JP Trees’ Member Survey Synopsis (the Majority Report)
• Planting, protecting and educating are the major goals
• We should not grow larger than city-wide for now
• 83% agreed that we should join BUFC
• Advocate and support efforts for public and private stewardship
• Monitor tree care in JP, collaborate on education and public policy work
Policy Update
• Make a forest management plan to get conservation on the city’s list of priorities
• Molly will be working with Eric Seaborn (State Urban Forest Rep) on a plan before meeting with Jim Hunt
• Aiming for a meeting with Jim Hunt in September
Setback Trees
• 108 inquiry forms
• 47 sites/planted, including two institutions (the Hennigan School and the Central Congregational Church)
• 103 site evaluations completed
• 8 of the 108 inquiries declined to having a tree
• The tree inquiries stemmed mostly from the following sources:
o Flyering*—28
o JP Gazette—18
o Wake Up the Earth festival—17
o Canvassing—13
o Word of mouth—13
o Neighborhood meetings--6
*It was mentioned that we should inquire as to whether folks responded to a flyer at home or at a business.
A new central spot needs to be chosen to leave the stack of flyers for canvassers. Some possibilities that Gretchen will be investigating are:
• Spontaneous Celebrations
• Curtis Hall
• Fiore's Bakery
• Sweet Finish Bakery
• Hyde Square Task Force (Lauren will ask them)
About 250 postcards have been sent to the Mayor’s office in support of a tree protection policy.
Melissa and Monica will be tabling for JP Trees at the next First Thursday on August 2. Lauren may arrange to have more postcards filled out at that time as well.
Lauren has also been working with the Hyde Square Task Force's youth program to maintain the street trees on
Gretchen Folk's position at Earthworks as outreach coordinator for the Setback Trees project has been extended for another year, through next August, and will include Roxbury next year. Perhaps part of the Home Depot money applied towards Grow Boston Greener could be used in part to continue the Earthworks' grant.
We need to focus on outreach now and jump back on planting in September and October.
Stina redrafted the Setback Trees flyer and will be emailing it around to the group for opinions and suggestions.
There was no increase for the Parks department at the City Budget Hearing in June.
A woman who's letter (about poor street tree care in
Melissa is will eventually be adding a list of current and potential JP Trees projects to the website.
JP Trees' meetings are the second Monday of every month; although there will be no meeting in August.
September 10 is our next meeting and Melissa will facilitate.
