Tree Board
A Tree Board is a group of people charged, generally by ordinance, with overseeing the needs of the urban forest. Typically, tree boards/commissions are responsible for policy formulation, advising, administration, management, representation and advocacy. The mission of a tree board is usually defined in a tree ordinance.
The following are sample position descriptions for Tree Board members:
The following are sample meeting agendas:
- Monthly (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December)
- Quarterly (First, Second, Third, Fourth)
Tree Board Resources
The Georgia Forestry Commission publishes The Drip Line, a newsletter devoted to Georgia's Tree Boards.
Articles include helpful information about recent issues tree boards may be facing, as well as upcoming events and trainings which tree board members may be interested in attending. In addition each issue will highlight a different Tree Board in Georgia.
The SCF Program foresters are available to assist with tree board training is areas such as:
- Technical activities such as Basic Tree Maintenance, Hazard Tree Assessment, or Tree Conservation
- Tree City USA Program
- Planning issues such as ordinances, budgets, work plans, and Arbor Day celebrations
A Tree Board Roundtable is held each year in the fall in conjunction with the Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC)'s Annual Conference. The session provides an opportunity for participants to solicit advice and information from other tree boards members and Urban Forestry professionals. In addition, tree boards can learn about upcoming events and new information or projects which may impact their activities.
If you are interested in any of these programs and resources, please contact Joan Scales.
Tree Advocacy groups
Tree advocacy groups increase awareness of the benefits of the urban forest, coordinate the planting of thousands of trees, develop educational programs, and provide an essential conduit for volunteer action on the local level. Most of these groups collect membership dues and fund raise.
The Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC) is a statewide organization that works closely with the Sustainable Community Forestry Program of the Georgia Forestry Commission. GUFC, whose mission is to
sustain Georgia's green legacy by helping communities grow healthy trees, offers many professional and educational workshops, meetings and conferences throughout the year.
Some other examples of Tree Advocacy groups are Trees Atlanta, Trees Bartow, Baxley Tree Fest, Coastal Bryan Tree Foundation, Cobb Trees, Trees Columbus, Trees Conyers, Trees Covington, Georgia Urban Forest Council, Trees Macon, Marietta TreeKeepers, ParkPride, Roswell Urban Forest Foundation, and Savannah Tree Foundation.
