ARBORIST OF THE YEAR - Courtney Blevins, Texas Forest Service

Do you know someone you can depend on in a pinch?  Do you know someone who answers e-mails at 8:00 at night, volunteers for tasks others moan at, and you’ve never heard say the word no?  Do you take them for granted?  Is it because every time you say thank you, they tell you it’s their job?  Most people who have a “job,” come to work at 8:00 and stop at 5:00.  Most people who have a “job,” don’t volunteer to put more on their plate.  Most people who have a “job” aren’t sending e-mails and documents late into the night to make sure they don’t miss a deadline, or just don’t want to let you down.  Those people don’t have a job, they have a passion.  Here in the Metroplex, we’re proud to have one of those people with a passion working for us.  We’re proud to have Courtney Blevins as an Urban Forester.

I’ve never been more grateful to have Courtney working by our side as I was the past year.  I had known about pending budget cuts for several weeks that would close Rolling Hills, the Fort Worth City tree farm, and eliminate all volunteer and outreach programs as well as 6 positions within the Fort Worth Forestry Section.  However, I wasn’t allowed to discuss it with anyone until it became public information on August 12, 2008.  Even then, we were only one little line in an enormous document of City-wide reductions.  As City employees, we cannot campaign for or against budget reductions.  Our position is to support the City Manager’s proposed budget, no matter how painful. No one would ever notice we were losing one of the most productive municipal tree farms in the state before it was too late.  We only had until September 16^th when Council voted on our new budget to hope someone would champion our cause. 

Luckily Courtney offices in our building, so it was easy to make sure he caught the drift of what was going on.  Others had offered consolations such as “well, they’ve got to cut somewhere”,   “it’s a tuff year”, and “that’s too bad.”  In true Courtney style, his first response was, “What can I do?” and it wasn’t a rhetorical question.  All I asked of him was to work within the confines of Texas Forest Service Policy: to speak to the benefits of trees, and how important tree planting was for a municipality and that it wasn’t just the tree farm we were losing but the Citizen Forester Program along with all our volunteer programs and our Neighborhood Tree Planting Program.   He confided in me that the only time he was uncomfortable in front of an audience was at Fort Worth City Council.  However, he promised to don his “pickle suit,” stand before Council, and do what he could. 

Once again, in true Courtney style, he took it beyond what we had asked or hoped for.  After seeking guidance from his supervisor, Courtney “rallied the troops.”  He was a one man media blitz.  He spread the word like the opportunistic roots of a giant tree into every available crevice and cranny within the community.  Not only did he reach every resource in his vast collection but he armed them with facts and figures about our production, our accomplishments, the importance of trees and a strong urban forestry program.  The letters, phone calls and e-mails poured into the Mayor and Council.  They were inundated.  The Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods, Fort Worth Women’s Garden Club, and Scenic Fort Worth started a City-wide petition.  Within one short week “Axing the Tree Farm” was in the Fort Worth Star Telegram and the Fort Worth Weekly. 

At the next Council meeting, Courtney kept his word and spoke eloquently on our behalf.  He not only championed trees but championed us and our programs.  His delivery along with that of Scenic Fort Worth was enough to catch the interest of the local NBC news.  Within 48 hours Courtney was featured in a news interview at the very tree farm he was attempting to save.  When newscaster Scott Gordon interviewed Mayor Moncrief for the same story, he was told the City was no longer considering touching the program in any way. 

Within 7 business days, Courtney managed to lead a brigade that swayed our Council.  Only two items slated for removal in the entire proposed City budget were reinstated. Thanks to a man who has a passion for doing his job, the City Tree Farm and volunteer programs were one of them.  The City of Fort Worth is in his debt. 
 

City of Grapevine - Hitting a Home Run for Trees

What does a Tree City USA do when over 100 trees are going to get bulldozed?   The City of Grapevine decided to go to bat for them.   As a Tree City USA for 22 years, the City of Grapevine stepped up to the plate to try and hit a home run for those trees.  The Oak Grove Ball field Complex is undergoing an extreme makeover and many large trees were going to be in the way of progress.  The Parks & Recreation Department decided to move and replant as many trees as possible, prior to the demolition and construction.   The larger trees, 10” - 14 “in caliper, were hand dug and moved with a crane.  The smaller 4” – 9” caliper trees were dug using a tree spade.  All the trees were moved to a temporary nursery adjacent to the project site.  Now that construction is complete the trees are being moved back and incorporated into the new ball field landscape plan.  These transplanted trees will make an immediate impact on the look of our new ball fields.  

