6.2. SR 02-16-2016
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 6.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Presentations, Awards February 16, 2016Michael Hecker, Parks and Recreation Director
and Recognition
Item Description Reviewed by
Forestry Presentation, Sherburne Soil and Water Cal Portner, City Administrator
Conservation District
Reviewed by
Action Requested
No action request.
Background/Discussion
Resource Conservationist Gina Hugo from the Sherburne Soil and Water Consecration District will make
a brief presentation to the City Council on Community Forestry programs.
The City of Elk River continues to work closely with Ms. Hugo on a variety of forestry programs that
engage community volunteers.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
Sherburne Soil and Water Conservation District memo
Sherburne Soil and WaterConservation District
14855 Highway 10
Elk River, MN 55330
Ph. (763) 241-1170 ext. 3
Fax (763) 241-1161
Website: www.sherburneswcd.org
To: Elk River City Council
From: Gina Hugo, Resource Conservationist
CC: Michael Hecker, Park Director
Tim Sevcik, Park Maintenance Superintendent
Kristin Mroz, Environmental Specialist
Date: January 26, 2016
Re: Community Forestry Programs Update
Benefits Provided by Trees
MN Shade Tree Advisory Committee
The Soil & Water Conservation District has been coordinating
community forestry programming throughout Sherburne County
Communities since 2013.
Over the last three years the efforts have expanded. Programs strive to
engage community volunteers in tree planting and care. In 2015, the
SWCD was awarded a full time GreenCorps Service Member for an 11-
Consumption
month term which has increased our capacity to serve Elk River and
Reduced traffic speeds
other communities within the County.
The Citizen Pruner Program is a pilot program through the University of MN modeled after the highly
successful volunteer program that originated in New York City. Certified volunteers all receive 8 hours of
training and are required to pass a competency assessment. The SWCD has worked closely with Elk River
Parks to utilize Citizen Pruners to assist with pruning maintenance of park and other city maintained
landscapes.
In 2016, the SWCD will be rolling out a new addition to the community forestry efforts called the My
Neighborhood Trees Program. The goals of the pilot program are to increase resilience of existing
neighborhood tree populations, identified as vulnerable; and to empower homeowners with knowledge
and skills to plant more trees on their own.
Your community tree population serves you and your residents. It is our pleasure to implement programs
that contribute to its health and sustainability. We look forward to providing a brief update at your City
Council meeting on February 16.