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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 18, 2010 C-02AGENDA ITEM C4F (1)CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION Im AGENDA TITLE: Presentation by Tree Lodi on the Status of the 2006 Centennial Cork Oak Trees MEETING DATE: August 18,2010 PREPARED BY: Steve Dutra, Park Superintendent RECOMMENDED ACTION: Presentation by Tree Lodi on the status of the 2006 Centennial cork oak trees. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: As part of the City of Lodi's Centennial celebration in 2006, the City, Tree Lodi, and a number of community volunteers undertook projectto plant 100 trees donated by citizens in parks around the City. During the year-long project, 93 cork oak trees were planted in Hale, Lawrence, Salas, Beckman, English Oaks, Kofu, Vinewood, Henry Glaves and Lodi Lake parks. In addition, seven valley oak trees were transplanted on the north side of Lodi Lake. As part of its commitmentto the Centennial oak project, Tree Lodi carried on stewardship of the 100 oak trees over the course of the next three years. At the conclusion of this three year period, a survey was completed which found that although most of the trees were maturing nicely, a number had to be replaced for several reasons. In February 2010, Tree Lodi committed $1,000 to this replanting effort. Members and community volunteers planted 30 cork oak trees in the aforementioned parks in order to bring the total Centennial oak project back up to 100 trees. Tree Lodi has now completed its specific stewardship of the trees and is pleased to turn the care and maintenance of the hundred Centennial oak trees back to the City of Lodi. Tree Lodi thanks the Lodi City Council for their foresight and vision for the urban forest of the community as demonstrated by the Centennial oak project. Maintaining and planting of Lodi's urban forest is an ongoing and rewarding endeavor. Tree Lodi is pleased to play a part in spearheading this effort. FISCAL IMPACT: None FUNDING AVAILABLE: None JMR\SD:tl aures M. Rodems Interim Parks and Recreation Director , Interim City Manager City cfLodi Centennial OakProject 2006-2010 As part of the city of Lodi's Centennial year celebration in 2006, the city, Tree Lodi, and a number of community volunteers undertook a project to plant one hundred (loo) oak trees, donated by citizens, in parks around the city. During the year-long project ninety-three (93) cork oak trees were planted in Hale, Lawrence, Salas, Beckman, English Oaks, Kofu, Vinewood, Glaves, and Lodi Lake parks, as well as seven (7) Valley Oak trees that were transplanted on the north side of Lodi Lake. As part of its commitment to the Centennial Oak Project, Tree Lodi carried on stewardship of the loo oak trees over the course of the next three years. At the conclusion of this three-year period a survey was completed which found that although most of the trees were maturing nicely, a number had to be replaced for several reasons. In February, 2olo, Tree Lodi committed $ 1,000 to this replanting effort, and members and several community volunteers planted 30 cork oak trees, where needed, in the afore mentioned parks in order to bring the total Centennial Oak Project back up to 100 trees. Tree Lodi has now completed its specific stewardship of the trees and is pleased to burn the care and maintenance of the hundred Centennial Oak Trees back to the City of Lodi. The Centennial Oak Trees are all around us. As you leave the Council Chambers this evening be sure to pay a visit to the first tree planted in the Centennial Oak Project during a special ceremony held on February 7, 2006. It is located just east of the walkway entrance to the building. The last tree planting occurred at Hutchins Street Square, December 6,2006, on the east side of the auditorium.. Keep these two trees in mind as you visit the various parks in the community that also proudly display Centennial Oak Trees. Tree Dodi thanks the Lodi City Council for their foresight and vision for the urban forest of the community as demonstrated by the Centennial Oak Project. In another five years we will witness dramatic growth m these trees as well as the many other trees of various varieties Tree Lodi has had the pleasure of planting in parks around the city as part of other projects. Can you imagine these trees twenty-five, forty, and fifty years from now? As we look ahead, our next major