This video was initially shown at the 2020 mid-year Council Membership meeting. It looks at how the Council and larger NYS urban forestry community is adapting to the time of coronavirus, and video clips showcase two young professionals navigating these waters: Amanda Cruty and Nafisa Tabassum. Please enjoy and share!
The New York State Urban Forestry Council (NYSUFC) is a volunteer group, organized formally in 1999, to advise and assist the NYS Department of Conservation (DEC) in executing its Urban and Community Forestry policies. The Council’s major funding, supplied through the USDA Forest Service,is supplemented by membership dues and independent contributions.
Mission
New York State’s Urban Forestry program is a partnership of public, private and volunteer organizations and individuals that fosters comprehensive planning, management and education throughout New York to create a healthy urban and community forest and enhance quality of life.
Vision
The New York State Urban Forestry Council envisions that every community in New York State will recognize the value of trees and maximize the use of trees to help improve the community’s quality of life.
Goals
- Strengthen Board Structure and Membership
Attract public, private and volunteer organizations, and individuals to help promote the mission and vision of the Urban Forestry Council.
- Identify and Promote the Benefits of Trees
Promote the appreciation and understanding of the environmental, economic and social benefits of trees in the urban and community environment.
- Provide Educational Tools
Advance Urban and Community Forestry outreach, training and education.
- Provide Planning and Management Tools
Promote and support comprehensive Urban and Community Forestry planning and the application of industry Best Management Practices and current research.
Links
- Bylaws
- Strategic Plan
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2018 Annual Report
- Conference Archives
- Regions
- Anti-discrimination Policy
Officers of the Board
Executive Committee
| First | Last | Affiliation | Region | Board Term Exp | EC Term Exp | Title |
| Karen | Emmerich | Freshwater Environmental Consultants/ R3 ReLeaf Chair | 3 | 2023 | 2021 | President |
| Steve | Harris | Syracuse Dept of Parks, Recreation & Youth Programs | 7 | 2022 | 2021 | Vice Pres |
| Art | Traver | Wendel | 9 | 2023 | 2022 | Treasurer |
| Brian | Liberti | City of Rochester | 8 | 2021 | 2022 | Secretary |
| Vincent | Drzewucki | Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County | 1 | 2023 | 2021 | At-Large |
| L.D. Terry | Hawkridge | Rustic Pines | 6 | 2021 | 2021 | At-Large |
| Phil | Healey | Inc. Village of Lynbrook | 1 | 2023 | 2021 | At-Large |
| James | Kaechele | NYC Tree Trust/NYC Parks | 2 | 2023 | 2021 | At-Large |
Board of Directors
| First | Last | Affiliation | Region | Board Term Exp | ||
| Christopher | Anderson | NYS Association of Towns | 4 | 2021 | ||
| Dr. Nina | Bassuk | Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute | 7 | 2021 | ||
| Mark | Beamish | Orange & Rockland | 3 | 2022 | ||
| Mary | Beck | Urban Forest Advocate | 4 | 2023 | ||
| Vincent | Biondo | Town of Babylon | 1 | 2021 | ||
| Lori | Brockelbank | Davey Resource Group | 9 | 2022 | ||
| Brenda | Cagle | Town of Red Hook | 3 | 2021 | ||
| Joe | Charap | The Green-Wood Cemetery | 2 | 2022 | ||
| Mike | DeMarco | City of Watertown | 6 | 2022 | ||
| Larry | Ferrandiz | PSE&G | 1 | 2022 | ||
| Glenn | Gentzke | Tree Services of Western NY | 9 | 2023 | ||
| Danielle | Gift | Davey Resource Group | 2 | 2023 | ||
| Jeanne | Grace | City of Ithaca | 7 | 2021 | ||
| Ross | Hassinger | City of Buffalo | 9 | 2021 | ||
| Andrew | Hillman | Davey Resource Group | 7 | 2020 | ||
| Greg | Michel | Onondaga Youth Corps | 7 | 2022 | ||
| Andrew | Newman | NYC Parks | 2 | 2022 | ||
| Judy | Pangman | City of Oneonta | 4 | 2021 | ||
| Paul | Paradine | NYSEG | 7 | 2023 | ||
| Alicia | Ragusa | Holistic Law Practice | 1 | 2023 | ||
| Glen | Roberts | NYS DEC | 6 | 2021 | ||
| Sophia | Rodbell | Davey Resource Group | 2 | 2022 | ||
| Jamie | Rogers | North Elba Tree Board | 5 | 2022 | ||
| Michael | Sawyer | Buffalo Olmstead Park Conservancy | 9 | 2023 | ||
| Michael | Treglia | The Nature Conservancy | 4 | 2023 | ||
| Jean | Zimmerman | Saveatree | 3 | 2023 |
Ex-Officio
| First | Last | Affiliation | ||||
| Eric | Greenfield | USDA Forest Service FIA | ||||
| Christina | McLaughlin | NYS DEC Volunteer Coordinator | ||||
| Rob | Messenger | NYS DEC Bureau Chief, Bureau of Forest Resource Mgt. | ||||
| Martin | Mullarkey | |||||
| John | Parry | USDA Forest Service | ||||
| Gloria | VanDuyne | NYS DEC Urban Forestry Program Manager |
Staff
| First | Last | Title |
| Liana | Gooding | Executive Secretary for NYSUFC |
| Michelle | Sutton | Editor, Taking Root |
| Sarah | Gugercin | Website Manager |
In accordance with Federal law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director , Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Bldg, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.