Latest TUFC News

Message from the President

Neil Letson

I’ve always agreed with Ben Franklin that honesty is the best policy. Being truthful is important, especially when you’re in a leadership position with an organization like the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC).  As everyone knows, the past two years have been challenging. So much so that corrective actions had to be taken to stabilize the organization and rebuild its programs and effectiveness. I’m glad to say that the Council is now in the rebuilding process. First and foremost, we now have our financial house in order.  Our budget is balanced and we have a reserve fund to keep our administrative tasks going. We’ve also rebooted our Certified Arboreta Program. Organizations can now submit online applications to add their arboretum to our state’s growing list. Signage has been redesigned. Site inspectors are being recruited. Efforts continue to streamline the process.  I want to personally thank Sharon Jean-Philippe for taking the bull by the horns to get this program back online. That being said, we will announce very soon the reopening of our Tree Sanctuary Program. This program has the potential to reach individual homeowners in ways no other program can. Ashley Kite-Rowland deserves all the credit for bringing this program back to life. So, get ready to submit your applications when details are announced. And lastly, the TUFC Board adopted a strategic plan to guide its efforts over the next three years. It’s an ambitious plan, but one that can make the TUFC an organization that inspires and empowers people to develop, grow, and sustain vibrant, healthy, and productive urban and community forests in Tennessee. Click this link to see a copy. Here’s my final message. Everything the TUFC does and will do is based on being relevant to you and your community.  Your voice is important.  We want to hear from you.  Let’s us know what the TUFC can do to help you make a difference where you live through urban and community trees.

Nominations for Awards of Excellence

The Awards of Excellence program recognizes those people and groups that exhibit outstanding leadership, education efforts or activities that have made a significant contribution to establishing and maintaining viable community forests in Tennessee. If you know of a deserving person or group, visit our website for more information on how to make a nomination. Deadline to submit nominations is July 31.

Nominations for Legacy, Historic, and Heritage Trees

A Landmark Tree is recognized as an established and familiar feature of the community, confirmed as a significant part of the community’s heritage, or planted to commemorate special events or community leaders more than fifty years ago.
A Historic Tree has been a direct witness to a historic event or cultural movement significant nationally, regionally, or within the state and confirmed to date to that time.
A Heritage Tree is a fallen member of the registry whose contribution to the history and heritage of Tennessee deserves preserving. Visit our website for more information on how to make a nomination. Deadline to submit nominations is July 31.

Program Spotlight:

Workshop

Introduction to Citizen Urban Forestry Workshop

September 13th from 1:00-5:00 the workshop was offered in Nashville at our Middle Tennessee Center of Excellence, Cheekwood Estate & Gardens.  The class covered the importance of trees, tree identification, tree installation, EAB and tree pruning.

In 2019 we will be offering an advanced course for those that would like to learn key tree features to help them identify trees in the winter.  If you would be interested in this class, please fill out the survey to help us determine a day and time that would work for you.

Winter Tree Identification Survey

We also plan to offer a series of classes (once a week) in the Fall of 2019 that will be similar to the Master Gardner’s certification program but all on trees!  Be on the lookout for more information!

 New Arboreta in East & Middle,

Recertified in Middle & West TN!

This is current board member & past President Katie Killebrew, Clarksville City Forester @ Liberty Park our most recent new level 1 arboretum!

And Dianna Davies w Fort Wood arboretum also one of our newest level one arboretum entries last November.

We’d like to congratulate both arboretum’s for their hard work and attention to detail and superb excellence!

New Level 1 – Jacob’s Nature Park, Johnson City

New Level 1 – Belle Forest Cave Property, Nashville

New Level 1 – Cane Creek Park, Cookeville

New Level 1 – City Lake Natural Area,  Cookeville

Recertified Level 4 – Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis

Recertified Level 1 – Ridgetop Station Park, Ridgetop

Recertified Level 1 – The Arboretum at Southwind, Memphis

Learn more about these arboreta and make plans to visit one soon!  Click Here