The Arkansas Urban Forestry Council takes an active role in increasing the public's awareness of the value of trees. Given here are a few examples of some of the projects AUFC has been involved with. If you are interested in taking part in future projects please contact AUFC.
Arbor Day Ceremony
In honor of State Arbor Day, a celebration with tree-planting was held on April 29, 2010 at University of Arkansas Community College campus in Batesville, Arkansas. Before the celebration, AUFC, in partnership with University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, held an Urban Tree Care Workshop. President Frazier, UACCB, and Dr. Tamara Walkingstick, University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture, issued a welcome to the Arbor Day Celebration attendees. An Arbor Day declaration was made by Mayor Elumbaugh. Patti Erwin, Arkansas Forestry Commission, spoke about the importance of leaving a legacy, and a tree poem was read by Bob Pest, a Batesville Tree Board supporter.
AUFC Annual Conference
The AUFC Annual Conference advances the mission of AUFC by providing an annual learning and networking event.
Highlights include:
• Educational Sessions
• Awards Ceremonies
• Social
• Exhibitors
The 19th Annual AUFC Conference was held February 8-10, 2010 at Holiday Inn City Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas. It was held in conjunction with Arkansas Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference and Tradeshow and with Arkansas Therapeutic Recreation Society Conference. A fish fry with entertainment was held at River Park Glass Pavilion. Approximately 55 people were in attendance for the AUFC session.
At AUFC’s 2010 annual awards banquet, Diamond Bank was recognized as Outstanding Business of the Year, Linda Palmer was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, the City of Prescott was recognized as Outstanding Community of the Year and Leigh Kreimeier was recognized as Outstanding Professional of the Year.
Arborist Service Day
On September 16, 2006, the AUFC held an Arborist Service Day in Conway, Arkansas at the Conway Human Development Center, a state-managed residential training facility for people with developmental disabilities. The property consists of approximately 409 acres with numerous trees, however; they do not have the resources or manpower to do their own tree work.
Even though we had a very small turnout of volunteers (15 people total), we were able to complete several thousand dollars worth of needed tree work for this facility because we had the use of three bucket trucks, one chipper and several tree climbers.
The AUFC was represented by Chuck Daniels, Dr. Lynne Thompson, Chris Stuhlinger, and Mike Parsons. The Ouachita Job Corps Urban Forestry Division from Hot Springs furnished their bucket truck, chipper, and chainsaws along with the services of Ron VanWechel and Motak Abon, instructors; Travis Hartsell, Jordan Bland, Russell Isbell, Glenn Denton, and Dan Odell, students. Mike Parsons & Son Tree Service from Bauxite furnished their bucket truck and chainsaws along with the services of Mike Parsons, Harvey Brown and David Brewer. Quality Tree Service from Vilonia furnished their bucket truck and chainsaws along with the services of Don and Debbie Page. The Arkansas Forestry Commission was represented by Larry Nance, Deputy State Forester.
Arkansas ReLeaf Project
The Arkansas ReLeaf Project was held in Janssen Park in Mena on November 12, 2009. A tornado tore through Mena on April 9, destroying the Polk County Courthouse, damaging much of the west side of Mena, killing three people and damaging or destroying more than 100 homes. The damage included destroyed trees and landscaping throughout the city, particularly in Janssen Park.
The Arkansas ReLeaf Project was part of the ReGreen Mena project. Diamond Bank established the ReGreen Mena initiative in June 2009, and AUFC donated $2,000 to ReGreen Mena toward the purchase of trees to replace those lost in Janssen Park. At Janssen Park on November 12, AUFC Board members Sandy Davies, Patti Erwin, Greg Howe, Gene Lichliter, Tamara Walkingstick, and Preston Smith were volunteers. Betty Watkins of the Arkansas Forestry Commission and AmeriCorps members were also on hand to help. First National Bank of Mena was a sponsor. Forty-nine trees were planted and 8,600 truckloads of debris from the tornado damage were hauled out of town.
Maintaining Urban Landscapes Workshop
AUFC, in partnership the Arkansas Forestry Commission, held a Maintaining Urban Landscapes Workshop on April 13, 2010 at Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Petit Jean, Arkansas. Guest speaker was Randy Gordon, Program Director, Arbor Day Foundation, Nebraska City, Nebraska, who talked about, “Shooting Starts or Sustainable Programs: Five Filters of Impact in Urban Forestry.” The educational workshop drew in 26 participants who learned a number of tree management skills. Topics included: Emerald Ash Borer Awareness; Protecting Trees during Construction; Tree Selection, Planting and Establishment for Riparian Buffers; and Soils and Planting Spaces – Getting the Roots Out. Speakers were from City of Fayetteville, US Forest Service, AFC and University of Arkansas Forest Resources Center.
