NYSUFC 2021 Annual Report

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.

Subscribe to TAKING ROOT, the monthly e-news of the NYSUFC

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.

Officers of the Board

Executive Committee

First Last Affiliation Region Board Term Exp EC Term Exp Title
Steve Harris Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation, and Youth Programs 7 2025 2023 President
James Kaechele NYC Parks Tree Time 2 2023 2023 Vice Pres
Glenn Gentzke Tree Services of Western NY LLC 9 2023 2023 Treasurer
Mike Treglia The Nature Conservancy 2 2023 2023 Secretary
Terry Hawkridge Rustic Pines Tree Care 6 2024 2023 At-Large
Phil Healey Inc. Village of Lynbrook 1 2023 2023 At-Large
Lori Brockelbank Davey Resource Group 9 2024 2024 At-Large
Glen Roberts Region 6 ReLeaf 6 2023 2024 At-Large

Board of Directors

First Last Affiliation Region Board Term Exp
Christopher Anderson NYS Association of Towns 4 2024
Dr. Nina Bassuk Cornell Urban Horticulture Institute 7 2024
Mark Beamish Orange & Rockland Utilities 3 2025
Brenda Cagle Village of Red Hook 3 2024
Joe Charap Green-Wood Cemetery 2 2025
Mike DeMarco City of Watertown 6 2025
Vincent Drzewucki CCE Nassau County 1 2023
Karen Emmerich Town of Warwick, Tree Commissioner 3 2023
Jeanne Grace City of Ithaca 7 2024
Ross Hassinger City of Buffalo 9 2024
Andrew Hillman Urban Forest Advocate 7 2023
Greg Michel Onondaga Earth Corps 7 2025
Andrew Newman NYC Parks 2 2025
Judy Pangman City of Oneonta 4 2025
Paul Paradine NYSEG 7 2023
Alicia Ragusa Holistic Law Practice 1 2023
Michael Sawyer Buffalo Olmstead Park Conservancy 9 2023
Jean Zimmerman Arborist & Author 3 2023

Ex-Officio

First Last Affiliation
Danielle Gift USDA Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program Coordinator for the NE Region
Eric Greenfield USDA Forest Service FIA
Christina McLaughlin NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Partnership Coordinator
Rob Messenger NYSDEC Bureau Chief, Bureau of Forest Resource Management
Martin Mullarkey Retired Utility Arborist and Educator
Gloria VanDuyne NYSDEC Urban and Community Forestry Program Manager

Staff

Julianne Okun Executive Secretary
Sarah Gugercin Website Designer & Manager
Christina B. Smith Equity, Justice, and Inclusion Consultant
Michelle Sutton Editor and Social Media Coordinator
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (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.

History

NEW YORK RELEAF: HOW IT HAPPENED
A Brief History of Urban Forestry in the United States and the Creation of the New York State Program, in Two Parts

By Nancy A. Wolf

Contact Us

NYS Urban Forestry Council
136 Everett Road, NY 12205

admin@nysufc.org

Our Partners