Yoon, will be this year’s Green Leaf Gala Chairs. Jessica, a Citizen Forester, said “It took planting my first tree and graduating from the Citizen Forester Program at Up With Trees to truly understand the purpose and meaning behind all of the timbered signs. Like a beacon, each and every Up With Tree sign has lit up Tulsa streets and highways, representing the respect, compassion and love that both donor and forester have shared with nature for the past 40 years.” Rania shared, “When describing the beauty of Tulsa to strangers, I inevitably talk about our trees and natural beauty. I am honored to co-chair the Green Leaf Gala celebrating 40 years of Up With Trees making Tulsa a city I love to brag about.”
Rebekah Herrick has been a Citizen Forester at Up With Trees since 2011. In that time, she has planted countless trees, distributed seedlings to the public, participated in parades to promote Tulsa’s urban forest, volunteered at many of our events, and continues to be a reliable volunteer committed to growing Tulsa’s urban forest through planting and awareness. At a planting, you can find Rebekah alongside her two sons working diligently to better the Tulsa community. “I feel that being a Citizen Forester impacts change by helping to make Tulsa a healthier and more livable city because of the aesthetic and environmental value of trees,” says Rebekah. “What I really like about volunteering at Up With Trees is that there are some activities my children can participate in, and I think it is important to get kids outdoors and contributing to the community.”
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tulsa, OK. PERMIT NO. 512
1102 SOUTH BOSTON AVENUE, TULSA, OK 74119 Address Service Requested
JUNE
DATES TO REMEMBER
8th Urban Forest Master Plan Community Meeting
9th On The Border Gives Back
AUGUST
9th Indoor National Parks Tree Walk
SEPTEMBER
17th - 18th Tree Trip to the Dallas Arboretum & Fort Worth Arboretum
NOVEMBER
5th Green Leaf Gala
2nd Holiday Party
DECEMBER
Check out UpWithTrees.org for all the details and upcoming events in 2016.