urban forestry project will be the planting of more than two hundred (2 0 0 ) trees in the new DeBenedetti Park area during the spring of 2011. Tree Lodi is presently undertaking the promoting of this project, the raising of funds for the trees, and gathering the four -hundred (400) community volunteers who will be planting the trees. Maintaining and the planting of Lodi's urban forest is an on-going and rewarding endeavor. Three Lodi is pleased to play a part in spearheading this effort. A visit to our website, www.TreeLodi.org, provides a page of local events that we have been involved in over the past five years of our existence. Tree Lodi is committed to the preservation of trees Did you know that Lodi has an urban forestry organization? Since its founding in 2005, Tree Lodi, Inc. has become increasingly involved in the preservation, planting and promotion of trees for the beautification of our city. Tree Lodi's first big project, commissioned by the Lodi City Council, was he planting of many of the 100 Centennial Cork Oak Trees in 2006 --the first in front of Carnegie Hall and the last at Hutchins Street Square. "Almost every park in Lodi has benefited from the efforts of Tree Lodi", stated Steve Dutra, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. "Lodi is fortunate to have this strong organization", said founder, Joyce Harmon, "Although we are a small group, we have arborists, horticulturists, a nursery owner, teachers, and enthusiastic citizens among our members." According to president Gordon Schmierer, the Lodi City Council has been especially supportive and has recently commissioned Tree Lodi's next big project --partnering with the city in establishing the new DeBenedetti Park on Lower Sacramento Road at Century Blvd. where the group will be planting 200 trees with the help of 400 volunteers. This community effort will hopefully be completed by Arbor Day, 2011. Volunteers are already signing up and donations are being accepted. Lodi Lake Park Nature Area Reforestation, April, 2010, with CL.EW'S(Stu(lent and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) Did you know that Tree Lodi is affiliated with The Community Foundation through an endowment that benefits Lodi's trees, and that we participate in Ardor Day and Earth Day celebrations at schools and parks, all of which include tree plantings where we focus on educating students about trees by having them assist us? Arbor Day Celebration at Lawrence Elementary School, April, 9, 2010 Are you aware that Tree Lodi has a Memorial Tree Program that is free to applicants and that memorial trees and gardens have been planted at Lodi Lake Park and Vinewood Park? We also contributed to the renovation of the Sunshine Trail at Micke Grove. Memorial Tree Planting, Lodi Lake Park, November, 2006 Did you know that Tree Lodi has planted 30 free front yard trees for homeowners and participated in two events at Hutchins Square sponsored by Lodi Electric Utility, where Tree Lodi assisted homeowners in planting trees donated by the city? Our aim is to keep adding to Lodi's tree canopy with each event. Have you noticed the row of trees planted at Lawrence Park to replace trees that will be removed when Lockeford St. is widened? Would you participatewith your neighbors in a plan to remove mistletoe? rue/Workshop, March, 2010 Does Tree Lodi have a project that interests you? For more information on Tree Lodi's activities and future plans, please go to our website, www.TreeLodi.org Monthly meeting are held on the 2nd and 0 Tuesday at 6:30 PM in the Parks and Recreation Annex, 111 N. Stockton St. For details, please call 209-334- 6668 or 209-368-9013. Remember, volunteering is "in" and Lodi's trees are yours to enjoy.* *NOTE: This article was published, in part, in the Panorama section of the Lodi News -Sentinel, June 25,2010 August 16,2010 Dear Friend, P.S. The trees in DeBenedetti Park vIll be Your Legacy when you donate. Tree Lodi Inc., 2715 W Kettleman Lane, Ste 203-126, Lodi, CA 95242 www.T'reeLodi.org All gifts are taxdeductible. Tree Dodi is a 501(c)(3) organization. MudD #2810577 DeBenedetti Park has been twenty-five years in the making. The property is forty- nine acres located at the carer of Lower Sacramento Road and Century Boulevard Gordon Schmierer It will become our newest city park; serving as our premier sports complex with Pxesici t playing fields and otherpublicfeatures. Steve Dutra Vice President This is