The 22ND Annual NYS ReLeaf Conference
July 17-19 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY
Please see the full program here. HIGHLIGHTS:
Plenary Session: Trees for the Urban Landscape This presentation will showcase Nina’s knowledge and recommendations for the best trees to use in urban settings. Municipalities will learn the best management practices to improve the best uses of plants within the urban ecosystem. The broader audience made up of volunteers and professionals will hear of the latest resources available to integrate technology and science into local landscapes. Demonstration sites using soil technology will show past and present success stories. —Dr. Nina Bassuk, Executive Director, Urban Horticulture Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Walking Tour – Hofstra University Campus Visit the nationally recognized arboretum at Hofstra University with Executive Director Fred Soviero. Trees, shrubs, and flowers will be in full bloom! Tour will take place rain or shine. Space for this tour is limited to 30 people. —Fred Soviero, Arboretum Director, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
Workshop: NYS Invasive Plant List/Alternatives to Invasives The New York Invasive Species Council has completed a final report in which it recommends a regulatory system preventing the importation and/or release of non-native invasive species. The recommended system would create the first-ever official lists of invasive species for New York State. —Leslie Surprenant, Leader, Invasive Species Coordination Unit, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and Jonathan Lehrer, Assistant Professor, Urban Horticulture & Design, SUNY Farmingdale
Workshop: Irene and Sandy Community Information: Working Together in Response to Sandy The Town of Babylon responded after Super Storm Sandy in coordination with DOT and NYS Parks. Rehabilitation and renovations for recreation and housing will be the focus of this talk. —Brian Zitani, Waterways Management Supervisor, Town of Babylon
ALB Presentation ALB has been on Long Island since 1997. The most recent find has expanded the new quarantine. Come learn the new guidelines and how to protect the urban forest. —Marlene Bombara, Outreach Coordinator, USDA Asian Longhorned Beetle Program, Amityville, New York
Workshop: Landscaping With Native Species —Dave McMaster, Bartlett Tree Experts
Workshop: Breaking the Fear of Trees and Technology: A Little Knowledge Can Be a Dangerous Thing Storms may lead to tree failure causing the loss of benefits that tree canopy in your town provides. Learn how to advocate for trees and do your part through the use of i-Tree. Learn the tools available for public and private use. —Vincent Drzewucki, Horticulture Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County and Sally Kellogg, Urban Forestry Program Assistant, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Tour: Tanner’s Pond Environmental Center—Garden City Bird Sanctuary/Hempstead Plains Preserve A 9-acre preserve, partially enhanced by a DEC grant, provides a natural setting for wildlife and humans alike. This natural sanctuary provides a dual purpose of storm water control and a critically needed open space. An open expanse to native grasslands, Hempstead Plains is cited as one of the few natural prairies east of the Alleghany mountains. Learn how this prairie is preserving the natural heritage of the landscape. —Rob Alvey, Geologist, Tanner’s Pond Environmental Center and Betsy Gulotta, Conservation Project Manager, Nassau Community College
Workshop: Decline of the Urban Forest and Pesticide Resistance How to make your urban forest more resilient: learn how two New York professionals are blending improved technologies and hands-on experiences into successful urban arboriculture programs. —Bill Snyder, Greenleaf Supplies and Jim Kisker, Schichtel’s Nursery
Lightning Round: NYS Urban Forestry Council, Tree City USA, Urban & Community Forestry Grants, Importance of Inventory, Region-1 ReLeaf In the Lightning Round, each presenter only has 7 minutes to speak on their specific topic. Questions must be saved for the end of all rounds. Council Advocacy: David Moore, NYS UFC, Executive Committee; Tree Campus: Andrea Petterson, Landscape Manager, Stony Brook University; Grants: Sally Kellogg and Mary Kramarchyk, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation; Pruning: Andy Pleninger, Urban Forestry, LLC
Workshop: Roots on Steroids The Missouri Gravel Bed (MGB) is a method of handling bare root nursery stock that can extend the planting season and greatly simplify and lower the cost of handling of bare root tree stock for arborists, municipalities, urban and community foresters, growers, retailers and landscapers. —Dave Ryan, Rare Earth Nursery
Workshop: Protecting Wildlife in the Urban Forest: Effects of Pruning on Habitat Viability Professionals are taking another look at pruning and tree maintenance schedules to prevent actions leading to the vulnerability of specific wildlife species such as the long-eared bat. —Carl Herzog, Biologist, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation