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
The Arkansas Arbor Day celebration was held April 10, 2007 at Murrell Taylor Elementary School in Jacksonville, Arkansas. Jacksonville’s Mayor, Tommy Swaim, read an Arbor Day proclamation and First Electric Cooperative Corporation was presented with a Tree Line City USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. In attendance were 40 representatives from First Electric Coop, 25 student council members, 11 AUFC Board members, as well as several other invited guests.
AUFC 2007 Annual Conference
The 16th Annual AUFC Conference was held in conjunction with the ISA Southern Chapter’s Annual Conference and Trade Show at the Peabody in Little Rock, AR on March 27, 2007. Approximately 36 people were in attendance for the AUFC session. During our session, several representatives from communities and organizations that have received urban and community forestry grants gave highlights of their projects.
Following the morning session, our annual awards luncheon was held. Lynn Mittelstaedt Warren was recognized by the AUFC as Outstanding Volunteer of the year, the City of Mammoth Spring was recognized as Outstanding Community of the year, and the Ouachita Job Corps Urban Forestry Division was recognized as the Outstanding Volunteer Program 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
Several Arkansas residents had little reason to give thanks at Thanksgiving last year when tornadoes damaged homes and property across the State. On November, 18, 2006, the Arkansas Urban Forestry Council tried to bring a little relief to Cherry Hill residents of Perry County damaged by last year’s tornado. The purpose of Arkansas ReLeaf Project is to assist communities damaged by storms by offering tree seedlings, tree planting and tree care information.
The AUFC sponsored the event in partnership with the Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Department, the Perry County 4H clubs, and the Perry County Cooperative Extension Service. Steve Burgess, the AFC urban forestry representative and county forester, and Tamara Walkingstick, AUFC board member and resident of the Cherry Hill area, spoke to a group of around 15 people about proper tree selection, planting, and care. Perry county 4H’ers dug the hole and helped plant an Eastern Red bud tree on the Cherry Hill Volunteer Fire Department grounds. The 4H’ers did all of the work and should be congratulated on a job well done.
After refreshments of home-made cookies and coffee, residents were able to choose a tree seedling to take home and plant on their own property. Several residents expressed thanks to the Council and were very happy to get new trees. All 30 trees found new homes.
Tree Planting and Tree Care Workshop
AUFC, along with the partnership of the Arkansas Forestry Commission and the University of Arkansas, held a Tree Planting and Tree Care Workshop on December 13, 2006 at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The all day workshop drew in 67 participants who learned a number of lessons on tree care and tree planting. Topics included: Tree Planting and Establishment, Tree Diseases, Rights and Responsibilities of Tree Ownership, Tree Care after Establishment, Suitable Trees for Urban Areas, Tree Defects, and Tree Pruning.
