The Regional Tree & Shade Summit 2.0 was a huge success, thanks to our partners, sponsors, and volunteers. We had over 200 attendees from across Arizona that came to learn more about improving urban forestry in the desert with water and planning constraints in mind. Missed the event? Check out the PowerPoints from the Summit!
Morning Session
- A Modern Reality: Urban Forests in the Desert by Richard Adkins, City of Phoenix
- Climate-Proofing Arizona’s Urban Forests, One Community at a Time by Dr. Greg McPherson, USDA Forest Service
- Growing Potential, Stewards, and Policy for a Thriving Urban Forest by Brad Lancaster, Desert Harvesters
- Green Infrastructure and Urban Forestry by Kieran Sikdar, Watershed Management Group
- Building Capacity for Our Local Canopy
- Presentation by:
- Einav Henenson and Ruth Greenhouse, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- Phillip McNeely, Maricopa County Air Quality Department
- Harry Cooper, Flood Control District of Maricopa County
- Cheryl Goar, Arizona Nursery Association
- Beverly Babb, Arizona Community Tree Council
- Judy Gausman, Arizona Landscape Contractors’ Association
- John Gaunthler, Arizona Public Service
- Lori Rogers, Salt River Project
- Aimee Williamson, Valley Permaculture Alliance
- Ray Cabrera, Downtown Phoenix Inc.
Track 1: Roots
Policy & Planning
Session 1 – Urban Trees in a Desert City: Seeing the Forest Through the Trees
Session 2 – Beyond Planning: Implementing Green Infrastructure for Sustainable Cities
- The Importance and Roles of Trees to Green Infrastructure by Irene Ogata, City of Tucson
- Green Infrastructure and Urban Forestry by Kieran Sikdar, Watershed Management Group
Session 3 – Constructing the Urban Forest: Creating Standards & Policies That Grow Healthy Trees
Track 2: Trunk
Engagement & Advocacy
Session 1 – Green Infrastructure Projects and the Public Strategies Towards Success
- Presentation by Denise Dunlop and Jeff Velasquez, J2 Engineering and Teresa Makinen, MakPro Services
Session 2 – Living Community Engagement and Urban Forestry
Session 3 – A Tale of Three Cities: Different Paths to Tree and Shade Planning
- Avondale Street Tree Master Plan by Drew Bryck, City of Avondale
- Phoenix Tree and Shade Master Plan by Richard Adkins, City of Phoenix
- Tempe Urban Forestry Masterplan & Action Plan by Bonnie Richardson, City of Tempe
Track 3: Branches
Management & Environment
Session 1 – Species Diversity: Ideas and Lessons in Tree Selection for Urban Forests
- Biodiversity And Urban Trees by Tanya Quist, University of Arizona
- Edible Tree Selection for Arizona’s Urban Forests by Ann Audrey, LEAF Network
- ANA Container Grown Tree Guide & Market Update by Cheryl Goar, Arizona Nursery Association and Bart Worthington, Mountain States Wholesales Nursery
Session 2 – Urban Forestry Management, Contracts and Maintenance
- Trees in Arizona’s Communities: Planting the Urban Forest by Alix Rogstad, Arizona State Forestry
- AZ Landscape Contractors’ Association: Training, Resources, and Representation for Landscape Professionals by Kasey Billingsley, AZ Landscape Contractors’ Association