Richmond, Virginia: An Assessment of Municipal
Transcription
Richmond, Virginia: An Assessment of Municipal
Richmond,Virginia: AnAssessmentof MunicipalTree Utilizationandthe UrbanForestry Program Preparedby:Dovetail Partners WithsupportfromtheU.S.ForestService, SouthernRegionandtheVirginia DepartmentofForestry August2015 ScopeofProjectandBackground ThisprojectexaminedbothurbantreeutilizationintheRichmondmetropolitanarea,andtheCityof Richmond’sUrbanForestryprogram.PartsIandIIofthisreportfocusonurbantreeutilization;PartIII dealswithRichmond’surbanforestryprogram.PartIVincludesacasestudy(basedonPartsIandII),an appendix(basedonPartIII),andreferencesforbothurbantreeutilizationandurbanforestry. Theurbantreeutilizationassessmentwasinformedbythefollowingfactsandperspectives.America’s urbanforestsprovidediverseandessentialbenefitsandservicestocommunities.Whentreesare removed,thewoodismostoftenmulched,composted,orsenttoalandfillsite.Buturbanforestsoffer thepotentialforenhancedutilizationwithestimatesofannualavailabilityrangingfromover16to38 milliongreentons. Barrierstourbantreeutilizationincludetechnicalandlogisticalconstraints,availabilityofprocessing facilities,andmarketconsiderations.Perhapsthemostsignificantbarriertourbantreesenteringthe woodprocessingstreammaybetheprevalentideathaturbantreesaresuitableonlyforlow-value products.Manyurbanforestryprograms,aswellasurbanresidents,arenotfullyawareofthe opportunitiesandbenefits. AcrosstheU.S.,urbanforestryprogramsaretypicallylocatedineitheraDepartment/DivisionofPublic WorksoraDepartment/DivisionofParks.InRichmond,thePublicWorksDepartmenthasresponsibility forthemanagementoftheurbanforest.TheassessmentoftheUrbanForestryprogramincludeda reviewofthesustainabilityoftheCity’sprocessesforurbantreeprogramplanningandimplementation. Specifically,theassessmentwasinformedbyareviewofprogrammaterials;asitevisitincludingstaff interviews,Citytour,andobservationofon-the-groundprogramactivitiesandoutcomes;andasurvey ofstakeholdersfortheidentificationofprogramstrengthsandweaknesses. Thetwoassessments,urbantreeutilizationandurbanforestryprogram,providerecommendationsand actionstepsfortheCity.Theseprojectoutcomesprovideapathwaytoenhancetheutilizationofurban treesthroughastrongandrobusturbanforestryprogram. Reportpreparedby: S.Bratkovich,K.Fernholz DovetailPartners,528HennepinAve,Suite703 Minneapolis,MN55403 www.dovetailinc.org ProjectcompletedwithsupportprovidedfromtheU.S.ForestService,SouthernRegionandassistance fromtheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry.SpecialthanksalsototheCityofRichmond. August2015 August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 2 TableofContents ScopeofProjectandBackground...........................................................................................2 ExecutiveSummary................................................................................................................4 PartI....................................................................................................................................11 Introduction...................................................................................................................................11 RichmondBackground...................................................................................................................11 RichmondUrbanTreeUtilizationActivities...........................................................................13 TreeServiceFirms/PrivateArborists..............................................................................................13 WoodResidueRecyclers(Mulch)...................................................................................................16 Wood(Lumber)Reclaimers............................................................................................................16 NicheUrbanTree-BasedBusinesses...............................................................................................18 PowerPlants/PaperMills...............................................................................................................20 CityofRichmond/CommunityProjects.................................................................................20 Non-Profits/VirginiaGovernmentOffices.............................................................................21 RelatedBusinesses.............................................................................................................................22 SummaryofUrbanTreeUtilizationintheRichmondArea....................................................22 PartII...................................................................................................................................24 WhatisanIndustryorBusinessCluster?........................................................................................24 IngredientsforaSuccessfulCluster................................................................................................25 TheClusterModelAppliedtotheRichmondMetropolitanAreaUrbanTreeUtilization........26 FeasibilityAnalysis.........................................................................................................................26 Education,TechnicalandResearchSupport....................................................................................27 SupportiveGovernmentActionsincludingGrants..........................................................................28 SupportingandComplementaryIndustries...................................................................................28 EntrepreneurshipandInnovation...................................................................................................29 AccesstoRawMaterials,MarketsandTransportationNeeds.........................................................29 Leadership,CommitmentandCollaboration..................................................................................30 BusinessClimate............................................................................................................................30 RecommendationsforAdvancingUrbanTreeUtilizationClusteringintheRichmondArea...31 BottomLine..........................................................................................................................34 PartIII..................................................................................................................................34 UrbanForestryProgramAssessment....................................................................................34 DescriptionofAssessmentDesign..................................................................................................34 AssessmentFindings:On-siteVisitandDocumentReview..............................................................37 AssessmentFindings:SurveyResults.............................................................................................38 SummaryandConclusionsfromSurvey..........................................................................................46 ConclusionsandRecommendations...............................................................................................46 PartIV..................................................................................................................................48 CaseStudy.....................................................................................................................................48 Appendix1.ExternalSurvey.............................................................................................................50 References.........................................................................................................................................51 August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 3 ExecutiveSummary Fromanationalperspective,thenumberoftrees,andhencethevolumeofwood,removed annuallyfromurbanandcommunityforestsissignificant(theremovalcanbeduetoland conversion,insectandpestdamage,stormevents,hazardtrees,etc.).Removalestimatesrange from16to38milliongreentonsperyear.Eventhelowervalueoftheseestimatesis comparabletototalannualharvestsfromAmerica’sNational(U.S.ForestService-managed) Forests(Bratkovichetal.2008). Thisprojectincludedanassessmentoftheurbantreeutilizationcapacityandtheurban forestryprogramfortheCityofRichmond,Virginia.Theassessmentsincludedinterviewsand sitevisitsfocusedontheurbantreeutilizationcapacityintheRichmondareaplusareviewof thesustainabilityoftheCity’sprocessesforurbantreeprogramplanningandimplementation. Bothassessmentsproviderecommendationstosupportcontinuedenhancements. ThecityofRichmondislocatedinHenricoCounty,about100milessouthofWashington,DC. RichmondisthecapitaloftheCommonwealthofVirginia,andduringtheCivilWarservedas thecapitoloftheConfederateStatesofAmerica.In2013,Richmondhadapopulationofover 214,000withametro-areapopulationofover1.2million(thisincludestheindependentcities ofColonialHeights,HopewellandPetersburgaswellasthecountiesofCharlesCity, Chesterfield,Dinwiddie,Goochland,Hanover,Henrico,NewKent,Powhatan,andPrince George).1 AnoverviewofRichmondandsamplingofitscurrenttreeutilizationactivitiesprovidesthe followingSummaryofUrbanTreeUtilizationintheRichmondArea: • • • • Innovativeandentrepreneurialtreeservicefirms(privatearborists)existinthe Richmondarea–Logsawing,furniture-making,andcustommillworkareafewofthe products/servicesofferedbysometreeservicefirms. Alargepercentageoftreetake-downs(includinglimbs,brush,etc.)bytreeservicefirms endupasmulchand/oraredivertedfromlandfills–Itappearsthatmulchlocations (drop-offsitesfortreeresidue)serveasdistributionyards(orpotentialdistribution yards)forothermarketssuchaspulpandpaper,boilerfuel,etc. Fuelexpenses(relatedtotransportation),equipmentcosts,laborcosts,anddisposal fees,alongwithstoragespacefortreematerials,hinderenhancedurbantreeutilization –Thisisespeciallytrueamongtreeservicefirms.The“efficiencies”ofenhancedurban andcommunitytreeutilizationarecriticaltosuccess. TreedisposalcostsareNOTnecessarilythelargestcost(financialburden)of organizationsthatremoveurbantrees–Asnotedabove,itemssuchaslabor, equipmentandfuelcanbeverycostly. 