Unfortunately, many trees could not be moved. The design team was charged to modify the design to save as many of the large trees as possible.  In the center of the complex is a grove of Live Oak trees that are 20” in caliper.  These trees were impractical to move efficiently.  Thanks to the determination of City staff and the skill of the design team, the design of the new complex was altered to save five of the Live Oaks trees.  The Live Oaks trees will be the focal point of the pedestrian plaza for the new complex.  The playground design was altered as well to incorporate existing Cedar Elm and Chinese Pistache trees into the new playground area that will provide shade for the children in the playground.   Several of the fields’ fence lines were also shortened to save several existing Post Oak trees. 

The City of Grapevine feels like they have Hit a Home Run for the trees on this project!
 

Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve

The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve was a vision of Southlake citizens for at least 15 years and 2006 was the first year that funds were allocated by the City, the land where the nature center exists was acquired, and the construction of the facilities began. The nature center is a 501c3 organization whose mission is to:

* Provide places of quiet recreation that promote respect for all forms of life

* Foster learning experiences about North Texas Natural Environment and Urban Forestry

* Engender an enduring sense of community and its natural history

* Preserve our natural resources

The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is located on 58 acres in the far north boundary of the City of Southlake. Surrounding the center is over 448 acres of City owned property and US Army Corps of Engineers property that makes up Bob Jones Park. Previous to being designated for a nature center the property was a working horse farm. The entire 58 acres was partially donated and purchased from the Tucker and Farhat families who lived on the property. The existing home and surrounding area was renovated to serve as the nature center classrooms and facilities.

On April 19, 2008 the Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve was officially opened. The grand opening ran the entire month of April and included a variety of nature education activities and a variety of groups. Since before the opening of the nature center its committee members, city staff, and volunteers have been conducting classes at the center on such items as tree and plant identification, bird watching and identification, insect identification, animal track identification, and native plant gardening. The Nature Center Committee also produces a quarterly news letter called “The Oak and Acorn”, which provides educational information about the Cross Timbers region and a calendar of events that are occurring at the Nature Center and within Bob Jones Park.

The Bob Jones Nature Center and Preserve is very involved with the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council (CTUFC) and houses the CTUFC Cross Timbers Exhibit. It has also provided workshop space for presentations by the Botanical Research Institute of Texas (B.R.I.T.), the Outdoor Action KidS (OAKS) project, Girl Scout and Boy Scout projects, and team building activities for local business and the City of Southlake staff.

The Bob Jones Nature Center is still in its infancy and the Bob Jones Park is still developing. In the future the center will encompass even more land and there are endless opportunities for the center to expand its educational efforts, work with Urban Forestry and environmental advocacy groups, businesses, the City of Southlake staff and citizens, and provide education initiatives that will make a significant impact in the Cross Timbers Region.
 

Outstanding Public Tree Stewardship (Ft. Worth PID #6)

The Public Improvement District Assessment Act (Chapter 372 of the Local Government Code) allows any city to levy and collect special assessments on property that is within the city or within the city’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ).

A Public Improvement District may be formed to perform any of the following improvements:

1. Water, wastewater, health and sanitation, or drainage improvements
2. Street and sidewalk improvements
3. Mass transit improvements
4. Parking improvements
5. Library improvements 
6. Park, recreation, and cultural improvements
7. Landscaping and other aesthetic improvements
8. Art installation
9. Creation of pedestrian malls
10. Similar improvements
11. Supplemental safety services for the improvement of the district, including public safety and security services
12. Supplemental business-related services for the improvement of the district.

Created in 1998, the City of Fort Worth’s PID 6 maintains approximately five miles of public right of ways and around 100 acres of parkland. Annually, PID 6 spends anywhere from $60K to $90K on tree care/maintenance and another $20K on planting trees. In addition to their other tree planting projects, for the last 5 seasons, PID6 has partnered with the City through the Tree Grant program to plant over an additional 225 trees on public park property throughout the Arcadia Park system to enhance the park area and to help improve the environment.

PID 6 has also retained the services of an arborist to maintain the trees on an ongoing basis and to conduct a tree inventory in the entire PID 6 area. To date, over 2,088 trees have been individually inventoried and tagged, with more being added annually. This inventory has become a database of each individual tree, its characteristics and any maintenance issues that need to be addressed.

To put it simply, because of their demonstrated commitment to providing a continuing level of service in maintaining public trees, above and beyond what the City of Fort Worth could do on its own, PID6 is worthy of being recognized with a regional urban forestry award for excellence in public tree stewardship.
 

