THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER FOR UP WITH TREES - WINTER 2017
October 7th, Up With Trees welcomed patrons to the ‘Green Leaf Gala: Seeds of Imagination’ in the Assembly Hall at the Cox Business Center. Once having their picture taken in front of an illuminated GLG sign, patrons entered into the Assembly Hall where they enjoyed a myriad of opportunities. Guests bid on original artwork from incredible local artists such as John Hammer and Taylor Painter-Wolfe in the Silent Auction; they tested their luck in the “Bourbon, Bubbles, and Bling” and “Gold Leaf Paddle” raffles; and they even sponsored prominent trees in our downtown Tulsa landscape. As the program continued, they were entertained with a grand live auction, a spirited performance and dancing with the live band: Satellite, a game area with toppling Jenga towers and an animated
corn hole toss, and an impressive ice sculpture stacked with enticing drinks. Reveling in confetti as it rained over the dance floor, no one wanted the night to end! Thanks to the hard work of Event Chair Lauren Houston and our devoted Gala Committee, the evening raised more than $200,000 towards growing our urban forest. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing patrons, the dollars raised will grow our impact in planting, preserving, and promoting our urban forest. SAVE THE DATE:
Green Leaf Gala 2018 Saturday, September 29
IN THIS ISSUE HOLLIMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION GRANT
CITIZEN FORESTER CLASS OF 2018
TREE TRIP
A LETTER
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – STEVE GRANTHAM Tulsa has caught the attention of many as of late. Whether it’s the installation of a world class park or our hosting a national conference, many people are beginning to take notice of our great city. One of my major takeaways from last month’s Arbor Day Conference, hosted in downtown Tulsa, was that Tulsa has a growing advantage over other cities across the nation. Over the last two decades, most urban areas in the nation have seen a decline in their urban forests. Over the same period of time, Tulsa has actually seen a one percent increase in our tree canopy coverage. Tulsa’s community is unlike any other, and people are beginning to take notice. With your support of Up With Trees and the work that we do within Green Country, Tulsa is growing and receiving national recognition as a forestry leader. As we move forward with implementing the Tulsa Urban Forest Master Plan, dealing with Emerald Ash Borer, and planting in highneed areas, we are excited to continue our partnership with you in order to maximize the momentum our community has. It takes your investment to make Tulsa the best city in the country to live, work, and play.
Sid Patterson
Founder (1921-2012)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bob Jack
Jeffrey Case
Kathy Vancuren Secretary
Bill Ainsworth Anne Brockman Laura Bryant Chris Carter
Tom Wallace
Vice President
President
Michael Farr Joy McGill EJ Oppenheimer Nathan Pickard
2nd Vice President
Chris Hodges Treasurer
Joe Roberts Susan Scott Chuck Stanton Vanessa Thompson
Ron Walker Paul Woodul
SAVE THE DATE:
Volunteer Honors Luncheon Saturday, February 24 11:30am - 1:00pm
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.
C U R R E N T JOE & JEAN HOLLIMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION Since 1999, the Joe & Jean Holliman Family Foundation has supported Up With Trees and our mission to plant, preserve, and promote Tulsa’s urban forest. In continuation of this partnership, the Joe & Jean Holliman Family Foundation has generously gifted Up With Trees $1.7 million to fully fund our Tree School program in all of Tulsa Public Schools as well as to plant and rejuvenate a portion of the Osage Prairie Trail .
OSAGE PRAIRIE TRAIL The Osage Prairie Trail project involves 151 days of clean up and the planting of 850 trees from the Greenwood Cultural Center and the trailhead at B.S. Roberts Park extending north to 36th Street North. This includes the planting of food forests at Langston University, Carver MIddle, Lacy Park, and Hawthorne Elementary school; trees for stormwater mitigation at B.S. Roberts Park, along portions of Dirty Butter Creek, and at a detention pond along Mohawk Blvd.; and trees to shade and beautify all affected areas of the trail. With a goal of completing this project in Fall 2018, we welcome the Tulsa community to join us as we plant, preserve, and promote the Osage Prairie Trail. For dates and details on how to get involved, visit UpWithTrees.org.
TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS Over the next 3 years, Up With Trees will implement our youth education program, Tree School, at 65 schools within the Tulsa Public School system. Students will engage in environmental science lessons that explore the importance of trees as well as how trees affect our everyday lives from the air that we breathe to the paper on which we write. The students will also be involved in planting trees at their school campus to achieve a minimum of 10% tree canopy on each campus.
P R O J E C T S ONE GAS SPONSORS ADDITION OF FRUIT TREES FOR CULINARY ARTS This past November, ONE Gas sponsored the planting of two fig trees, one pear tree, and one persimmon tree at Nathan Hale High School. These food bearing trees will be utilized as a part of the curriculum for the school’s culinary arts program and will promote fresh cooked meals, balanced nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices among their students. This sponsorship supports the school’s partnership with ONE Gas to improve the classroom experience for students in public schools.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT:
ADOPT A TREE SITE Support Tulsa’s urban forest by “adopting” an existing tree site. Your sponsorship demonstrates your commitment to the community and the beautification of Tulsa. Visit upwithtrees.org/trees-signs/adopt-tree-site for a map of adoptable locations.
8 Year Sponsorship $6,000 - $10,000 or $750 - $1,250/year (varies by location and number of trees)
Includes: - Customized Wooden Sign - General Maintenance (pruning, mulching, weed-eating)
30,000+ Traffic Counts Improved Air Quality company advertisement Beautifying Tulsa’s Major Roadways Noise Abatement celebrate a life keep green country green
For more information, contact Julie Etchison at (918) 610 - 8733 or jetchison@upwithtrees.org.
ST. LOUIS TREE TRIP September this year our tree trippers got to explore St. Louis, Missouri. We toured around the City Garden in central downtown learning about the plant life and art installed throughout it’s landscape. Guests also enjoyed the newly named ‘nation’s best zoo’, the Saint Louis Zoo. However, it was unanimous that the Missouri Botanical Garden was the highlight of the trip. Walking through the breathtaking gardens and appreciating the Chihuly art installation, it was a botanical garden none of us will soon forget.
SAVE THE DATE: October 12-14, 2018 Fall Tree Trip to Nebraska City where we will explore the Arbor Day Foundation’s Lied Lodge!
Tulsa hosted the Partners in Community Forestry Conference on November 15 & 16. Welcoming around 500 of the nation’s urban forestry professionals and enthusiasts, Tulsa left an inspiring impression. Conference tours included our downtown landscape, the Gathering Place, a trolley across greater Tulsa, and much more. As most guests had never been to Tulsa before, a common theme among them was delighted amazement at the hidden gem our city has grown to be. Many plan to return to check out Tulsa’s growth - let’s blow them away!
CITIZEN FORESTER CLASS COMING IN FEBRUARY
Join 200 fellow Oklahomans in our
Citizen Forester Program
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT-
tree care, tree biology,
Young Men’s Service League is a nonprofit organization that initiates and encourages young men and their mothers to pursue philanthropic involvement in their community. When asked why they chose to volunteer at Up With Trees, service coordinator Kathy Pixley said, “We felt that, not only would it be rewarding to get to see the result of our labor, but learn how trees impact the environment.” YMSL has regularly volunteered at Up With Trees since October 2016, completing various beautification projects along the I-44 corridor, including planting, mulching, and weeding trees and shrub beds. “For our members who planted the trees and shrubs, each time we drive by our plantings, there is a sense of pride and excitement to watch them mature through the years,” Pixley said. YMSL has collectively served over 115 hours toward the initiatives of Up With Trees. We are continuously grateful for the service of these mother-son duos and look forward to growing our impact in the community with their support.
and enrich your knowledge of
pests, planting, and urban forestry
this February!
To apply for the Citizen Forester program, go to www.UpWithTrees.org or contact Taylor Melone at (918) 610 - 8733 or taylor@upwithtrees.org to have an application mailed to you. Class size is limited, so be sure and apply today!
YOUNG MEN’S SERVICE LEAGUE
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tulsa, OK. PERMIT NO. 512
1102 SOUTH BOSTON AVENUE, TULSA, OK 74119 Address Service Requested
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CONTACT US WITH A QUESTION OR COMMENT: treess@upwithtrees.org (918) 610 - 8733 1102 South Boston Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119