1 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 4 • • • • • • • • Themulchindustry(woodresiduerecyclers)islargeintheRichmondarea–Manyofthe largertreeservicefirmssendthemajorityoftheirtreestothemulchindustry.This observationfitswiththepatternofagrowingpopulationbase(morehomes, businesses,etc.)thatneed/wantmulchandrelatedproducts.Understandingthemulch industryappearstobekeyinbetterunderstandingurbantree(wood)flowinthe Richmondarea. BoilerfuelisapotentialmarketfortheRichmondarea–However,thedirectcostsof engaginginsuchamarketareenormous(tubgrinders,18-wheelers,etc.).Partners (collaborators)areneeded(likely)totapintothismarket. TheCityofRichmondisinvolvedininnovativeprogramslikeProjectWARMandthe ConvenienceSite-AnunderstaffedDepartmentofPublicWorks,UrbanForestryDivision (2arborists),however,hindersadditionalcreativeprogramsbeyondday-to-day activities. Historicpreservation,renovationandtheuseofreclaimedlumberissignificantinthe Richmondarea–Manyfirmsspecializeinthisindustrynicheincludingbuilders,lumber reclaimers,architectsandmore. NichebusinessesrelatedtourbantreeutilizationexistintheRichmondarea–Included inthesenichebusinessesaresawmillersandtreematerialaggregatorsthatdeliver productstovariousend-users. ThereisstrongadvocacyforurbanforestryprogramsamongRichmondareanon-profits andgovernmentalagencies-Thesegroupshavealsobeenintheforefrontofpushing forenhancedurbantreeutilization. Enhancedcoordinationamongkeyplayersisneeded–Thisincludesnotonlyidentifying thekeyplayersbutprovidingaforumforkeyplayerstoexplaintheirpoints-of-view, servicesandproductofferings,identificationofmarkets,etc.Theupshotofthis observationisthata“leader”isneeded,especiallyonethatcanbridgethegapbetween privateandpublicsectors. Additionalaggregatorsareneeded–Mostorganizations(privateorpublic)arenotin thebusinessofaprofit-centeredurbantreeutilizationproject.Consequently,thereisa needforadditionalaggregators(and/orcollectionsites)oftreematerial(logs,limbs, brush,etc.).Theseaggregators,inturn,cansortandmarketthematerial(s). ThefollowingRecommendationsforAdvancingUrbanTreeUtilizationClusteringinthe RichmondAreaareofferedinnoparticularorder.Therecommendationsarebasedon numerouspersonalinterviews,site-visits,observations,pastexperiencesinworkingwithurban treeutilizationclusters,andreviewofpublicdocuments. • Conductafeasibilitystudy-Thisisthestartingpointforadvancingtheideaofbusiness clusteringasitrelatestourbantreeutilization.Afeasibilitystudyshouldincludea comprehensiveinventoryoftreeremovals,includingleaves,limbsandbranches(tree pruningresidue),andacategorizationoftheseremovals(sawlogquality,pulpwood, firewood,etc.).TheprotocolusedinsoutheastMichiganisamodelworthadopting and/oradjustingfortheRichmondarea(MacFarlane2007). August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 5 • Evaluatetheoverallbusinessclimateintermsofeconomicconditions,existing infrastructure,laborresourcesandotherfactors-Thiseffortcanbeincludedinthe feasibilitystudyiftimeandresourcespermit;ifnot,aseparateanalysisshouldbe conducted.Strategiesthat“makeitpay”tobetterutilizeurbantreesshouldbecarefully examined.Sometimesa“makeitpay”or“makeabuck”messageisquicklydismissed whenaproducercontemplatestheadditionalexpensesthathis/herfirmmightincurto betterutilizetrees.Anothermethodofdescribingthisissueistotalkintermsof“costavoidance.”Allfirms,bigorsmall,urbantreeutilizersornon-utilizers,canrelatetothe messageofcost-avoidance. Apubliceducationcampaign(tiedintorecyclingawarenessandthegreenmovement) andcoupledwithbettermarketsforurbantreeproductsisneededintheRichmond area.Forexample,recyclingmessagesshouldincludeurbantreesinalistofrecyclable itemssuchasaluminumcans,mixedpaper,andnewspapers.Thesameistrueforthe “buylocal”movement–lumberandlumberproductsinadditiontomulch,compost, andfirewood–shouldbetoutedasaproductthatcanbeproducedintheRichmond area.Tyingurbantreeutilizationintotheexistingreclaimedlumbermovementisa strategythatshouldbeinvestigated. Since“lackofspace”and“transportationcosts”werecommonthemesunder-mining innovativeurbantreeutilization,anideaistolocatetreedrop-offpoints(yardswith freeorreducedtippingfees)aroundtheRichmondarea.Thesepublic/privateyards couldbecomeutilizationcenters(hubs)forlogsortingandsales,logsawing,etc.(a personwithexperienceinoperatingalogyardshouldoverseethiseffort).Existing disposallocations,suchasmulchsites,shouldbecontactedfirsttodiscusstheprosand consofsuchastrategy. • Collaboratewithstakeholdersfromindustry,governmentandsupportingindividualsand organizations-Thekeyistogetbuy-infromvariousstakeholdersanddevelopavision forutilizationofurbantreesincludingnext-stepsandactionitems.Itisimportantthat stakeholderssharekeyinformationwithoneanother(withoutdivulgingcompanyor organizationalsecrets).Storagespaceandtransportationcosts(asnotedabove), equipment,tippingfees,etc.aresomeoftheissuesthatneedtobe“onthetable”for meaningfulcollaborationtotakeplace.Differentstakeholdersoftenhavedifferent “issues”sobettercommunicationisneededbetweenthegroups(forthebettermentof everyone). • Selectaleadertocoordinateactivities,facilitatedevelopmentandgainpolicysupport- Theleaderorchampiondoesnotnecessarilyhavetopossessautilizationbackground butshouldstronglysupporttheutilizationeffortandshouldhavetheability(andtime!) tousehisorherpositionto“rallythetroops.”Alocalandrespectedurbanforestry leadercouldfillthisrole. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 6 • Securefunding-Financialresources,bothprivateandpublic,areimportanttosupport feasibilitystudies,technologydevelopment,workforcetraining,capitalinvestment, appliedresearchandotherprojectcomponents.Fundingsourcescanincludenational, state,orlocal.Programsdirectedatwoodutilizationandurbanforestryeffortsare obviousavenuesforobtainingfundingbutbroad-basedrecyclinggrants,smallbusiness loans,andbio-basedenergyprograms(asexamples)canalsoprovidedirectfinancial supportforurbantreeutilization. • Focusoneducationandengagementofentrepreneurialthinkingandinnovation- Supportthecreationofapositionwiththeassigneddutiesof‘urbanwoodutilization’ eitherforRichmondorinastatewidecapacity(perhapsbasedinCharlottesville).A personinthiscapacitycanefficientlyfocusoneducationandtrainingopportunitiesfor arborists,assistandencouragestart-upurbanwoodbusinesses,conductutilizationbasedfeasibilitystudies,andbecomeafocalpointfortechnical/hands-onutilization activities. • Nurturesupportingandcomplementaryindustries-Animportanttaskofeitherthe leader/champion,urbanwoodspecialist,orkeystakeholder(s)istofacilitate partnershipsandrelationships(formalorinformal)betweenthenumerousindustries (andorganizations)thatareinthecluster(orbeginningstagesofacluster).Thiseffort shouldshowclustermembershowtheirbusinessesareinter-connectedanddependent ononeanotherfromprocurementofrawmaterialstoproduction,marketingand distributionofend-products. • Recognizethedifferencesintypesofclustersandactaccordingly-Onestrategyfor clusterdevelopmentistoselectornurtureoneoffourmodelsasastartingpoint,or builduponwhatalreadyexists.Thiscanhelpfocuseffortsandprovideaframeworkfor collaborativework.Richmond(especiallytheprivatesector)appearstobeintheearly stagesofaMarshalliancluster–onethatistypicallycomprisedofsmallandmediumsizedcompaniesthattradetheirproductsandserviceswithotherclustermembers. • DevelopaRichmondregionallistofsmallsawmills,loggers,timberbuyers,andforest productmanufacturers-Adirectoryisneededfor“small”timberusersinthearea.The mills,loggers,andothersonapotential“smallproducer”listareoftennotincludedina statewidedirectoryofprimaryandsecondaryproducers.Thelistshouldbespecificto theRichmondarea. • Workcloselywiththeexistingmulchindustry–Sincemulchisalargeandseemingly growingmarketintheRichmondarea,innovatorsandentrepreneursshouldexplore ‘other’productsthatcouldbemanufacturedfromurbantreesthatfitwiththemulch industry. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 7 Includedwithinthescopeoftheprojectwasanassessmentoftheoverallurbanforestry programcapacityandoperationstoidentifyandevaluatecorestrengthsandopportunities. Thisassessmentprocesswasinformedbyseveralexistingapproachestosystemevaluations andforestryassessments.Theassessmentprocessincludedtheuseofasurveytooltogather asmuchinputaspossiblefromexternalstakeholdersandinterestgroups. Basedupontheinputfromtheexternalsurvey,thereareseveralcommonthemes.Thereis clearrespectandappreciationforthequalityandeffortsofcurrentstaff.Thereisconcern aboutlong-termcapacity(staffingandfundinglevels).Thereisalsoconcernaboutsomeofthe policiesthatimpacttheurbanforestsinRichmond(e.g.,ordinances,enforcement,etc.). Overall,thereisahighopinionandlevelofsupportfortheurbanforestryprograms. Respondentsgenerallyagreethatthereisaneedtoincreasethecapacityoftheprogramswith morestaff,volunteers,andresources. Opportunitiesforimprovementidentifiedwithintheresultsinclude: - Fillvacantarboristposition(s) - Increasefundingandfinancialresourcesfortheprogram - Strengthenvolunteerprogramsandcollaborationswithdiversepartners - Identifyanddevelopskillsetswithindepartment - Completeinventoryproject - Developcomprehensivestrategicplan Fromtheentiretyoftheurbanforestrymanagementprogramassessmentprocess–including thereviewofdocuments,on-sitevisitsandinterviews,andcompletesurveyresults–the followingsummaryofprogrammaticstrengthsandopportunitiesisprovided. Strengths: - Well-trained,credentialed,professionalstaffandvolunteerpartners - Detailedinventoryinformationbeingdevelopedtoprovideassessmentofurban forest - Innovationandurbanforestryactivitywithinpartnershipsandprivatesector - Well-structuredcityprogram–reporting,recordkeeping,tracking,andinventory Opportunities: - Completeinventorydevelopmentandleverageresultstoinformresource allocationsandprogramplanning - CompleteMasterPlan/ComprehensiveManagementPlan August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 8 NEXTSTEPS Therearefour“nextsteps”thatRichmondcanundertakeasa“leader”inurbantreeutilization andurbanforestry. 1. Developastrategicplanfortheurbanforestryprogram.Therecommendationsand opportunitiesfromthisreportcanbeusedasabasisfortheplan. 2. Establishastructureformeasuringprogressfortheurbanforestryprogram.This includesclearlydefiningtherolesandresponsibilitiesofstaffmembersaswellasa scheduleofreviewmilestones. 3. Developadirectoryofsmallmills,drykilns,loggers,furnituremakers,etc.,thatoperate intheRichmondmetropolitanarea.Individualsandbusinessesinthisdirectoryshould haveadesiretoworkwithurbantrees.TheCityofRichmondcould“appoint”someone todothistask(orlookforavolunteer).TheCity,however,shouldtaketheleadonthis directory,eveniftheactualworkisaccomplishedbyathird-party(internorwork-study studentfromalocalcollege,tree-relatedvolunteer,governmentalemployeefromthe DOForotherstateagency,etc.).TheimportantstepisfortheCityto“gettheball rolling.” 4. Holdregularmeetingsofstakeholdersinvolvedwithurbantreeutilization(orassign/ask someonetoholdthesemeetingssinceCitystafftimeislimited).Thesemeetingsshould includeareaarborists,urbanforesters,smallsawmillanddryeroperators,loggers, mulchyardowners,stateregulators,municipalmanagers,smallwood-basedbusiness owners,andsoforth.Ideally,themeetingswouldbeheldata“neutral”locationto encouragemaximumparticipation. Conclusions TheCityofRichmondhasastronghistoryandwellestablishedurbanforestryprogram.The privatetreecareindustryinRichmondalsoprovidescapacitytosupportahealthyurbanforest. ThefullpotentialoftheCity’surbanforestryprogramiscurrentlylimitedbycapacityconcerns. Toimprovetheprogram,itislikelynecessarytoincreasethenumberofarboriststoalevelthat issufficienttomaintainandcarefortheextensiveurbanforest,especiallywhereprivatetree careservicesarenotareasonablealternative. TheRichmondmetropolitanareaishometoover1.2millionpeople,andgrowing.Eastcentral Virginia(whichincludesthecapitalcityofRichmond)supportsastrongforestryandforest productsindustry.Historicpreservationandrenovationareimportantbusinessesinthe Richmondarea,dueinparttotheproximityofWilliamsburg. Richmond,andthesurroundingarea,ishometo“undertheradar”firmscurrentlyutilizing urbantreesbeyondthetraditionalproductsofmulchandfirewood.Evidenceofanemerging urbantreebusinessclustercanbefoundintheprivatesector,butaleaderisneededtomove themomentumforward.Anurbantreeutilizationleadercanmobilizebothprivateandpublic sectorstocollaborateonissuesthatimpactbothgroups. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 9 Aleadercouldalsoprovidethesparkforamuch-neededfeasibilityanalysisinRichmondthat estimatestreeremovalsandpotentialproducts. TherearefouractionitemsthatRichmondcantaketomovethemtonextlevelofurban forestryandurbantreeutilization.Actionitemsdirectlyrelatingtotheurbanforestryprogram includeastrategicplanandestablishingastructureformeasuringprogress.Toenhancethe utilizationeffort,aRichmondareadirectoryisneededaswellasregularmeetingsofkey stakeholders. