Arbor Day Foundation Draws Industry Leaders at Partners in Community Forestry Conference in the Wake of Natural Disasters
Forestry experts around the world gather for two days of learning and problem solving
LINCOLN, Neb., November 9, 2017 /3BL Media/ - The Arbor Day Foundation will hold the 2017 Partners in Community Forestry Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on November 15–16. The conference is one of the largest urban forestry gatherings of its kind and attracts leading experts from around the world to share the latest practices and lessons in city forest management and citizen engagement.
The series of destructive natural disasters including the wildfires in the Pacific northwest and California, recent hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico and pest infestations like Emerald Ash Borer have devastated urban forests in the last few years, making it more critical than ever for industry experts to gather and discuss how communities are addressing the extensive loss of these tree canopies.
Throughout the conference, presentations will discuss what is happening in urban and community forestry around the country and the challenges communities face. Events are designed to include engaging programming for an array of professionals including arborists, utility and municipal employees, nonprofit volunteers, university students and faculty and corporate partners, to name a few.
“If ever there was a time for trees, it is now,” said Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation. “The recent series of hurricanes that have devastated Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico make this dialogue between public and private sectors more urgent than ever. This meeting brings together public and private leaders to collaborate and find solutions to improve, restore and enhance community forests.”
Forest fires destroy millions of acres of land every year. The loss of forest cover has an overwhelming economic and environmental impact on surrounding areas. Likewise, hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria have damaged millions of trees in yards, parks and forests across Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico. Recovery from natural disasters require public and private partnerships. The conference creates dialogue between government, nonprofit and private entities and allows communities and organizations of all sizes to collaborate on initiatives geared toward recovering and strengthening urban forests.
Topics to be presented include Recent Changes to Urban Tree Cover and Values in the United States, Storms over the Urban Forest and Recovering from the Devastation: Joplin Tornado Update. Conference sponsors include Bartlett Tree Experts, Davey, U.S. Forest Service and Urban & Community Forestry to name a few.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger. More information is available at arborday.org.
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