Tree Ambassadors will be trained in the basics of urban forestry, leadership, and community organizing. As a Tree Ambassador, you will work in teams to develop projects which could include tree walks, invasive species removal workdays, and/or tree plantings. No previous tree experience is necessary, only a desire to learn and a passion for urban greenery.

 After the initial training, ambassadors are expected to volunteer five to 10 hours per month for two years and attend one additional training per year.

Seattle’s reLeaf Program is part of Seattle Public Utilities’ mission to protect local waterways by preventing pollution, restoring natural habitat, and slowing the flow of stormwater. Protecting and planting native conifers, like Douglas fir, provides one of the best ways to absorb stormwater, reduce landslides, prevent polluted runoff, and protect local waterways.

The Emerald City

Working to implement the Urban Forest Management Plan’s (UFMP) goals, City staff adopt annual work plans and issue annual progress reports. The UFMP is a long-term plan for increasing Seattle’s canopy cover from 23% to 30% by 2037.  Staff from the Urban Forest interdepartmental team presented the 2011 progress report to Council’s Planning, Land Use and Sustainability committee on February 29. They also presented their 2012 workplan, which includes goals for tree planting, management, and outreach in the community.

At the same Council meeting, members of the Urban Forestry Commission presented their 2011 annual report and 2012 workplan. The nine-member UFC consists of a wildlife biologist; an urban ecologist; a representative of a local, state, or federal natural resource agency or an accredited university; a hydrologist; a certified arborist; a representative of a non-profit or non-governmental organization; a representative of the development community or a representative from a non-city utility; and an economist, financial analyst, or Washington State license real estate broker. The arborist position is currently vacant and a new member being recruited.

 For more information about all the City’s programs and policies on trees and how you can get involved, visit the Seattle reLeaf website.

To be considered, applicants must have board certification as a Master Arborist or Municipal Specialist from the International Society of Arboriculture; or certification by the American Society of Consulting Arborists; or background and experience in Tree Risk Assessment from a recognized credential agency or a professional organization.

This position is appointed by City Council for a renewable, three-year term. The nine-member UFC consists of a wildlife biologist; an urban ecologist; a representative of a local, state or federal natural resource agency or an accredited university; a hydrologist; a certified arborist; a representative of a non-profit or non-governmental organization; a representative of the development community or a representative from a non-city utility; and an economist, financial analyst, or Washington State licensed real estate broker.

To be apply, please email your letter of interest and resume to Sandra Pinto de Bader, (Sandra.Pinto_de_Bader@seattle.gov).  To send a paper submittal, address it to:  Sandra Pinto de Bader, Urban Forestry Commission Coordinator, Urban Forestry Commission, Office of Sustainability and Environment, City of Seattle, 700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2748. PO Box 94729, Seattle, WA 98124-4729. The recruitment process closes on April 13, 2012.

The Urban Forestry Commission was established in 2009, by Ordinance 123052 to advise the Mayor and City Council concerning the establishment of policy and regulations governing the protection, management, and conservation of trees and vegetation in the City of Seattle. Commission meetings are held twice a month on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Commission members generally must commit approximately 10 hours per month to Commission business and serve without compensation. Additional information about the Urban Forestry Commission can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/urbanforestrycommission.

The City of Seattle set the bold goal of achieving 30 percent tree canopy cover by 2037 to increase the environmental, social, and economic benefits trees bring to Seattle residents. The 2007 Seattle Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP) is a comprehensive strategy for increasing Seattle’s tree canopy cover to meet the 30 percent target. The UFMP lays out goals and a broad range of actions to be implemented over time to preserve, maintain, and plant trees as well as restore the public forested areas remaining in the city. More information about Seattle’s urban forest program can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/trees/management.htm

A happy resident with newly planted tupelo tree

The 2011 Trees for Neighborhoods program was a great success! The program provided 1,000 trees to Seattle residents for planting in their yards and planting strips. Altogether, 75 fruit trees, 400 small trees, and 525 medium to large trees were given out (see map graphic below for distribution). 135 of the trees distributed were approved by SDOT arborists for planting as street trees at 75 residences throughout the City. 36.5% of the trees went to addresses on the south side of Seattle, and 30.4% went to addresses in Northwest Seattle and Ballard, areas with lower existing canopy cover. Program outreach was targeted to these neighborhoods to support the Urban Forest Management Plan goals for canopy cover.