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 10 UtilizingMunicipalTreesinthe Richmond,Virginia,MetropolitanArea PartI. Introduction Thereareanestimated4billionurbantrees2intheU.S.,withanother70billionorsogrowing inmetropolitanareas.3Infact,30percentofallforestlandintheU.S.isinametropolitanarea. Between1997and2002,therewasa5percentincrease(morethan5millionacres)inforestsin ‘major’metropolitanareasasdevelopedlandsintheU.S.expanded.Also,estimatesfromthe U.S.CensusBureaushowa130-percentincreaseincensus-definedurbanareabetween1960 and2000(Aligetal.2010). UrbanlandintheU.S.isprojectedtogrowfromabout3-percentin2000toover8-percentin 2050,anarealargerthanthestateofMontana.Focusingonjustforestland,theamount subsumedbyurbanizationbetween2000and2050isprojectedtobeover29millionacres,an areaapproximatelythesizeofPennsylvania(NowakandWalton2005).Accordingtothe NaturalResourcesConservationService(NRCS),thelargestincreasesinU.S.developedarea between1982and1997wereintheSouth. Fromanationalperspective,thenumberoftrees,andhencethevolumeofwood,removed annuallyfromurbanandcommunityforestsissignificant(theremovalcanbeduetoland conversion,insectandpestdamage,stormevents,hazardtrees,etc.).Removalestimatesrange from16to38milliongreentonsperyear.Eventhelowervalueoftheseestimatesis comparabletototalannualharvestsfromAmerica’sNational(U.S.ForestService-managed) Forests(Bratkovichetal.2008). RichmondBackground ThecityofRichmondislocatedinHenricoCounty,about100milessouthofWashington,DC. RichmondisthecapitaloftheCommonwealthofVirginia,andduringtheCivilWarservedas thecapitoloftheConfederateStatesofAmerica.In2013,Richmondhadapopulationofover 214,000,withametro-areapopulationofover1.2million(thisincludestheindependentcities ofColonialHeights,HopewellandPetersburgaswellasthecountiesofCharlesCity, 2 Urban areas as defined by the Census Bureau include (1) urbanized areas with a population of 50,000 or more and a minimum density of 1,000 people/sq. mi., (2) places that contain some urbanized areas within their boundaries, and (3) places with at least 2,500 people and located outside of urbanized areas. Also, areas totally surrounded by urbanized areas but not within an urbanized area are considered to be an urban area (Nowak et al. 2001). 3 Metropolitan areas as defined by the Office of Management and Budget defines metropolitan areas by county, not places (except in the six New England states). Metropolitan areas have one or more large core populations that are socially and economically linked to adjacent counties. For example, the New York metro area—the largest in the country— covers 36 counties in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania (Sherrill 2003). August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 11 Chesterfield,Dinwiddie,Goochland,Hanover,Henrico,NewKent,Powhatan,andPrince George).4RichmondislocatedattheintersectionsofInterstate95andInterstate64.Interstate 295formsanouterringaroundthecity. AsStateCapitol,RichmondishometodozensofStateOfficesincludingtheScienceMuseum, SupremeCourt,andDepartmentsofEducation,EnvironmentalQuality,andGameandInland Fisheries.RichmondisalsohometotheSecretaryofNaturalResources,theSecretaryof AgricultureandForestry,andTheLibraryofVirginia.5 RichmondisheadquarterstotwoFortune500companies–DominionResourcesand MeadWestvaco–withother‘500’companiesinthemetropolitanarea.Thecityishometo boththeU.S.CourtofAppealsfortheFourthCircuitandtheFederalReserveBankof Richmond.6 RichmondishometotheUniversityofRichmondandVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity(VCU), withVCUincludingamedicalcenter.TheRichmondregionoffersundergraduate,graduateand professionaldegreeprogramsatmorethan10collegesanduniversities.7 Figure1.MapofVirginia Figure2.Richmond,VAAreaMap Sources:http://www.goplayoutdoors.com/Member/RichmondVA/index.htm; http://www.homefinders.com/map_facts.php IntheU.S.Southeast,theareafromRichmondtoAtlanta(sometimescalledtheurban PiedmontCrescent),haswitnessedaconcentrationofdevelopment.Theurbanareasofthe Piedmontareexpectedtowitnessthefastestgrowth(Aligetal.2010).Accordingtoa UniversityofUtahstudy(EwingandHamidi2014),Richmondisamongagroupoflargemetro areasthatranksnearthebottomofthe“sprawlspectrum”(themostsprawlinglargeregionis Atlanta).8 4 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia. http://www.agencydirectory.virginia.gov/. 6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond,_Virginia. 7 http://www.visitrichmondva.com/about-richmond-region/universities-colleges/. 8 http://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewbender/2014/04/14/study-reveals-americas-most-sprawling-cities-and-l-aisnt-one-of-them/. 5 August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 12 RichmondUrbanTreeUtilizationActivities Thereareanumberofurban/municipaltreeutilizationactivitiesoccurringintheRichmond metropolitanarea.Thefollowingsectionsummarizessomeoftheseactivities. TreeServiceFirms/PrivateArborists TrueTimberTreeService(http://www.truetimber.net/)isafullservicetreecareproviderbased inRichmond.Treeremoval,stumpremoval,treepruning,andcablingandbracingareservices providedbyTrueTimber.Thefirmemploys20+individuals(fourcrews)andincludesaplant healthdivision. PeterGiradi,arboristandvice-presidentofTrueTimber,said,“Ourchipsgototwomain sources,YardworksandMulchUnlimited.Weproducefirewood,donateourbetterlogstoan independenthaulersoastosaveclientsmoneybyreducinglabortohaullogsoutoftheiryard, andprovideuniquepiecestolocalwoodworkers.”PeternotedthatTrueTimber’sdisposalfee foroneyear(approximately$26,000annually)ismuchlessthanfuelandequipmentfeesfor theyear(approximately$10,000permonth).Peteralsostated,“Thereisnotagoodnearbyfuel market.” TrueTimber’screws(inthefield)typicallymakethefinaldecisiononwhethertomake“logs” (frombettertrees)fortheindependenthauler.(TheindependenthaulerchargesTrueTimbera feepersite;thehaulerpicksuplogsfromothertreeservicefirms,andthensellssawlogsand pulpwoodtoanindependentmill).TrueTimberoccasionallyusesahorselogger. JamieSwensonTreeService(http://www.jamieswensontreeservice.com/)offersthetypical servicesonemightexpectforatreeservicefirm:treeremovalandtake-downs,pruning,stump grinding,cabling,etc.Whatsetsthistreeserviceapartfromsomanyotherservicesisthat custommillwork,milledlumber,customfurniture,andcustombuiltlogcabinsarealsooffered. Swensonestimatesthat60%ofthehardwoodtreesremovedbyhis4-personfirmcanbe convertedtoavalue-addedproduct.Swensonhasfamilymembersandfriendswithsawmills anddrykilnswhicheasestheinvestmentburdenonhisfirm.SwensonalsoownsanAlaska chainsawwithasixfootbarforsawingslabssuchasfortabletops. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 13 Figure3.JamieSwensonTreeService(PhotocourtesyofJamieSwensonTreeService) Swensonsaidthattree/logsawingisaserviceheofferstocustomers.Hisfirmcanoftenturn downedtreesintoproductsliketablesandothervalue-addeditems.Oneofhisfavoritestories isaboutahomeownerthatboughtahouselargelybecauseoftheredoakinthefrontyard. Unfortunately,astormbroughtthetreedownbutthankstoSwensonthetreeliveson. Swensonsaid,“Wemadeaswingsetfromthetree.” Humanitree(http://humanitreeservice.com)alsooffersthecustomarytreeservicesbut includeslinksontheirwebsitetourbanharvesting,andthesawmillproject.Thewebsitenotes, “Theideabehindoursawmillprojectisthatweneededamoreefficientwaytoturnremoved treesintoaunique,localRichmondbuildingmaterial.Thewoodthatweharvestcanbemade intopartofsomeone’shome,agardenshed,oraprizedfamilyheirloom.Italsomaybe donatedtohighschoolwoodshopclasses,habitatforhumanity,oranyothernon-profit.” ArborCareProfessionalTreeServiceinHanoverCountyemploysJoelKociasanarborist.Joel currentlyworkspart-timewithVirginiaStateUniversityExtension(urbanforestry)in Petersburg.Joelnotedthatmosthomeownersarefixedonpricesoutilizationisnotabigdeal tothem.Hesaid,“Mostfolksgowiththelowbidder.” Joelsaidthatthereareanabundanceofportablemillsinhisgeographicareabutnotmany traditionalsawmills.Therearetwoportablemills(bothWood-Mizers)thattakelogsfromJoel’s jobs;onemillownermakesfurniture.Henotedthatmostmillshave“passedthestage”of concernoverhardwareinthelogs. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 14 Joelmaintainsalistoffolkswhowantchipsfortheirgardenorotheruses.Heneverdumps woodatalandfill,includingtheRichmond“conveniencecenter”(seebelow).Joelalsokeepsa listofpeoplewhotakefirewood.Henoted,“Alotofwoodfrom‘take-downs’goesinto firewood.” Inmanycases,Joelgivesawaythewoodfromtreeremovals.Thisresultsinabetterpricefor homeownersandagooddealforportablemillowners.Joelsaid,“Thissavestimeforme, createslessmess,andmakesclean-upeasierontheproperty.”Healsonotedthatcuttingtrees intolonglengthswaspreferabletobuckingintosmallerpieces. BartlettTreeExpertswasfoundedin1907andhasnearly100officesworldwide.TheRichmond officeismanagedbyEthanCrockett(http://www.bartlett.com/locations/Richmond-VA.cfm). Ethansaid,“Probably75to80percentofourmaterialgoestolocalmulchcompaniesthat operateatubgrinder.Theother20percentorsoisleftonsiteforhomeownerstouseinfire pitsforexampleorjustleftinthewoodssincemanyofourjobstakeplaceonapropertythatis connectedtoaforest.”Ethannotedthatallsolidwood(logs)incuratippingfee(atthemulch site)butchips(andothernon-solidwood)incuratippingfee“sometimes”dependingonquality ofmaterial,mulchsupplies,etc. Ethanstressedthat“efficiencies”needtobebuiltintoutilizationefforts(forsawlogs,forex.). HesaidthatlaborisBartlett’sbiggestcostintheRichmondofficesodrivingaroundwithalog ortwoneedstobeeconomicallyeffective.Ethannotedthatiftransportation(Bartlettprovided)wereinvolved,hewouldlikelyneedtobepaidforlogs;ifsomeonecameon-siteto pickuplogs,thenthematerialcouldpossiblybedonated. TheDaveyTreeExpertCompanyismanagedbyMarkBennettinRichmond(Virginiabranch) (http://www.davey.com/local-offices/richmond-tree-service/).Marksaidthatapproximately 95%ofDavey’swoodgoestoamulchsitewhereanyone,largeorsmalloperators,candump. HenotedthatnoDaveywoodgoestoalandfill. Markstressedthatwoodisadisposalissueandthatsawinglogsisnotonhis“radar.”Also,he said,“Safetyisabigconcernwhenremovingatreesosawmillspec’ssuchasloglengtharenot aconsiderationforus.” ArborscapesLLC(http://www.arborscapesllc.com/)alsonoted(asabove)that95%oftheir woodgoestoamulchsitewhereitissortedandeitherconvertedtomulchorshippedtoa papermilland/orusedforboilerfuel(inotherwords,themulchsitesortsandsendsmaterial toothermarkets).Atippingfeeispaidforlogsatthemulchsitebutnotforchips(Arborscapes chipbrushandlimbswheneverpossible).ThegoalofArborscapesistodisposeofwoodas cheaplyaspossible(thefirmwasmore“into”gradesawlogsandsuchbeforetheeconomy crashed).LogisticsisabigissuewithArborscapesaswellasspace(storageareaformaterial). August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 15 WoodResidueRecyclers(Mulch) GilliesCreekIndustrialRecycling(http://www.gilliescreek.com)inRichmond(Eastside)labels itselfasadiversifiedcompanywithproductsandservicestomeettheneedsoftheconstruction industry.Atthefirm’sheadquartersjustoffI-64,itacceptsstumps/brush,concrete/asphalt, crates/palletsandwastedirt/topsoil.MudandC&D(constructionanddemolition)debrisare acceptedatothersites.GilliesCreekhastwoprimaryproductionfacilities–awoodgrinding plant(mulch)andaconcretecrushingplant. Majorproductsincludelandscapeproducts(topsoil,shreddedmulch,organicfines),crushed aggregates,andfillmaterials.Themulchiseitherdoubleortripleshredded;Gilliesalsodoes mulchcoloring. GilliesCreekobtainsalargevolumeoftheirrawmaterial(wood)fromlandclearers,storm debris,etc.Themajorityoftheirsalesareinbulkquantities(wholesale). GilliesCreekisalwayslookingfornewmarketsfortheirproducts.Also,GilliesCreekisa memberoftheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncilandparticipatesinLEED-certifiedprojects. YardWorks(http://yardworksva.com/)wasfoundedin2001whentwomanufacturingand recyclingcompaniesjoinedforces.YardWorkshasacorporateofficeinMoseleyplusfour retail,andthreerecyclinglocations,allwithinthegreaterRichmondarea. YardWorksproductsincludegravelanddecorativestone,mulch(includingbaggedand playgroundmaterial),sand,grassseed,strawbales,firewood,andmore.YardWorkssells manyproductsdirectlytothepublic(retail)aswellasoperatingawholesaledivision. YardWorksalsoofferssiteclearingandlogging.Thisincludestubandhorizontalgrindersthat canbetakentoajobsitesuchasagolfcourse,highway,orsubdivision. Wood(Lumber)Reclaimers Althoughthefollowingfirmsdonotuseurbanormunicipaltrees,theirbusinessisoriented towardsreusing(reclaiming)wood(lumber). E.T.MooreManufacturingInc.ofRichmond,afamily-ownedbusiness,wasestablishedin1969 (http://etmoore.com/).Today,thefirmproudlyproclaimsitselfastheworld’slargestproducer ofvintagepineproducts. