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.
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 |
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
- Part 1 of 2 (published June 2020)
- Part 2 of 2 (published July 2022)
Contact Us
NYS Urban Forestry Council
136 Everett Road, NY 12205
Our Partners







Get Social