The Penn State Extension will host a TreeVitalize Conference, Trees and Community: Rooted in Resilience and Equity May 31 and June 1, 2023 at the Discovery Center in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.

This workshop will gather researchers, community organizers and other stakeholders to cover a variety of topics, including--

-- Ideas for motivating people to say yes to trees.

-- New research on specific barriers to trees based on geography and tree lifecycle.

-- Impacts of neighborhood greening initiatives on mental health and gun violence.

-- How to engage with community leaders to explore equitable approaches to tree planning.

-- How to communicate the benefits of trees with i-Tree.

-- How to attract and retain diverse talent to care for community trees.

-- How to select trees for a changing climate.

-- An update on the changing landscape of insects and diseases.

-- How to appreciate the natural resources of Philadelphia.

This workshop is designed for Tree Tenders, tree commission volunteers, environmental advisory committee members, urban planners, arborists, park and recreation managers, landscape architects, nonprofit directors, environmental consultants, community organizers and anyone interested in trees.

Continuing education units will be available for ISA Certified Arborists attending the conference. Pesticide applicator credits also will be available, pending approval.

TreeVitalize is a public-private partnership launched in 2004 by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with the goal of planting more than one million new trees and restoring tree cover in Pennsylvania communities.

Partners work together to support the program, planting trees, training citizens and municipal officials, and providing educational trainings such as this conference.

More information and online registration will be available on the Penn State Extension website soon. Questions about this program can be directed to Julianne Schieffer, Extension Urban Forester at jxs51@psu.edu or 610-489-4315.

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension Community Trees newsletter. Click Here to sign up for your own copy and more from Extension.)

Additional Newsletter Articles:

-- Urban And Community Forestry Funding Is Growing

-- Dealing With Tree Risk: Tips For Municipal Shade Tree Commissions

-- Why Schools Should Plant Trees

-- What To Do About Leaning Trees

Related Articles:

-- Allegheny County Conifer Symposium June 14 To Explore Future Of Conifers In A Changing Climate In Western PA  [PaEN]

-- Apply Now For A Scholarship To Attend The Watershed Forestry Summit In Altoona June 14-15  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 18, 2023]

4/24/2023