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 16 Figure4.E.T.MoorePhotoGallery(PhotoscourtesyofE.T.Moore) E.T.Moore’sspecialtyissalvagingandre-millingheartpine(longleafpine)fromoldmillsand factories.Productsincludeflooring,lumber,mouldingsandcomponents,woodbeamsand mantels,customhomebuilding,andmore.SpeciesofferedbyE.T.Mooreinclude(inadditionto heartpine)redcypress,spruce,hemlock,Douglasfir,andoak. E.T.Moorehaswarehousespaceof250,000squarefeet,andstoresover2.5millionboardfeet oflumberproducts.Thewarehouseandofficessitona30acretractofland. TektonicsDesignGroup(http://www.tektonics.com/)isafull-servicedesignandmanufacturing firmofferingindustrialdesign,productdevelopment,machining,fabrication,andlasermarking. Foundedin2003,Tektonicsiscomprisedofindustrialdesigners,artists,blacksmiths, machinists,sculptors,andtradesmen,dedicatedtocraftinguniquedesignsolutions. OwnerandarchitectChrisHildebrandsaid,“Ourfocusnow[intermsofwood]isonheartpine fromsalvagedbuildings.”Chrisseeshimselfasanurbantreehobbyistwhichhedescribed,“I havetheinterest,butnotthetime.” Chrisnotedthatthereisnotmuchcoordinationbetweenthekeyplayersinurbantree utilizationsuchasthecity,homeowners,privatefirms,hobbyists,etc.Hesaid,“Keyequipment isabigpartofbetterutilization.”Healsoaddedthathewouldsawtreesonsiteifheowneda treeservicefirm. Oneofhisrecommendationsisthatthecity(Richmond)needstomakeboards.Ifboardswere made,Chrissaid,“ThenI’dlookatthem.” Wellborn&Wright(http://www.wellbornwright.com/)specializesinreclaimedwoodsurfaces (antique)includingflooring,beams,paneling,lumber,furniture,andbarnwood.Speciesinclude oak,heartpine,chestnut,hickory,elm,cypress,redwood,Douglasfirandmore.Themajorityof thecompany’swoodcomesfromagriculturalstructures,whiletimbers(beams)aretypically salvagedfromindustrialfactories. HollandRhoads,presidentofWellborn&Wright,notedthaturbantreesalvageisdoneon occasion(walnutforex.)afteralightningstrikeorblow-down.However,hepointedoutliability issueswhenenteringprivateproperty.Healsosaid,“Akilnisneededtodrythewood,orwe needtoselltofolkswhohaveakiln.” August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 17 EcoSupplyCenter(https://www.ecosupplycenter.com/)distributesavarietyofsustainableand highperformancebuildingmaterialsforinteriorandexteriorapplications.Thefirmgrewoutof cabinetryandfinefurnitureshopswhichprioritizedtheuseofsustainablematerialsindesign andfabrication. EcoSupplywasoneofthefirstcabinetshopstobeFSCcertifiedintheU.S.,andEcoSupply’s distributioncompanyisaFSCchainofcustodycertified.ThefirmhasLEEDAP’sandPassive Houseconsultantsonstaff. AnthonyBraza,EcoSupplyownerandfurnituremakersaid,“Wemostlysalvageoldbarnsfor rawmaterial.”Brazaalsonotedthatbecauseofmetalincitytrees,“It’shardtomakemoney salvagingtrees.” SurfaceArchitecturalSupply(http://www.surface-supply.com/)ofRichmondisafamily businessfoundedbyHunterandKirstenWebb.Thefirmspecializesinsourcingreclaimed materials(wood)toproducecustomflooringandotherarchitecturalcomponents.Species includeoak,pine,chestnut,walnut,andcherry.Muchofthereclaimedwoodcomesfrombarns –haystorage,grainstorage,horse,cattle,etc. HunterownsaWood-Mizerportablemill.Hesaid,“Ihavedonesomeworkforclientsontree products,butourfocusnowisonsalvagingoldbuildings.” Hunterstressedtheimportanceofmovingtreepartsfromoneurbanlocationtoanother.He said,“Transportationcanbeabigdeal!Andnailsandotherhardwarecanbeaproblem.”He alsonoted,“Idon’tknowwhotocallifIseeagoodtreemarkedforremovalbythecity.” NicheUrbanTree-BasedBusinesses NewEarth,LLC(http://newearthva.com)ofRichmond,isownedand operatedbyPaulIwashchenko.NewEarthservicesinclude(1)contractor services–specializinginhistoricrenovations–(2)realestate–buyingand sellinghomes,and(3)additionsandremodeling. Manufactured(wood)productsincludecustomwoodworkingand furniture,saltandpeppermills,andbeams/boards.NewEarthworkswitha hostofspeciesincludingash,walnut,redandwhiteoak,poplar,beech, birchandcherry.Landscapingbouldersandrocksarealsosold. NewEarthhasaboutadozenemployeesandhasbeeninvolvedin harvestingtrees,cuttingwood,makingproducts,etc.formorethan8 years.NewEarthhasitsownsawmillandproducesproductstofitthe August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA Figure5.New Earth,LLC. (Photocourtesyof NewEarth,LLC.) 18 needsofthecustomer(beamsforexample).Paulsaid,“I’vegottenlogsfromtheCityandalso fromtreeserviceguys.” CitiwoodisownedandoperatedbyEdBath.Ed’snicheismakingandmarketing“taphandles” forbreweries–RichmondtoTexastoCalifornia.Heusesfallentreesforhisproductswhich includetastingpaddlesandfurniture.Edusesallspeciesofwood(althoughpineandwalnutare NOThighonhislistbecauseofengravingissues).Hesometimesworkswitharboristsin obtaininglogsforhisprojectsbutbecauseofthesmallsizeofhisrawmaterialuse,heisnot dependentonthem.Edsaid,“ThepotentialforusingfallenurbantreesinRichmondis exceptional.” Edhastwodrykilns–asolarandaNyle–twolaserengravers,aLucasportablemill,anda lathe.Healsomakeswoodenplaquesandotherproductsbutfoundthathisnichewastap handles.InRichmond,Ed’sworkcanbeseenattheHardywoodParkCraftBrewery(HPCB).He alsopartnerswithanotherlocalcraftsperson(useroffallentreesalso)whomakesfurniturefor localrestaurantsandwhohastheequipmenttotransportlargelogs. HPCBrecentlypurchasedlandinGoochlandCountyandaskedCitiwoodtouserecycledtreesto helpinconstructionofthebrewery.Inadditiontotaphandles,CitiwoodwillbesupplyingHPCB withbeams,flooring,furniture,signsandmore. RichardO’DellisagraduateofVirginiaTechinBlacksburg,VA.RichardhasaBakerportable dieselmillequippedwithhydraulics.Hedescribeshisoperationasa“hobbybusiness.”Richard hasusedurbanlogsinthepastbutnotesthatheis“picky”whenitcomestosawinglogs. Richardstates,“Ineverpayforurbanlogssincetheyoftenhaveforeignobjectsinthem.Evena hand-heldmetaldetectorisnotgoodenoughformesincesometimesalogwillhaveanail buriedmorethansixinches. Occasionally,atreeservicefirmdropslogsat/nearRichard’smill.Thisisa“noout-of-pocket expense”forbothparties. JamisonHenleyhasasmallbusinessthathasfoundanicheintheRichmondarea.Jamisonhas onelogtruck(approximatecapacityof18,000lbs.)andoneforklift.Hechargestreeservice firms($150/site)toremovesawlogandpulpwood-sizematerialfromtheirworksite.Jamison thentrucksandresellsthematerialtoathirdparty. Jamisonsaid,“Mylogsgotothepaperindustry.WhateverspeciesIdeliver–oak,pine,maple, gumforinstance–thepapermilltakesitall.” August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 19 PowerPlants/PaperMills TheHopewellPowerStationisa51MWbiomass-fueledelectricgenerationfacilitylocated about25milesfromRichmond.Originallydesignedtousecoal,DominionVirginiaPower convertedthestationtobiomassin2013.Thefuelisprimarilywoodwasteleftbehindinthe forestbytheloggingprocess.Someurbanwood(trees)areusedasfuel(obtainedfrom Richmondareaprivatearborists). AccordingtoRandyFieldsattheHopewellStation(https://www.dom.com/corporate/what-wedo/electricity/generation/biomass/hopewell-power-station)thefirstorderofbusiness(asfaras sellingmaterialtotheHopewellplant)istobeset-upasaboilerfuelsupplier.Second,achipper orgrinder(canbeexpensive!)isneededtoconverttreesintoauseableform.Lastly,an18wheelerisneededtotransportanddumpthematerial(theHopewellplantissetuptoaccept tractortrailerloadsonly).Alltreespeciesareacceptedandthewoodmustbefreeofdirt, plasticandothercontaminants.PalletsareNOTaccepted.Currentdeliveredprice,asofApril 2015,isabout$22-$23perton. BearIslandPaperCompanyinAshland,Virginiahasasporadicneedforboilerfuelatdifferent timesoftheyear(contactScottRickettsat804-393-1125).Chipsizeis4-5inchesmaximum(a standardchippershouldprovidepropersizing).AsnotedwiththeHopewellStation(above), truckstransportingchipsare18-wheelers.Trucksdisconnectbeforeunloadingandtheentire trailerisliftedanddumped;consequently,smalltrucks/vanscannotdelivertoBearIsland. CityofRichmond/CommunityProjects Richmond’sUrbanForestryDivisionishousedintheDepartmentofPublicWorks.TheCityof RichmondhasbeenaTreeCityUSAforover20consecutiveyears.TheUrbanForestryDivision hasapproximatelyeightmaintenancepersonnelandtwoarborists(downfromfourarboristsin thepast).Theleadarborist/cityforesterisLukeMcCall.Tree“climbing”andmanyother maintenancefunctionsarecontractedtoprivatefirmsduetostaffingissues.Approximately $600,000peryearispaidtooutsidefirmsfortreemaintenancework.ThemajorityofCitytree removalsaregroundformulch. Richmond’sUrbanForestry(UF)DivisionhasfourPrentissloadersplusafifththathasbeen modifiedtoworkintandemwithastumpgrinder.Aswithmanycommunitiesaroundthe country,safetyisabigissueinRichmond.Afterastormevent,openingstreets,clearingpower lines,etc.,bytheUFDivision,takesprecedenceovertraditionaltreeutilization(logsalesfor example).Anestimateof99%oftheUFDivision’streeandbrushremovalsisdumped(no tippingfee)attheCity’s“ConvenienceSite”(operatedbyRichmond’sSolidWasteDivision);the materialisgroundintomulch. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 20 TheCityofRichmondparticipatesinProjectWARM(WoodAssociationoftheRichmond MetropolitanArea).TheSalvationArmyandJC’sarealsoactiveintheproject.ProjectWARM providesfirewoodtoneedyindividuals(identifiedbytheSalvationArmy).TheCitybuckslogs intofirewoodsizeandthenvolunteerssplitanddeliverthewood.Althoughaworthwhile effort,ProjectWARMcanbeadrainontheUFDivision’stimeandresources.Also,inrecent years,theCityisnotremovingasmanytreesperyearthatqualifyforthisprogram. Richmond’sSolidWaste(SW)Divisionoperatesagreenwastedump,referredtoasthe “ConvenienceSite.”Thissiteisfree(notippingfee)andisfortheuseofprivatecitizensaswell astheSWandUFDivisions.Onceayearormore,theSWDivisionhiresatubgrindertoconvert thetrees,limbsandsoforthintoamulch-typeproduct.Thegroundmaterialisthentrucked off-site. DuringarecentstormthathittheRichmondarea,theConvenienceSitewasdesignatedby FEMAasacollectionpointfortrees,limbs,etc.Othersitesinthearea—suchasright-of-ways andopenfields—werealsodeemedappropriatebyFEMAascollectionpoints. Non-Profits/VirginiaGovernmentOffices TheCityofRichmondUrbanForestryCommissionisavolunteerandadvisorygroupchairedby AndreaAlmond,aLandscapeArchitectwith3north.Thecitycouncilandmayorappointedthe Commissionin2010.OneoftheCommission’srolesistoserveasaliaisonbetweenprivate citizensandtheDepartmentofPublicWorks/DivisionofUrbanForestry.TheUrbanForestry Commissionhasbeenastrongadvocateforforestryandtree-relatedprojectsinRichmond. (See:http://www.richmondgov.com/commissionurbanforestry/index.aspx). RichmondTreeStewards(http://richmondtreestewards.org/about-us/)hasbeenanactive organizationsince2007whenthedormantgroupwasrevived.Thegroupworkscloselywith theCityofRichmondUrbanForestryDivisiontoplanprojects,eventsandclassesconsistent withthemissiontocarefortheurbanforestandprovideeducation.Sampleactivitiesofthe TreeStewardsincludewateringtrees,pruningprojects,mulching,andtreeplanting. TheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(DOF)http://www.dof.virginia.gov/isheadquarteredin Charlottesville.PaulRevellleadstheUrbanForestryprogramforVirginia.Inadditionto providingoverallcoordinationandleadershipfortheRichmondproject(thisstudy),Paulhas establishedanUrbanForestStrikeTeamprogramtodocument—followingamajorstorm event—existingpublicpropertytreesneededforFEMAreimbursement. CharlieBeckeristheUtilization&MarketingForesterfortheDOF.Charlie,likePaul,has statewideresponsibilityforhisareaofexpertise.Charlieisthe“go-toguy”inVirginiaregarding