Urban Forestry for People in a Hurry

Supervisor Joe Simitian’s Call To Action 

Urban Forestry for People in a Hurry (Slideshow PDF)

Save Our Water and Trees: Canopy’s brochure with tips on water-wise tree care

Reducing Tree Root Sidewalk Conflicts: analysis and strategies prepared by Elise Willis for the City of Palo Alto

Canopy’s Tree Library: searchable database of tree species found in MidPeninsula urban forests

SelecTree: an interactive tree selection guide maintained by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo. 

Cal Fire: information on Cal Fire programs, grants, and funding sources.

Understanding Tree Law: A Handbook for Practitioners: written by Barri Kaplan Bonapart, a leading expert in the litigation and mediation of tree and neighbor disputes.

Urban Forest Management Plan Toolkit: provides a “how-to” approach to develop an Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP)

On March 9, 2018 the workshop was held at the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium at the Santa Clara County Government Building.

Trees are an integral part of the health and character of Santa Clara County communities, yet they are often viewed as an amenity or luxury. A wealth of research shows that a thriving urban forest is essential to the wellbeing of any area, its ecosystem, and its residents. The proper management of this vital resource is not just the job of arborists–but of all those who are responsible for the care of the community and our public assets.

We know you’re busy. Here is your chance to….

• Learn about the connection between trees and public health

• See how investments in the urban forest have an average return rate of close to 3 to 1

• Hear from a panel of local municipal arborists who will tell it to you straight

• Learn the keys to achieve a robust urban forestry program

• Connect with resources, funding, and innovative ideas and leaders from around Santa Clara County

9:00am – Coffee and Networking

9:30am – Welcome by Dr. Igor Lacan, UCCE Urban Forestry Advisor

9:40am – Why Urban Forests? Why in A Hurry?

9:50am – Urban Forest Benefits and Threats – Dr. Natalie Van Doorn, USDA Research Urban Ecologist 

10:20am – The Components of a Robust Urban Forestry Program – Dorothy Abeyta, Davey Resource Group Project Developer 

10:27am – Municipal Arborist Panel moderated by Elizabeth Lanham, City of Palo Alto Contract Arborist, with: Bruce Hurlbert, City of Mountain View Parks and Open Space Manager; Diane Milowicki, City of San Jose Interim Deputy Director Department of Transportation; and Christina Fusco, Arborist City of San Jose

10:55am – Break

11:15am – Lightning Round: 

• Surveying Trees with Volunteers – Elise Willis, Canopy Community Urban Forestry Manager
• Replenishing the Urban Forest – Rob Casteñeda, Our City Forest Planting Manager
• Funding the Urban Forest – Michael Hawkins, Canopy Program Director
• Re-Oaking and Resilient Landscapes – Erica Spotswood, San Francisco Estuary Institute Applied Ecologist

11:50am – Urban Tree Canopy and Human Health – Cindy Blain, California ReLeaf Executive Director

12:20pm – Call To Action and Closing by Supervisor Joe Simitian