Community Tree Management Institute

Offered by Penn State

Today as we see the trend of migration away from our cities and boroughs beginning to reverse, communities that offer the best quality of life will prosper. Beautiful and well maintained public trees are an indispensible contributor to the quality of life.  Healthy and sustainable urban forests provide many environmental, health, and social benefits to our communities.  They intercept millions of gallons or rainwater, reduce energy costs, attract businesses, tourists and residents, increase real estate values, enhance immune system response, and have even been shown to reduce crime and violence.

But the urban forest, like the rest of our community infrastructure, requires protection and care to provide the maximum benefit. Having a knowledgeable and committed group of residents serving their community is the best way to assure that public trees receive proper maintenance, and are not indiscriminately damaged or removed.

To provide the training required to be an effective tree advocate, Penn State School of Forest Resources, along with other cooperating organizations, will offer the Community Tree Management Institute at the America on Wheels Museum, Allentown, PA on Wednesday, September 15^th and Thursday, September 16^th, 2010. Topics include:  Why Care About Trees, Enacting a Tree Ordinance, Contracting Tree Work, Working With the Media, Planning for Trees, Tree Commissions, Landscape Tree Factsheets, Overcoming Obstacles to Trees, Conducting a Tree Inventory, Management Plans, Trees, Stormwater & Energy, Assessing Tree Risk, Trees and the Law, and Working with Municipal Officials and Volunteers.

Early registration is required by September 3rd. The early registration fee is $95 ($100 after September 3) which includes lunch, breaks and materials. For more information or to register, contact Julianne Schieffer at Penn State Cooperative Extension, 610-489-4315; jxs51@psu.edu or contact Vinnie Cotrone at 570-825-1701; vjc1@psu.edu