primaryandsecondarymills/woodproducers(loggers,timberbuyers,sawmills,pulpandpaper mills,pelletplants,specialtywoodmills,etc.).Charlieoverseesagranttitled“Addressing August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 21 OpportunitiesandIssuestoDevelopServiceProvidersandWoodProductsfromInterfaceand Urban/UrbanizingAreas.”CharliehascontractedwithVirginiaTechtodothesurveyand analysisofthebarrierstoutilizationofinterfaceandurbanwoodthroughoutVirginia(plus NorthCarolinaandGeorgia). TheVirginiaDepartmentofTransportation(DOT)isdividedintoninedistrictsacrossthe Commonwealth.EachdistricthasaRoadsideManagerthatoverseestreeplanting,tree removal,etc.intheirjurisdiction(multiplecounties).TheRichmondRoadsideManagerisChris Terrywhooversees14counties.Chrisisanarboristbytrainingandhastwoarboriststhat reporttohim. TheDOTcontractsouttheirworktoprivatefirmsfortreeremoval.TheDOTdoesn’thaveany equipment(chippersforex.)sotheirresponsibilitiesincludedraftingcontractsandmonitoring work.Contractsaretypicallywrittensothatanywoodgeneratedontheworksitebecomesthe propertyofthecontractor(oftenthecontractorisatreeservicefirm).Thecontractor,inturn, isfreetousethewoodforanylegalpurpose.Sometimesacontractiswritten(sitespecific)so mulch(woodchips)mustbedeliveredtotheroad-killcompostyardnearNewKent,eastof Richmond(thewoodchipsaremixedwithroad-killanimalstoproducecompostthatishighly demandedforuseasasoilamendment). RelatedBusinesses WoodcraftofRichmond(http://www.woodcraft.com/stores/store.aspx?id=325)isdedicatedto thewoodworkinghobbyistandcontractor.Wood,finishingsupplies,andtoolsandequipment aresomeoftheproductsofferedintheGlenAllenstore.Also,thefirmstocks3,000boardfeet ofkilndriedlumber,providesmeetingspaceforfourwoodturninggroups,hostsnumerous workshopsincludingwoodworkingfundamentalsandlatheturning,andhasanupcyclingand repurposingprojectareathatfocusesonreusingpallets,olddoors,whiskeybarrelsandother lumberproducts. SummaryofUrbanTreeUtilizationintheRichmondArea TheaboveoverviewofRichmondandsamplingofitscurrenttreeutilizationactivitiesleadto thefollowingobservations: • Innovativeandentrepreneurialtreeservicefirms(privatearborists)existinthe Richmondarea–Logsawing,furniture-making,andcustommillworkareafewofthe products/servicesofferedbysometreeservicefirms. • Alargepercentageoftreetake-downs(includinglimbs,brush,etc.)bytreeservicefirms endupasmulchand/oraredivertedfromlandfills–Itappearsthatmulchlocations (drop-offsitesfortreeresidue)serveasdistributionyards(orpotentialdistribution yards)forothermarketssuchaspulpandpaper,boilerfuel,etc. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 22 • • • • • • • • • • Fuelexpenses(relatedtotransportation),equipmentcosts,laborcosts,anddisposal fees,alongwithstoragespacefortreematerials,hinderenhancedurbantreeutilization –Thisisespeciallytrueamongtreeservicefirms.The“efficiencies”ofenhancedurban andcommunitytreeutilizationarecriticaltosuccess. TreedisposalcostsareNOTnecessarilythelargestcost(financialburden)of organizationsthatremoveurbantrees–Asnotedabove,itemssuchaslabor, equipmentandfuelcanbeverycostly. Themulchindustry(woodresiduerecyclers)islargeintheRichmondarea–Manyofthe largertreeservicefirmssendthemajorityoftheirtreestothemulchindustry.This observationfitswiththepatternofagrowingpopulationbase(morehomes, businesses,etc.)thatneed/wantmulchandrelatedproducts.Understandingthemulch industryappearstobekeyinbetterunderstandingurbantree(wood)flowinthe Richmondarea. BoilerfuelisapotentialmarketfortheRichmondarea–However,thedirectcostsof engaginginsuchamarketareenormous(tubgrinders,18-wheelers,etc.).Partners (collaborators)areneeded(likely)totapintothismarket. TheCityofRichmondisinvolvedininnovativeprogramslikeProjectWARMandthe ConvenienceSite-AnunderstaffedDepartmentofPublicWorks,UrbanForestryDivision (2arborists),however,hindersadditionalcreativeprogramsbeyondday-to-day activities. Historicpreservation,renovationandtheuseofreclaimedlumberissignificantinthe Richmondarea–Manyfirmsspecializeinthisindustrynicheincludingbuilders,lumber reclaimers,architectsandmore. NichebusinessesrelatedtourbantreeutilizationexistintheRichmondarea–Included inthesenichebusinessesaresawmillersandtreematerialaggregatorsthatdeliver productstovariousend-users. ThereisstrongadvocacyforurbanforestryprogramsamongRichmondareanon-profits andgovernmentalagencies-Thesegroupshavealsobeenintheforefrontofpushing forenhancedurbantreeutilization. Enhancedcoordinationamongkeyplayersisneeded–Thisincludesnotonlyidentifying thekeyplayersbutprovidingaforumforkeyplayerstoexplaintheirpoints-of-view, servicesandproductsoffered,identificationofmarkets,etc.Theupshotofthis observationisthata“leader”isneeded,especiallyonethatcanbridgethegapbetween privateandpublicsectors. Additionalaggregatorsareneeded–Mostorganizations(privateorpublic)arenotin thebusinessofaprofit-centeredurbantreeutilizationproject.Consequently,thereisa needforadditionalaggregators(and/orcollectionsites)oftreematerial(logs,limbs, brush,etc.).Theseaggregators,inturn,cansortandmarketthematerial(s). August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 23 PartII WhatisanIndustryorBusinessCluster? Thissectionofthereportintroducestheconceptofindustryclusters,outlinestheresearchbasedclusteringredientsforsuccess,anddescribestheclusteringcomponentsofurbantree utilizationintheRichmondmetropolitanarea.Recommendationsforstartingorexpanding urbantreeutilizationactivitiesonacommunity-widebasisareoffered. Fromadefinitionalstandpoint,industryclustersaregroupsoffirmsand/ororganizations locatedwithinadefinedgeographicregionwhohavedevelopedcooperativelinkswithone anotherthroughvalueandsupplychains,labor,anduseofsimilarinputs,technology,and complementaryproducts.Anotherwayofthinkingaboutthisconcept,isthataclusterisany instanceofcloselylocated(i.e.,geographicproximity)andcloselyalignedoperations(i.e.,high frequencyornumberoftransactions,orcloselyrelatedproductlines).Foraclustertoflourish, itisnecessarythatthepartiesinvolvedreceiveamutualbenefit. Clusterscanbeformallyorganizedthroughtradeassociations,buyersgroups,orcooperatives, ordevelopedthroughaninformalmanner(e.g.viafriends,families,orneighbors).Some clustersaredevelopedintentionallythroughgovernmentinterventionoractionsbya developmentagency,whileothersevolveasaresultoflocalentrepreneursthatdiscover,and seize,newmarketopportunities. Abenefitofclustersisthattheyoftenprovidebenefitsofefficiency,enhancedproductivity,and greaterresiliencetomembersduetothesynergiesandrelationshipstheysupport.Onthe downside,clustershavebeenknowntocreateconditionsofco-dependence,whichcanlimit anyindividualparticipant’sabilitytoinnovate.Interdependencecanalsocontributetothe quickdemiseofenterprisesduetosignificantchangesineconomic,social,orenvironmental conditions. Examplesofwell-knownclustersthroughouttheU.S.includethehightechnology-oriented (computer)industryinSiliconValley,California;theautomotiveindustryinandaround southernMichigan;9themovieproductionindustryinandaroundHollywood;andtheResearch TriangleParkclusterinNorthCarolina.Onasmallerscale,wood-basedclustersincludethe AmishfurnitureindustryinHolmesCounty,Ohio;theForestIndustryParkinLadysmith, Wisconsin;andthewoodenboatclusterinPortTownsend,Washington. 9 TheautoindustryhasbeenoneofthemostrecognizedindustryclustersintheU.S.Fordecades,hundredsof firmsclusteredaroundthiscoreindustrytoprovidesupportingservicesandproduct.Today,someofthe shortcomingsofclusterscanbeillustratedwithinthisindustrysector. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 24 Types of Clusters There are four descriptive categories of clusters. • Marshallian clusters are typically local small and medium-sized companies that trade their products and services with other cluster members. • Hub and spoke clusters include one or several large companies serving as anchor companies interacting with numerous small suppliers. • Satellite platform clusters consist of large companies with multiple branch locations that act independently. • State anchored clusters are based on an anchoring institution such as a university, government agency or military installation. IngredientsforaSuccessfulCluster In2008,theU.S.EndowmentforForestryandCommunitiescommissionedastudytoexamine thestatusof,andopportunitiesfor,businessclusteringwithintheU.S.forestproductssector andothercloselyalignedsectors.10Oneoftheoutcomesofthisstudywasasummaryand descriptionofingredientsforasuccessfulindustrycluster.Theingredientsforsuccessinclude:11 ü Feasibilityanalysis ü Education,technicalandresearchsupport ü Supportivegovernmentactionsincludingfinancialgrants ü Supportingandcomplementaryindustries ü Entrepreneurshipandinnovation ü Accesstorawmaterials,marketsandtransportationnetworks ü Leadership,commitmentandcollaboration ü Businessclimate 10 ThecompletereportisavailableattheU.S.Endowmentwebsite:http://www.usendowment.org/.Anadditional summaryreportisavailablefromDovetailPartnersat:http://www.dovetailinc.org/reports/ForestBased+Economic+Clusters_n300?prefix=%2Freports. 11 Becauseclusterscaninitiallyformandgrowindifferentways(viaentrepreneurship,governmentintervention, cooperatives,etc.)theelementsoringredientsforsuccesscanvaryfromtheabovelistandincludeother ingredientssuchasprivatefinancing(privateinvestment),laborresources,andoverallinfrastructureincluding availabilityofutilities,buildings,buildingsites,workforce,etc. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 25 Inanygivencluster,certainingredientswillbemoreimportantorcriticalforsuccessthan others.Forexample,entrepreneurshipandinnovationmightbethecriticalingredientfora businesspersondevelopinganewproductinanuntappedmarketwhichcanleadtoawaveof similarindustriesinageographicregion.Likewise,leadership,commitmentandcollaboration spearheadedbyachampion(individualorgroup)areoftenvitaltojump-startaclustersuchas inthecaseofanindustrialparkdevelopment.Regardlessofthecriticalkeytosuccess,most successfulindustryclusterswillexhibitmost,ifnotall,oftheaboveingredientsduringtheir developmentandinitialexpansion. TheClusterModelAppliedtotheRichmondMetropolitanAreaUrban TreeUtilization Thefollowingsectionhighlightstheaboveingredientsforsuccesswithabriefexplanationofthe ingredient(element)adaptedfromtheU.S.Endowmentreport(initalics).Thisexplanationis followedbyadescriptionofactivitiesrelatedtothecityofRichmond(andgreatermetropolitan area)urbantreeutilization. FeasibilityAnalysis Afeasibilityanalysisservesasastartingpointforactivitiesleadingtothedevelopmentofnew, orexpansionofexisting,businessclusters.Tocapturemarketpotential,theanalysisshould includeassessmentofaregion’seconomicconditions,rawmaterialsupply,laborresources, existinginfrastructure,potentialmarketsanddevelopmentopportunities—includingtypesof newindustriesthatwouldcomplementexistingfirms. Thereexistanumberofstatewideassessmentsorfeasibilityanalysesthatincludeurbanand communityforestry.OneexampleistheVirginiaStatewideAssessmentofForestResources (www.dof.virginia.gov/print/aboutus/2010-State-Assessment.pdf).Otherexamplesincludeurbanand communityforestrystudiesconductedforRoanoke,Radford,andFairfaxCounty(seereferencesatend ofreport).AstreettreeassessmentforRichmond(andahostofothercommunities)wasconductedby VirginiaTechusingthei-TreeStreetsmodeldevelopedbytheUSDAForestService (http://urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/STREETS/reports.html).Noneofthesestudieshowever,investigated urbanandcommunitytreeutilization. