Coordinator’s Corner — Grant Writing Tips and Webinar

Grants can be an excellent source of funding for those special projects you have not been able to implement due to budget constraints. If you have a project “in the wings,” consider joining us for a grant writing webinar and applying for one of the two grants we announced last month in Tree Link. You …

Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook, Download it Today!

The DNR Urban Forestry Program, in partnership with the Washington Invasive Species Council, received a grant from the USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop what we are calling the “Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook.” The Problem Being Addressed by the Playbook A single detected pest can, and often does, indicate the …

Timely Tree Tips–Keep your Fallen Leaves

Starting in late summer or early fall, deciduous trees and shrubs begin sucking all the sugars and other goodies out their leaves as an important step in a march toward dormancy. Yet there are other valuable micronutrients that remain locked up in leaves’ cellular structures. Once leaves reach the forest floor, they become a buffet …

How Prescribed Burns Can Prevent Wildfires and Renew Ecosystems

This article was republished as it initially appeared in DNR's Ear to the Ground blog on October 14, 2019 Plumes of black smoke rising ominously over the horizon. Bright orange flames licking up from the forest floor with dizzying speed. A canvas of black and white scorched earth left behind. The destructive images from the …

Coordinator’s Corner — Environmental Justice and Trees

October is Urban and Community Forestry Month. When you read Governor Inslees’s proclamation, it is easy to see why trees are worth celebrating. Why? Here is a short list of the benefits trees provide. Trees can: Beautify the places where we live, work and play Reduce energy costs (think shade) Increase home values Keep our air …

Free Webinar: Urban Forest Pest Readiness Playbook

Invasive insects such as Asian longhorned beetle and the emerald ash borer have collectively killed millions of trees in North America, and Washington has been fortunate to avoid those two particular buggers thus far. We do, however, have established populations of both Asian and European gypsy moths in western Washington, which are annually monitored and …

Coordinator’s Corner — September

It is time to for us to say goodbye to summer as we look forward to a new season. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start preparing for fun fall tree-related community and volunteer events. Volunteers are often the heart of urban and community forestry programs. Their passion and advocacy can help …