Ft Worth Botanic Gardens - Texas Native Forest Boardwalk

A component of the Garden’s 1991 master plan and a gift of the Fort Worth Botanical Society, the boardwalk’s purpose is to provide a safe pedestrian walkway between the north and south ends of the Garden, to enhance visitor experience, and to educate the public about forest ecology.  Thirteen educational stations line the 955-foot-long boardwalk.  The boardwalk also features physical fitness activities that support K-5 physical education objectives as outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  There are two main features of the physical fitness program. The first is the built-in “activity path,” which runs alongside the conventional concrete pathway, and offers a sequence of forty-four steps including hopping, stretch-stepping, straddling, and balance beams. Second, in support of the animal life on the boardwalk and of science TEKS and the “Living in a Community” thread, are invitations to walk like five animals (raccoon, coyote, deer, tortoise, squirrel) encountered by early Texans. Children are instructed in how animals fly, and they mimic the movements of bees, butterflies, dragonflies, flies, birds and bats. “Caterpillar races” are run by the children to enhance team building. Finally, while discussing the uses of native plants by native Americans and settlers, children turn as the sunflower does, tracing the path of the sun across the sky. Teachers see how easy and fun it is to introduce physical fitness into their field trips.  During 2007, 48,000 students experienced the boardwalk through teacher-guided tours.  10,000 middle schoolers visited the boardwalk on scheduled, mandatory field investigations.  In addition, the Garden held its week-long Green Thumb Camp on the boardwalk.  This day camp for children featured a variety of habitat experiences.  On any given day, visitors can be seen walking on the boardwalk.  This special feature in the Garden has clearly met recreational needs of the residents of Fort Worth and increased their knowledge of forest ecology.
 

Sustainability Award: Rolling Hills Tree Farm’s Rainwater Harvesting System

The rainwater harvesting system installed in 2008 at the City of Fort Worth ’s Rolling Hills Municipal Tree Farm presents an innovative, alternative approach to conserving municipal water supplies while operating a production facility.

Through the Neighborhood Tree Planting Program, the City of Fort Worth ’s Parks and Community Services Department provides an average of 1,000 container-grown trees annually for planting in residential parkways. In exchange for a free, 5-gallon tree, residents agree to plant and water the tree until it is established. The well-established program distributes trees on a neighborhood basis through the efforts of a neighborhood liaison and volunteers. The program boasts an 80% survival rate for the last three years. The trees are produced by city staff at the Rolling Hills Municipal Tree Farm.

The tree farm has traditionally relied on the potable, municipal water supply to grow the trees used to “green” the city. More recently, however, in recognition that water supplies are stressed from extended drought conditions, and increased water usage from population growth, Parks Department employees began exploring feasible options for implementing water conservation practices.

In 2008, they installed a 10,000-gallon rainwater harvesting system at the tree farm that is able to capture and use 170,000 gallons of rainwater each year. Collecting 170,000 gallons of water a year, saves enough potable water to meet the average annual demand of one household. The system (comprised of five, 2,000-gallon tanks, a water pump, and all accompanying equipment to plumb the system to the greenhouse gutters) cost $5,000 to install and will pay for itself within a few years in water savings alone. The amount of water collected supplements the irrigation regime for the Neighborhood Tree Planting Program and is used offset the amount used from the municipal water supply.

In addition to making a significant effort to conserve water and reduce expenditures for potable water by installing the rainwater harvesting system, the Parks Department is promoting it as sustainable, green infrastructure and using the system to provide educational outreach about rainwater harvesting and water conservation practices to tree farm visitors and volunteers.

Bronze Leaf Award:
Preserve the Heritage Award
City of Grapevine

PARR PARK BICENTENIAL PECAN TREE PROGRAM
The Parr Park Bicentennial Pecan Tree was recognized in early 1990 by the International Society of Arboriculture as a tree that might have been alive at the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.  This tree was also recognized by Grapevine City Council as a "Historic Tree of the City."  Having survived at least two lightening strikes and the development of Parr Park, this mighty pecan tree fell to the earth during a severe windstorm in May 2007.

The fate of this historic pecan tree moved the community to action.  In honor of the tree, The Woodturners of North Texas were commissioned to create art pieces from the wood including pens, gavels, bowls, eggs, guitars and other items for display and auction.  The money derived from the sell of these items is being used to fund urban forestry programming in the City of Grapevine. 

Girl Scout Brownie Troop 1727 was so moved that they raised money through cookie sales and purchased a Living Legacy Tree that was planted near the location of the Bicentennial Pecan Tree. 