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 26 Education,TechnicalandResearchSupport Education,technicalandresearchsupportisimportantforthegrowthofabusinesscluster.The roleofpublicandprivateuniversities,communityandtechnicalcolleges,publicagencyoutreach programs,andtrainingactivitiessponsoredbytradeorganizationsarevital. Asnotedearlierinthisreport,theRichmondareaishometo10collegesanduniversities.Many ofthesepost-secondaryschoolshaveoutreachprogramsand/orservenon-traditional(older) students.Thereisalsoamixofprivate,public,communityandtechnicalschoolsamong Richmond’scollegesanduniversities. WoodcraftofRichmond,asoneexample,isaprivatefirmthatteacheswoodworkingand relatedskillstoavarietyofaudiences.Providingmeetingspaceandservingashostto establishedgroups(woodturners)areotherservicesoffered. ExpoRichmond(EastCoastLoggingandEquipmentExposition)isabi-annualeventthatattracts exhibitorsandvisitorsfromaroundthenation(http://www.exporichmond.com/index.html). Theexpositionincludesfirmsspecializinginloggingequipment,sawmills,sawblades,chain saws,conveyorsandlogsplitters,shreddingmachineryanddebarkers,forestrytools,trucks andtrailers,lumberdryers,insurance,andmore.Education/technicalsessionsarealsooffered duringtheevent. Nearby,CharlottesvilleisheadquartersfortheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry,Urban& CommunityForestryprogram(http://www.dof.virginia.gov/forestry/community/index.htm), theVirginiaNaturalResourcesLeadershipInstitute(http://www.virginia.edu/ien/vnrli/),and theGreenInfrastructureCenter(http://www.gicinc.org/index.htm).Thelatterhasdevelopeda GIS-basedmapofRichmond’semptycitylots(possiblesitesforlogyards). August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 27 SupportiveGovernmentActionsincludingGrants Government—local,regional,orfederal—oftenplaysakeyroleinclusterdevelopmentand/or expansion.Insomeinstances,publicdollarsorhumanresourcesareneededtojumpstarta clusterinitiative.Inothers,governmentcancontributebyassistingstrugglingclustersregain lostmomentumanddirection. TheVirginiaUrbanForestCouncil(TreesVirginia)isaStateandFederal501©(3)non-profit organizationbasedinCharlottesville(http://www.treesvirginia.org/).Themissionofthe Council/TreesVirginiaistoenhancethequalityoflifethroughstewardshipofVirginia’surban andcommunitytrees.Foundedin1990,andincorporatedin1991,theorganizationreceived seedfundsfromtheUSDAForestService,andissupportedbytheVirginiaDepartmentof Forestry.12 OneoftheoutreacheffortsbytheUrbanForestCouncil/TreesVirginiaistheTreeStewards program.TreeStewards(ninegroupsstatewide)aretrainedcommunityvolunteerswho provideclasses,educationalprograms,andprojectsintheircommunities.ThecityofRichmond hasanactiveTreeStewardsprogram(http://richmondtreestewards.org/). TheUrbanForestryCommissionwasestablishedbytheRichmondCityCounciltohelpimprove theCity’surbanforestryresourcesthroughpolicy,development,fundraising,advice,and education(http://www.richmondgov.com/commissionurbanforestry/index.aspx).The Commissionmeetsmonthlytoachievethesegoals,andservesasanadvisorybodytothe DepartmentofPublicWorksandtheRichmondCityCouncil. SupportingandComplementaryIndustries Businessclustersoftenprovidebenefitsofefficiency,enhancedproductivity,andgreater resiliencytomembersduetothesynergiesandrelationshipstheysupport. Therearevariousindustries(largeandsmall)thateitherdirectlyorindirectlysupportone anotherregardingurbantreeutilizationintheRichmondarea.Oneexamplearetreeservice firmsthatpayanindependentcontractortoremovewoodfromtheirworksite;thecontractor thenresellsthematerialtoatraditionalforestproductsindustryforpulpwoodand/orsaw logs.Anotherexampleiswhereatreeservicefirmdumpsmaterialatamulchsite;thematerial (logs,limbs,brush,etc.)isseparatedintovariousproductcategoriesandtheneitherconverted tomulchorsenttoothermarkets.Athirdexampleiswheretreeservicefirmsdeliverlogstoan individualwhocraftstheloginto(say)afurniturepiece.Alloftheseactivitiesareexamplesof supportingandcomplementaryindustries.Thisconnectioniskeytoclusterdevelopmentand success. 12 SupportisalsoreceivedfromtheMid-AtlanticChapteroftheInternationalSocietyofArboriculture,andthe AmericanGrove. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 28 EntrepreneurshipandInnovation Entrepreneurialthinkingbytheleadershipofclusterbusinesses,governmentsandsupporting organizationsiscrucialtosuccess.Entrepreneurshipisinstrumentalinhelpingidentifyniche markets,stimulatinginnovativeness,andindevelopingcompetitiveadvantage. Entrepreneurshipandinnovationcandevelopinmanysizesandforms.Infact,thedifferent methodsandapproachesemployedbyentrepreneursandinnovatorsisastrengthofthis businessclusterkeyingredient.Thefollowingexamplesillustratethiskeyingredient. Asnotedearlierinthisreport,someRichmondareatreeservicefirmsofferproductsand servicesthatsetthemapartfromtypicaltreeservicefirms.Offeringsincludelogsawing(milled lumber),custommillwork,customcabinets,HabitatforHumanitylumber,shedconstruction, andmore. HistoricalWoodsofAmerica(HWA)(http://humanitreeservice.com),althoughnotbasedin Richmond,hasturnedRichmondtreesintoreclaimedproductsaboveandbeyondfirewoodand mulch.HWA,basedinWoodford,VA,southofFredericksburg,usesdownedtreesortimbers fromhistoricsitesandreclaimsthemaswritinginstruments,furniture,artwork,sculpture, historicalmemorabilia,flooring,architecturalmoldingsandrawtimber. Historicpreservationandrenovation(usingreclaimedlumber)isespeciallystronginRichmond, dueinparttoitsclosetoproximitytoWilliamsburg.Asmentionedabove,manyRichmond firmsareengagedinthisbusinessventure(examplesincludeE.T.Moore,Tektonics,Wellborn& Wright,EcoSupply,SurfaceArchitecturalSupply,andNewEarth). Alloftheaboveexamplesillustratethatentrepreneurshipandinnovationisaliveandwellin theRichmondarea. AccesstoRawMaterials,MarketsandTransportationNeeds Accesstorawmaterials(inputs)andmarketsiscrucialtoclusterdevelopmentandlong-term viability.Adependableflowofrawmaterialsandstablemarketsforproductsandservicesare keytosustainableclusters.Anadequatetransportationinfrastructureisneededtoensure accesstorawmaterialsandmarkets. OnetreeserviceinRichmondestimatedthattheareaislikelyhometo100ormoretreeservice firms.TheCityofRichmondremovesapproximately1,000-1,200treesperyear.Richmondis alsoasprawlingcommunity,gobblingupchunksoftree-coveredlandfornewhomes,industrial sites,androads.Allofthesefactorsguaranteeaconstantsupplyofrawmaterial(trees). TheexpandingpopulationoftheRichmondareabodeswellformarketsasthepotential customerbasegrows.Consequently,marketsforlandscapematerialssuchasmulchand August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 29 compost,lumber,specialtywoodproducts,etc.,shouldremainstrong.Producersofurban woodproductscanadvertise,sell,anddistributetheiritemstoalargeandgrowingpopulation. Richmondisatthecrossroadsoftwointerstatehighways(I-64andI-95)whichassistinmoving rawmaterialsandproductstomarketinarelativelyefficientmanner.13Also,aninternational airportisconvenientlylocatedinRichmond. Leadership,CommitmentandCollaboration Leadershipbyathirdparty(industry,non-profitorganization,publicentity,etc.)isoftenneeded tocoordinateactivitiesofstakeholdersinvolvedindevelopingabusinesscluster.Anumbrella organizationcanhelpclusterbusinessesandorganizationsidentifynichemarkets,assistwith workforcetraininganddevelopment,seekfinancialresources,improvenetworkingamong clustermembers,educatebusinessesaboutthebenefitsofclustering,andgainpoliticalsupport forthecluster.Itisimportantthatclusterstakeholders,representingindustry,government,and supportingorganizationsworktogethertocreatealong-termvisionfortheclusteranduse strategiesandpoliciesthatsupportclusterdevelopment. Twogroupsstand-outasprovidingleadershipforenhancedutilizationoptionsforRichmond areaurbantrees.First,theUrban&CommunityForestryprogramwithintheVirginia DepartmentofForestryhasprovidedleadershiptonotonlyRichmond,buttotheentirestatein theformoffinancialgrants,co-sponsoringofevents,andotherformsofsupport.Second,the localgroupinRichmondthathasspearheadedeffortsrelatingtourbantreeutilization (specifically,thisgrant)istheUrbanForestryCommission(UFC).TheUFCisaninterdisciplinary groupcomprisedofninevotingmembers,threemembersappointedbythemayorandsix appointedbytheCityCouncil. TheVADOFUrban&CommunityForestryprogramandtheUrbanForestryCommissionworkin acollaborativefashionwithmanyentitiestoaccomplishtheirgoals.Also,bothgroupsarevery committedtotheidealsofastrongurbanforestryprograminRichmond. BusinessClimate Asupportivebusinessenvironmentiscrucialtothedevelopmentandstrengthofbusiness clusters. Urbantreeutilizationisessentiallyarecyclingactivitysincetreeremovalsaredivertedfromthe wastestreamintousefulproducts.Sincerecyclingistypicallyconsideredagreenactivity,the utilizationofdiscardedurbantreesisrecognizedasagreenbehavior.TheCityofRichmond hostsanumberofgreenactivitiesonanannualbasis(see: http://www.visitrichmondva.com/events/greenevents/). 13 Interstate85also‘funnels’intoRichmondonthesouthsideoftheCity. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 30 TheCityofRichmondofferscurbsiderecycling.Recyclableitemssuchasnewspapers,mixed paper,aluminumcans,etc.canbemixedtogetherinahomeowner’srecyclingbin.FourdropoffrecyclingcentersintheCitycanbeusedbyapartmentcomplexesandbusinesses. TheSustainabilityParknearChester(southofRichmond)isanexampleofforwardminded thinkingrelatingtotheenvironment(http://www.thesustainabilitypark.com/index.htm). Foundedin2006,theeco-industrialparkisacollectionofmanufacturersprovidinggreenjobs andnewtechnologiesincludingrenewableenergy.Tenants’servicesincludeLEEDcertification, biomassproduction,logistics,warehousing,C&D(constructionanddemolition)processing, retailandcommunityoutreach. Astheaboveexamplesdemonstrate,thebusinessclimateintheRichmondareasupportsgreen activities.Therefore,urbantreeutilizationwillbenefitfromthison-goingbehavior. RecommendationsforAdvancingUrbanTreeUtilizationClusteringin theRichmondArea Thefollowingrecommendationsareofferedinnoparticularorder.However,the recommendationsarebasedonnumerouspersonalinterviews,site-visits,observations,past experiencesinworkingwithurbantreeutilizationclusters,andreviewofpublicdocuments. • Conductafeasibilitystudy-Thisisthestartingpointforadvancingtheideaofbusiness clusteringasitrelatestourbantreeutilization.Afeasibilitystudyshouldincludea comprehensiveinventoryoftreeremovals,includingleaves,limbsandbranches(tree pruningresidue),andacategorizationoftheseremovals(sawlogquality,pulpwood, firewood,etc.).TheprotocolusedinsoutheastMichiganisamodelworthadopting and/oradjustingfortheRichmondarea(MacFarlane2007). • Evaluatetheoverallbusinessclimateintermsofeconomicconditions,existing infrastructure,laborresourcesandotherfactors-Thiseffortcanbeincludedinthe feasibilitystudyiftimeandresourcespermit;ifnot,aseparateanalysisshouldbe conducted.Strategiesthat“makeitpay”tobetterutilizeurbantreesshouldbecarefully examined.Sometimesa“makeitpay”or“makeabuck”messageisquicklydismissed whenaproducer(say,atreeservicebusiness)contemplatestheadditionalexpenses thathis/herfirmmightincurtobetterutilizetrees(bigger/longertrucks,portablemill, dryingcapabilities,etc.).Anothermethodofdescribingthisissueistotalkintermsof “cost-avoidance.”Allfirms,bigorsmall,urbantreeutilizersornon-utilizers,canrelate tothemessageofcost-avoidance.Sincetreeservicefirms(asanexample)arenotinthe businessofmakingwoodproductsorsalvagingtreeparts,theconceptof“costavoidance”mightbeaneasiersellthanscenariosdescribingaprofit-centerfromtree utilization. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 31 Apubliceducationcampaign(tiedintorecyclingawarenessandthegreenmovement) andcoupledwithbettermarketsforurbantreeproductsisneededintheRichmond area.Forexample,recyclingmessages(whetherinsuburbannewspapers,billboards, radioortelevisionads,etc.)shouldincludeurbantreesinalistofrecyclableitemssuch asaluminumcans,mixedpaper,andnewspapers.Thesameistrueforthe“buylocal” movement–lumberandlumberproductsinadditiontomulch,compost,andfirewood –shouldbetoutedasaproductthatcanbeproducedintheRichmondarea.Tying urbantreeutilizationintotheexistingreclaimedlumbermovementisastrategythat shouldbeinvestigated. Since“lackofspace”and“transportationcosts”werecommonthemesundermining innovativeurbantreeutilization,anideaistolocatetreedrop-offpoints(yardswith freeorreducedtippingfees)aroundtheRichmondarea.Thesepublic/privateyards couldbecomeutilizationcenters(hubs)forlogsortingandsales,logsawing,etc.