good news. You have an opportunity to share vkh Mm Lodi in the JoyceHarmon development of the park with your donation toward 200 trees and materials for RmMarien planting in the spring, 2011. Tme Lodi is a community based non-profit Treasurer organization created to promote and advocate the planting, maintenance and preservation ofLodi's urban forest. Directors Richard Blackston Ansi Kutlik In the past five years, Tree Lodi has completed some large projects, like the planting an Hobson of 100 Centennial Cork Oak trees in various parks and locations throughout the city. Bmee Schweigerdt We also share with communitypartners in Arbor Day, Fath Day, and MmCity USA at schools and city parks by planting trees and educating the public about the benefits stewards NMe Butcher of trees and how to care for them Darrell Drummond GerryFM This is your burn to be a msnber of the team with a donation that will be used for Ray Fyl DeBenedetti Park's completion. The city has contracted for utilities, landscaping, nenx Jusno and other property requirements, but the city has limited funding. The basic concept Naherncy MilnNakamura Nancy Nakamura is for eve dollar that is donated, one dollar more can be spent on the construction of ►'Y �, p Robert Raingruber the park. Vern weigum Tree Lodi has received verbal support from local civic clubs, school groups, churches, the itrfnediate neighborhood of this park and community individuals. While we are receiving help from these groups, we still need your donation in order to reach our goal of $25,000 so that we can continue plans for our new park that everyone can enjoy. Sincerely, Gordon S o ' erer Sr., President P.S. The trees in DeBenedetti Park vIll be Your Legacy when you donate. Tree Lodi Inc., 2715 W Kettleman Lane, Ste 203-126, Lodi, CA 95242 www.T'reeLodi.org All gifts are taxdeductible. Tree Dodi is a 501(c)(3) organization. MudD #2810577 GOALS • PROMOTE - To encourage members of the community to engage in the planting and maintenance of trees throughout Lodi • ADVOCATE - To speak on behalf of Lodi's urban forest— -- • EDUCATION - To provide current and accurate information to the commu- nity concerning tree issues • STEWARDSHIP -To teach the citi- zens of Lodi to be managers of our urban forest COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - To involve the citizens of Lodi in their urban forest Magnificent colorsadorn Hutchins Street St " :. Trees I bloom beautify Church Street in the 1 Who Is Tree Lodi? "Tree Lodi is a communitybased non-profit organization created to promote and advocate for the planting, maintenance and preservation of Lodi's urban forest through education, stewardship and community involvement" Ne are teachers, homemakers, arborists, )usiness owners, managersand retired folks ... citizensjust like you. We appreciate trees, what they do for our community and the environment. We are determined to make a difference in Lodi's urban forest. Our group is involved in local beautification projects and we work in cooperation with the City of Lodi, Lodi Unified School District, community organizations, local businesses, and citizens. Min me -n veli inhlc room irncfnr 4hnco IN, Benefits of Trees k„ow • Increase propertyvalues • Beautify business districts, encourage pedestrian traffic and provide longer shopping enjoyment • Provide shade and save energy costs • Provide oxygen and reduce pollution • Prevent soil erosion • Provide shelter for wildlife • Provide privacy Right Tree ... Right Place • Does your tree have enough room to grow and reach its mature size? • Have you selected the righttree for your yard and will it provide enough shade? • Is the area too wet or dryfor the type of tree you have selected? • Will yourtree interfere with overhead utility wires when it reachesfull size? Get involved today iii We are lookingfor citizens, businessesand community groups who want to make a difference in our wonderful town. Stand up and take pride in our community! Help us work toward a goal of ensuring that future generations of Lodianswill have beautiful tree lined streets in which to live, work, and play. We can all be proud that Lodi is a distinguished Tree City USA so let's keep the legacy going. Call or email us today for more information. We lookforward to seeingyou at a future Tree Lodi event. Vinewood School students lend a hand planting trees in Vinewood Park Community members get involved by planting trees in Was Park