Participants attended a workshop on how to properly plant and care for their young trees and received free watering bags, coupons for free compost, and educational materials providing information about tree planting and care. Thanks to everyone who played a part in carrying out the program!

Where trees were planted in 2011's Trees for Neighborhoods program

Photo by Jacob Moyer

The Trees for Neighborhoods program provides free trees, waterbags and training to Seattle residents who’d like more trees around their homes. The application period is still open for trees to plant in yards, and a variety of large trees is still available. Learn more at the Trees for Neighborhoods website.

Healthy, mature trees provide many benefits to people and the environment, including wildlife habitat, stormwater management, and reduction in energy use. To maximize benefits, plant a tree with the largest mature size that fits your space. Large conifers grow so tall in our region and produce a larger volume of leaf area on a smaller footprint – using the same amount of yard space but working even harder to take in carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and filter out air pollutants.

The application period for street tree permits has closed. We are currently out of Asian pear, paperbark maple, Japanese snowbell, and Eastern redbud. You may still apply for these trees, but will be placed on a waitlist.

Photo by Jacob Moyer

The Trees for Neighborhoods program is happy to offer free trees to Seattle residents again this year. You can apply for up to four trees to plant in your yard (it is possible to plant in the parking strip, but you must let the program manager know to coordinate the required permit). There’s a great selection to choose from:

• Asian pear ‘Shinseiki’ (fruiting)
• Paperbark maple (Acer griseum)
• Eastern redbud (Cercis candandensis)
• Japanese snowbell (Styrax japonica ‘Snowcone’)
• Shore pine (Pinus contorta ‘Contorta’)
• Weeping Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Glauca Pendula’)
• Rivers purple beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Riversii’)
• Tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica ‘Wildfire’)
• Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodora)
• Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)

Tree supply is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis. Trees will be available for pick up starting in late October. In addition to your tree(s), you will receive a watering bag for each tree, training on proper planting and care, and a coupon for a free bag of Gro-Co compost.

Seattle currently has 23% tree cover and a goal to reach 30% tree cover – and gain the many benefits that go along with trees. But we can’t reach that goal without the help and support of Seattle’s residents!

 As part of the City’s efforts to reach this goal, OSE’s Urban Forestry team launched an exciting new Tree Ambassador program this spring in conjunction with the Cascade Land Conservancy. The Tree Ambassador program recruits volunteer residents to work in neighborhood teams. These teams act as stewards of the urban forest and serve as resources for their local community. Tree Ambassadors are trained in the basics of urban forestry, leadership, and community organizing. Each team then puts together projects aimed at engaging their neighbors in residential tree planting and care. The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program.

 In its initial year, the Tree Ambassador program has seven neighborhood teams. These teams began training just three months ago, yet have already accomplished a lot, with more great work on the horizon. Some of the great projects the Tree Ambassadors have already done include:

• The Capitol Hill team mulched, weeded and cared for 113 street trees
• The Greenlake team received a grant from the Department of Neighborhoods to develop a mobile application for a Tree Walk around Greenlake Park
• The Maple Leaf team presented at their neighborhood ice cream social on the importance of conifers to their neighborhood

OSE’s vision is to have Tree Ambassador teams active in every Seattle neighborhood. If you are interested in supporting the tree canopy in your neighborhood, consider joining the fun and applying to be a Tree Ambassador yourself. The next round of applications will be in the spring of 2012.

Even though it felt like it took a long time to get here,  it looks like spring is finally here to stay. Anxious to finally get your hands dirty in your garden? As you carefully tend to your veggies, flowers and plants, don’t forget your trees as well! As the weather gets warmer and the rain lessens (we hope) your trees will need even more attention.

Have a question about caring for your trees? Ask a tree expert!

April 29 is National Arbor Day, the day established in 1872 to encourage tree planting and care. You can celebrate here in Seattle this Saturday, April 23, from noon to 4 p.m. at the City of Seattle’s official Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration. OUT for Sustainability will be working to restore a stretch of the Cheshiahud Loop on the eastern shore of Lake Union from Fairview Avenue N to Terry Pettus Park (E Newton Street). As part of the Earth Gay-Arbor Day celebration, the Seattle Department of Transportation will contribute and plant three trees at the intersection of Fairview and Blaine. Seattle will be receiving the “Tree City USA” award at this event for the 26th year, an honor Seattle has earned from the National Arbor Day Foundation for Seattle’s dedication to maintaining and improving the urban forest.

More information and registration can be found here.