(a personwithexperienceinoperatingalogyardshouldoverseethiseffort).Existing disposallocations,suchasmulchsites,shouldbecontactedfirsttodiscusstheprosand consofsuchastrategy.Also,siteswithinthecityofRichmond(GreenInfrastructure Centerstudy)andEPAbrownfieldsitesshouldbeconsideredaspossiblelocationsfor logyards. • Collaboratewithstakeholdersfromindustry,governmentandsupportingindividualsand organizations-Thekeyistogetbuy-infromvariousstakeholdersanddevelopavision forutilizationofurbantreesincludingnext-stepsandactionitems.Itisimportantthat stakeholderssharekeyinformationwithoneanother(withoutdivulgingcompanyor organizationalsecrets).Storagespaceandtransportationcosts(asnotedabove), equipment,tippingfees,etc.aresomeoftheissuesthatneedtobe“onthetable”for meaningfulcollaborationtotakeplace.Differentstakeholdersoftenhavedifferent “issues”sobettercommunicationisneededbetweenthegroups(forthebettermentof everyone). • Selectaleadertocoordinateactivities,facilitatedevelopmentandgainpolicysupport- Theleaderorchampiondoesnotnecessarilyhavetopossessautilizationbackground butshouldstronglysupporttheutilizationeffortandshouldhavetheability(andtime!) tousehisorherpositionto“rallythetroops.”Alocalandrespectedurbanforestry leadercouldfillthisrole. • Securefunding-Financialresources,bothprivateandpublic,areimportanttosupport feasibilitystudies,technologydevelopment,workforcetraining,capitalinvestment, appliedresearchandotherprojectcomponents.Fundingsourcescanincludenational, state,orlocal.Programsdirectedatwoodutilizationandurbanforestryeffortsare obviousavenuesforobtainingfundingbutbroad-basedrecyclinggrants,smallbusiness loans,andbio-basedenergyprograms(asexamples)canalsoprovidedirectfinancial supportforurbantreeutilization. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 32 • Focusoneducationandengagementofentrepreneurialthinkingandinnovation- Supportthecreationofapositionwiththeassigneddutiesof‘urbanwoodutilization’ eitherforRichmondorinastatewidecapacity(perhapsbasedinCharlottesville).A personinthiscapacitycanefficientlyfocusoneducationandtrainingopportunitiesfor arborists(logmanufacturing,grading,transport,etc.),assistandencouragestart-up urbanwoodbusinesses,conductutilization-basedfeasibilitystudies(seeabove),and becomeafocalpointfortechnical/hands-onutilizationactivities. • • Nurturesupportingandcomplementaryindustries-Animportanttaskofeitherthe leader/champion,urbanwoodspecialist,orkeystakeholder(s)istofacilitate partnershipsandrelationships(formalorinformal)betweenthenumerousindustries (andorganizations)thatareinthecluster(orbeginningstagesofacluster).Thiseffort shouldshowclustermembershowtheirbusinessesareinterconnectedanddependent ononeanotherfromprocurementofrawmaterials(suchasaboulevardtree)to production,marketinganddistributionofend-products(suchasmulch,firewood, lumberorfurniture). Recognizethedifferencesintypesofclustersandactaccordingly-Onestrategyfor clusterdevelopmentistoselectornurtureoneoffourmodelsasastartingpoint,or builduponwhatalreadyexists(seeearlierdescriptionofclustertypes).Thiscanhelp focuseffortsandprovideaframeworkforcollaborativework.Richmond(especiallythe privatesector)appearstobeintheearlystagesofaMarshalliancluster–onethatis typicallycomprisedofsmallandmedium-sizedcompaniesthattradetheirproductsand serviceswithotherclustermembers. • DevelopaRichmondregionallistofsmallsawmills,loggers,timberbuyers,andforest productmanufacturers-Adirectoryisneededfor“small”timberusersinthearea.The mills,loggers,andothersonapotential“smallproducer”listareoftennotincludedina statewidedirectoryofprimaryandsecondaryproducers.Thelistshouldbespecificto theRichmondarea.Minnesota(TwinCities),Michigan(Detroit)andIllinois(Chicago) haveproducedalistforspecificmetropolitanareas. • Workcloselywiththeexistingmulchindustry–Sincemulchisalargeandseemingly growingmarketintheRichmondarea,innovatorsandentrepreneursshouldexplore ‘other’productsthatcouldbemanufacturedfromurbantreesthatfitwiththemulch industry.Landscapetimbersandrusticfencingaretwopossibleproductsthatcouldbe produced,andsoldwith,moretraditionalmulchproducts. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 33 BottomLine TheRichmondmetropolitanareaishometoover1.2millionpeople,andgrowing.Eastcentral Virginia(whichincludesthecapitalcityofRichmond)supportsastrongforestryandforest productsindustry.Historicpreservationandrenovationareimportantbusinessesinthe Richmondarea,dueinparttotheproximityofWilliamsburg. Richmond,andthesurroundingarea,ishometo“undertheradar”firmscurrentlyutilizing urbantreesbeyondthetraditionalproductsofmulchandfirewood.Evidenceofanemerging urbantreebusinessclustercanbefoundintheprivatesector,butaleaderisneededtomove themomentumforward.Anurbantreeutilizationleadercanmobilizebothprivateandpublic sectorstocollaborateonissuesthatimpactbothgroups.Aleadercouldalsoprovidethespark foramuch-neededfeasibilityanalysisinRichmondthatestimatestreeremovalsandpotential products. AsteptheCitycouldtakeimmediately,withoutanoutlayofmoney,istoprovideleadershipfor adirectoryof“small”timberusersintheRichmondarea.Themills,loggers,andothersona potential“smallproducer”listareoftennotincludedinastatewidedirectoryofprimaryand secondaryproducers.Thedirectorycouldbecompiledbyathird-party.However,theCity shouldtakethesteptogettheballrolling. PartIII. UrbanForestryProgramAssessment Includedwithinthescopeoftheprojectwasanassessmentoftheoverallurbanforestry programcapacityandoperationstoidentifyandevaluatecorestrengthsandopportunities. Thisassessmentprocesswasinformedbyseveralexistingapproachestosystemevaluations andforestryassessments. DescriptionofAssessmentDesign Urbanforestassessmentstypicallyaddresstheinventoryandevaluationoftheurbanforest, includingstreettreeinspectionsandrecords.However,inthisprojectwiththecityof Richmond,theobjectivewastoevaluatetheurbanforestryprogramitself.Todothis,three activitieswereundertaken: 1) areviewofprogrammaterials(e.g.,policies,accomplishmentreports,communications, andotherdocuments); 2) asitevisittointerviewstaff,tourthecity,andobserveprogramactivitiesandoutcomes ontheground;and 3) asurveyofexternalstakeholderstogathertheirinputintotheidentificationofprogram strengthsandopportunities. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 34 TheassessmentdesignwasinformedbythefacilitationandplanningprocessusedbyDovetail Partners,includingapplicationoftheMobiusModeldescribedbelow.Theassessmentdesign wasalsoinformedbyexperiencewiththird-partyforestcertificationsystems.Todate,thirdpartyforestcertificationsystems(includingtheprogramsoftheSustainableForestryInitiative (SFI),ForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC))havegenerallybeenappliedtoruralforestrysystems, includingcommercialforestmanagement.However,areviewofsomeofthestandardsfor theseprograms(Table1)illustratesthattheyhavebroadapplicabilitytothepracticeofforestry moregenerally. Table1.PrinciplesfortheFSCandSFIcertificationprograms FSCPrinciples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. CompliancewithLawsandFSCPrinciples TenureandUseRightsandResponsibilities IndigenousPeoples’Rights CommunityRelationsandWorkers’Rights BenefitsfromtheForest EnvironmentalImpact ManagementPlan MonitoringandAssessment MaintenanceofHighConservationValue Forests 10. PlantationManagement SFIPrinciples 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. SustainableForestry ForestProductivityandHealth ProtectionofWaterResources ProtectionofBiologicalDiversity AestheticsandRecreation ProtectionofSpecialSites ResponsibleFiberSourcingPracticesinNorth America LegalCompliance Research TrainingandEducation CommunityInvolvementandSocial Responsibility Transparency ContinualImprovement AvoidanceofControversialSourcesincluding IllegalLoggingandOffshoreFiberSourcing Inadditiontothevariousforestcertificationprograms,thereareothercertificationand recognitionprogramsthataredirectlyapplicabletourbanforestsandurbanforestproducts. Theseinclude: -TreeCityUSA,ArborDayFoundationandtheNationalAssociationofStateForesters RichmondhasbeenarecognizedTreeCityforover20consecutiveyears.Theprogramrequires thatthecityhaveaTreeBoardorDepartment;ATreeCareOrdinance;ACommunityForestry Programwithanannualbudgetofatleast$2percapita;andanArborDayobservanceand proclamation.Moreinformationisavailableat:http://www.arborday.org/ -UrbanForestSustainability&ManagementAssessment,USDAForestServiceCentersfor UrbanandInterfaceForestry Thisisanewprogramthatcanhelpurbanforestprogramsbenchmarktheirresourcesand programcapacity.Theresultscanprovidedirectionforurbanforestmanagementprograms andplans.TheprogramhasbeentestedinGeorgiaandtheprogramdevelopersareinterested inworkingwithadditionalbetatestingsites.Theauditprocesscanbecompletedinternallyor August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 35 withexternalauditorassistanceandoversight.Theprogramiscompatibleandcomplementary toTreeCitydesignations.14 -SCSSalvagedWood&FiberStandard,SCSGlobalServices Thisprogramiscurrentlyunderdevelopmentandisbeingdesignedtodefinetheresponsible recoveryofwood(andotherbiomaterials),includingsalvagedandreusedmaterials.The proposedstandardspecificallydefinesandincludesUrbanWoodasaneligiblematerial.Urban Woodisdefinedtoincludetreesalongstreets,parksandgreenspaces,andfromotherurban areas.Thestandardprovidesatrackingprocess(chainofcustody)andauditoversightthat assurescustomerstheproductcanbetracedbacktoasalvagedsource.Verifiedproductscan carrytheSCSecolabel.Moreinformation,includingthecurrentstatusoftheproposed standard,isavailablebycontactingSCSGlobalServicesat:http://www.scsglobalservices.com/ DovetailPartnershasbeeninvolvedinforestcertificationstandardsetting,auditing,and evaluationsformanyyears.Thisexperiencewasappliedinthedevelopmentoftheurban forestryprogramassessmentforthisprojectandmayhelpdemonstratethebroader applicabilityofthird-partyforestcertificationsystemstourbanforestrysituations. Figure6.MobiusModel Thereareavarietyofformalcollaborative processes.Regardlessofwhichoneisused,the conceptofagoodformalcollaborativeprocess hasatitshearttheoldadage“measuretwice, cutonce.”DovetailPartnershasadopteda collaborativegroupprocessbasedontheworkof WilliamS.Stockton,Ph.D,PatrickO’Brien,and theMobiusModelTM(Figure6).Theapproach hasbeenappliedforovertwenty-fiveyearsand extensiveresearchwasusedtodevelopit.The structureoftheMobiusModelprovidesa guidelineforthedevelopmentofmulti-group collaboration.Sometimesthisapproachis representedasawheel(Figure6).Theprocess includessixstepsthatarefollowedinapositive direction(clockwise),beginningwiththe assessmentstep,identifiedasWell-Beingin Source:DevelopedbyProductiveDesign,Inc.andWilliam Figure6. Stockton,PhD Therearesixbasicstepstothecollaborative process. 