The Parr Park Bicentennial Pecan Tree Program shows that citizens care about their town, neighborhood and natural resources.  Should another historic tree, building or icon end its "life," this program may be used as an example of how to honor its legacy in the hearts and minds of the community for years to come.

Preserve the Heritage Award certificate text:
This Preserve the Heritage Award is presented to the City of Grapevine in recognition of Parr Park Bicentennial Pecan Tree Program which melded community involvement, history and urban forestry into a succinct program that creatively honors the heritage of the historic bicentennial pecan tree.
 

Bronze Leaf Award:
Municipal Program Award
City of Arlington

URBAN FORESTRY INITIATIVE "LET'S ENHANCE ARLINGTON'S FOREST (L.E.A.F.)
The City of Arlington is committed to increasing tree canopy cover and enhancing beautification projects within the city.  One program that is vital to the success of this goal is L.E.A.F. (Let's Enhance Arlington's Forest).  Homeowners and businesses are given the opportunity to receive free trees through this program.  The City holds two rounds of tree giveaways, one in the fall and one in the spring.

The L.E.A.F. program is made possible by a partnership between the City of Arlington and sponsorship by ONCOR/TXU, who agreed to fund multiple years of the program in the amount of $30,000/year!  The results of this partnership are evident already.  In the first fall giveaway alone, over 375 trees were given to 10 neighborhoods and over 50 trees were given to 6 commercial properties.

Municipal Program Award certificate text:
This Municipal Program Award is presented to the City of Arlington in recognition of the L.E.A.F. Program for involving corporate stewardship and sponsors in an effort to increase tree canopy and enhance beautification projects in Arlington.
 

Bronze Leaf Award:
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Arlington Conservation Council and Green Arlington Foundation

MOLLY HOLLAR'S VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE WILDSCAPE AT VETERAN'S PARK IN ARLINGTON
Molly Hollar has been the driving force behind the establishment of the Molly Hollar Wildscape at Veterans Park in Arlington.  In 1994, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department awarded a grant to the Arlington Conservation Council for the development of an urban wildscape.  With the help of many volunteers, Molly was able to match the $3,000 grant with donations of money, goods and labor.  Molly designed a landscaping plan that incorporated native, organically-grown, low-water plants.  In addition to planting native plants, Molly and her volunteers moved boulders, added mulch and soil, established rainwater irrigation, created trails, and removed invasive species.  The end result is a restored example of our local Cross Timbers habitat.

The Wildscape opened to the public in 1995 and in 1999, it received the Mayor's Urban Design Award.  In 2000, because of its broad community appeal, Northrop Grumman selected the Wildscape for its Project Good Turn.  $100,000 worth of hardscape was installed including a 12' X 15' pavilion, 140' of boardwalk, two bridges, 5 kiosks, 10 benches and numerous directional & interpretive signs.  In all, Northrop Grumman employees and their families gave at least 1,800 hours of volunteer time for this project.

For nearly two decades, under Molly's leadership, the Wildscape has evolved from a dream and concept to become a reality.  It has grown from a half acre site to 3.5 acres.  Molly has overseen the expansion of the park, 32,000 volunteer hours, many grants, and numerous spin-off projects.  The influence of the Wildscape cannot be under-estimated; spin-offs include native plant courtyards at several elementary schools and museums, a community garden at a local church, a native plant propagation greenhouse, Earthday celebrations and tours of the Wildscape, and volunteer-led guided walks through the park.  Education of the Cross Timbers ecosystem and native plants is contagious!  And Molly Hollar has done more than her share of spreading the word by example over the past two decades.

Volunteer of the Year Award certificate text:
This Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to Molly Hollar in recognition for her tireless efforts to design and develop The Wildscape at Veterans Park in Arlington.  Her leadership in restoring a piece of our native Cross Timbers habitat and educate the public on native plants is inspiring.
 

Award of Merit
City of Euless

TREE TRASH TO TREE TREASURE
After the drought of 2006, City of Euless Forestry crews noticed an increased number of dead and/or fallen trees throughout the parks.  Instead of chipping and mulching the dead and downed trees, the crews decided to turn these resources into additional benefits.  The trees were collected and were worked into benches that are now in use along the trail system in several parks.

This re-use of Euless's natural resources has excited the citizens and has motivated the Parks Department crews to continue developing creative ways to use the resources available, which will save the city money and provide a unique sense of place for Euless's parks.

Award of Merit certificate text:
This Award of Merit is presented to the City of Euless in recognition of the creative re-use of the City's natural resources by designing and building benches from dead and downed trees in the parks.