Coordinator’s Corner–January

Winter means rain in western Washington. Rain that sheets over impervious surfaces, collecting debris and toxins that can, in turn, be carried to urban stream systems degrading water quality and imperiling aquatic habitats. Stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in Washington’s waters. During this legislative session, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz …

Announcing a New Grant Program for 2019!

The Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz challenged DNR's Urban Forestry Program and the Washington Community Forestry Council (WCFC) to dedicate some energy and resources to issues of equity in urban forestry. In turn, the DNR Urban Forestry Program and the WCFC have wholeheartedly embraced this challenge. DNR's Urban Forestry staff have been working with …

Faces of Urban Forestry: Philip Bennett

Name: Philip Bennett Professional Role: Urban Forester for the City of Snoqualmie & City Arborist for the City of Clyde Hill Other Affiliations: President, Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) Favorite Tree: European columnar hornbeam, Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’ (Tough to name just one) What was your career path into Urban Forestry: …

Timely Tree Tips — When the Wind Blows…

Most people, and utility companies especially, prefer not see the boughs break. That said, wind plays an important role in trees becoming more resilient—you guessed it—wind! Or maybe you didn’t guess that because it sounds weird...that’s okay! Let’s work through it: On a day with no wind, a tree stands in a neutral position. When …

Worried About Storms and Power Outages?

This article was reprinted as it originally appeared on the DNR blog "Ear to the Ground" Recent blasts of wind in Washington helps us appreciate the work of local utilities. They help our homes stay warm and toasty and keep the lights on during these darkening days of December. Yet, as our annual storm season …

Coordinator’s Corner — December

Tree season is here! You know it’s December (or at least sometime after Thanksgiving) when cars drive by with Christmas trees tied on top, corner lots are filled with evergreen trees, and trees grace the front windows of homes, decorated with sparkling lights that shine through the darkness of deep winter days. Do you have, …

Plans to Launch 2019 Grants in January (a sneak-peek)

This year our Small Community Forestry Assistance Grants for communities under 10,000 in population was advertised in October and the Letters of Interest we requested from potential applicants were due by December 10th. You may have noticed there was no announcement of grants for larger communities, until now. Well... sort of. Here's the lowdown: Commissioner …