1) Assessmentofthesituationformutualunderstanding(Well-Being), 2) Identificationofpossibilities(Possibility), 14 Moreinformationisavailableat:http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2015/04/22/urban-forestry-south-testsnew-urban-forest-sustainability-and-management-audit-system/ August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 36 3) 4) 5) 6) Groupcommitmenttocertainpossibilities(Commitment), Developmentofaplan(Ability), Selectionofchampions(Responsibility),and Evaluationofprogressand/orsuccess(Recognition). Althoughthisprocessmayseemsimilartoothermodels,thedevilisinthedetails.The emphasisincollaborativeprocessesislessontheplanportion(steps4-6)andmoreonthe incorporationofdiverseopinionsintotheassessment,ideacreation,andcommitmentstages (steps1-3).Anemphasisonthefirstthreestepsisusedtoensureinclusionofdiffering perspectivesinthefinalplan.Byspendingadditionaltimecomingtoamutual,shared understandingofthebroaderneedsofthevaryinggroups,newpossibilitiesarisethatwould nototherwiseshowup,includingthepotentialtogaincommitmentfromdiverseparticipants, trustandrespectfortheprocessandgreaterhappinesswiththeendresult. TheurbanforestryassessmentprojectinRichmondfocusedonthefirsttwostepsofthe collaborativeprocess.Theassessmentprocessincludedtheuseofasurveytooltogatheras muchinputaspossiblefromexternalstakeholdersandinterestgroups. Inadditiontothecollaborativeprocessthatwasusedtoinformtheassessmentdesign,thirdpartyforestcertificationwasalsoreferenced.ThebasicprinciplesfortheForestStewardship Council(FSC)andSustainableForestryInitiative(SFI)certificationprogramsareshowninTable 1.Althoughforestcertificationhasgenerallybeenappliedtotraditional,ruralforestry,basic principleslikelegalcompliance,protectionofwaterresources,managementplanning,and trainingandeducationalsohaveapplicabilitytourbanforestmanagement.Thereviewof documentsandon-siteevaluationsthatwereconductedaspartoftheprojectweredesignedto exploreconsiderationsandapproachesthatwouldbesimilarinscopeandcontenttoathirdpartyforestcertificationaudit. AssessmentFindings:On-siteVisitandDocumentReview TheassessmentincludedapreliminaryvisitinDecember2013andanadditionalon-sitevisitto meetwithstaffandtouroperationsinlate-Aprilandearly-May2014.StaffandManagement wereengagedinmeetingsduringthesitevisit,andoperationswerealsovisitedandobserved throughoutthecity(e.g.,treeremoval,materialmanagement,etc.). TheCityofRichmond,DepartmentofPublicWorks,hasresponsibilityforthemanagementof theurbanforest.TheDepartmentincludestwoarboristsonstaffandapproximately120,000 treesaremanagedbytheCityandabout2,000treesareplantedperyear.Approximately 1,000-1,200treesareremovedannually.TheCityislimitedto7-8treemaintenancespecialists andhavethreecrewswhenatfullcapacity.Consultants(e.g.,DaveyTree)providecontracted services(e.g.,climbing,etc.).TheCityofRichmondhasmaintainedTreeCitystatusformore than20yearsasaresultofdemonstratedcommitmenttocaringforandmaintainingthecity’s trees.TheCityhasacomprehensiveinventorysystemwhichprovidestreelocation,species, August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 37 diameter,conditionandadditionaldetailedinformation.TheDepartmentofPublicWorksis accreditedthroughtheAmericanPublicWorksAssociation(APWA). TheDepartmenthasanumberofsystemsinplacetoensurelegalcomplianceaswellas effectivecitizenengagement,communication,andservice.Notificationletters,inspections, andpostednoticesareusedtoensurethepublicisawareoftreemanagementneedsand operations.Legalcouncilisalsousedasnecessarytoensurethecityisoperatingappropriately. TheDepartmenthasdemonstratedacommitmenttobestpracticesinurbanforestrythrough activitiesrangingfrominventoryandassessmentprocesses,tomaintenance,removal,and replanting.RelationshipswithconsultantsandprivatesectorbusinessesenhancetheCity’s capacities.Collaborationswithstakeholders(e.g.,TreeStewards,TreesVirginia,etc)also supporttheurbanforestryprogram. Aspartoftheassessment,sitevisitsweremadetothegreenwastesite,toviewstormcleanup crews,andmeetwithexternalstakeholders.Visitswerealsomadetoprivatetreecare companiesandtoviewtreeremovalactivities. Asdiscussedinothersectionsofthisreport,theCitybenefitsfromawiderangeofsupporting resourcesinthearea,includingpublicandprivateorganizationsengagedinforestry,land management,andforestproductsandresearchinstitutions.TheCityhasgoodrelationships andeffectivecommunicationwiththeregionalresourcestoallowforcollaborationand partnershipstooccur. AssessmentFindings:SurveyResults Onlinesurveysweredevelopedtogatherinputtotheassessmentfromexternalstakeholdersto thecity’surbanforestryprogram. Theexternalsurvey(Appendix1)wasdirectedtocitizensthatwereengagedintheforestry programinsomeway(e.g.,TreeStewards)andwouldhaveareasonablelevelofknowledge abouttheprogramsandactivitiesundertakenbytheDepartment.Theexternalsurveyincluded questionstoaddressperceivedstrengths,weaknesses,opportunitiesandthreats(SWOT analysis)totheurbanforestryprogram. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 38 Atotalof21responseswerereceivedfortheExternalSurvey.Table2providesdemographic informationabouttherespondents. Table2.DemographicInformationaboutRespondents Characteristics ExternalSurvey(N=21) Gender Male 37% Female 63% Age 18-24 0% 25-34 11% 35-44 11% 45-54 26% 55-64 31% 65-74 16% 75orolder 5% Doyouworkinforestry,forestproducts,orarelatednaturalresourcefield? Yes 37% No 63% Whatisyourrelationshipwiththecity’surbanforestryprograms?(selectallthatapply) Currentorpastcitystaffor 6% employee Currentorpastcitycontractor 0% MemberofCitizenadvisorygroup 22% Cityresident 56% Businessowner 6% Electedofficial 0% Other 44%(Environmentalnon-profitemployee,Pastmember ofadvisorygroup(s),Educator,Volunteer,Workinthe city.) Thefollowinginformationwasprovidedfromthesurveyresponses(emphasisaddedto highlightkeywordsandphrases). Q1: What do you think are the greatest STRENGTHS of the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what is working well, what are you most appreciative of, what would you like to see continue?) - City arborists do an amazing job of attending tree related events. Especially, considering they are short staffed. Aggressive plantings The Tree Stewards program is a great asset to the city. It encourages volunteerism and helps develop a sense of ownership among citizens. So many people are willing to take the course. The courses for certification are good, and I like taking care of the trees. The city seems to be appreciative of whatever help they can get. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 39 - - - - There are a number of non-profit/volunteer organizations that augment what the city and its contractors are able to do. The dedication and work of the two current city arborists, outstanding. Current push to increase street tree planting is positive but perhaps overly ambitious. The river park system is a blessing. Able arborists who repeatedly demonstrate that they care about the urban forest. They are responsive to concerns raised by citizens; they volunteer their time to teach and inform, especially with neighborhood organizations and service organizations such as Tree Stewards. There has [sic] been many new tree plantings. I value that the city works with volunteer organizations such as the Richmond Tree Stewards. As a volunteer, I like that other government operations help, for example, when watering city trees the Fire Departments if available, will help fill our large water tank. That saves a lot of time and lets others know what it going on with the urban forest. The two arborists are terrific. Their attitudes about Urban Forestry are great! Plus, they seem to be everywhere, during the week, the weekends, with trucks, supplies. Do they ever sleep? It’s a huge job for only two people. The volunteer Tree Stewards are so dedicated, well-trained and communicative. They are an exceptional group of informed helpers. They deserve a lot of recognition! Arborists are great. Program is good, just too small. In recent years, the city has been more responsible to the urban forest demonstrations by significant budget increases to effect replacement tree planting and new planting, both of street trees and park trees. Urban Forestry department needs more staff. The city is good at tree planting. Also, working with volunteers groups, such as the Richmond Tree Stewards is a strength. It is good to work with groups outside urban forestry such as how the fire departments will fill up our water tanks if we are watering park trees. The city has been planting more trees recently. I don’t think this was happening 10 or 15 years ago. It seems to have increased. The annual planting of trees on public land which began several years ago is a big plus, however care of those new trees is lacking apparently due to no funding for maintenance. The 2 arborists currently employed are very knowledgeable and dedicated, however they do not have the support needed to do their jobs well. More trees in the downtown area and wherever we can break up and beautify the concrete jungle. I don’t see any real strengths from the city. There are real strengths from the private sector. Capital tree project is doing a great job, but the city’s urban forestry commission is getting no help from the city. City employees and volunteers work well together, with mutual respect and good coordination. Overall, the city has a quite respectable canopy coverage of approximately 42%. City government took a major step toward creating a comprehensive management plan with the 3-year contract with Davey Resources for an inventory. The second year has been completed. Tree Planting, early tree maintenance, hazard reduction, management programs, compiling an inventory of the tree asset, volunteerism. Knowledgeable Staff August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 40 - The strengths include support for the Richmond Tree Stewards, neighborhood replanting projects. Uses of canopy map to set priorities Q2: What do you think are the greatest WEAKNESSES of the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what is NOT working well, what would you most like to see changed?) - - - - The City of Richmond is currently understaffed with only two arborists covering the entire city. This causes major delays in maintenance and tasks. A complete urban forest assessment in the City and strategic plan based on that assessment. Focusing on habitat hot beds and environmental hotspots including slopes, water bodies, and green corridors. Lack of resources. Planting 2,000 trees per year (a goal) without watering capability and a maintenance plan – beyond volunteers – is not a formula for long-term success. Having 2 or 3 arborists responsible for that number of plantings also creates a tremendous drain on their time. People should not be allowed to plant unless the City Arborists know and approve. If they plant, then they must be responsible for maintenance. There is a grove of inferior trees in Byrd Park, planted too close together, without the knowledge of the City Arborists. And no one is designated to maintain those trees. Give the City Arborists more control. Give us more City Arborists and more Tree Stewards. If the city department had more staff, it could more effectively care for deteriorating trees. Many street trees are partially dead or dying, and it would be ideal to manage them before they begin to drop branches. Need more people to do maintenance. That most of the trainees seem to quit or not be very involved in taking care of the city trees but I guess that is always an issue. I don’t think the volunteer requirements are overly rigorous that people can’t help in the pruning and maintenance. I wish there was more opportunity for weekly maintenance since weekend are not always available. Lack of a tree ordinance. No after-care strategy (water) whatsoever, resulting in high mortality of newly planted trees. Lack of planning. Some areas of the city are more attended and well cared for than others. For example, the street trees in the east end of the city, for example Mechanicsville Tpke and Oliver Hill Way are practically neglected, while trees in the fan are pruned and watered regularly. Lack of cooperation between city department/agencies. Not having a city forester to set policy, to advocate for the urban forestry division, and to review – or direct the reviewing – of plans for new construction, major renovations, and so on. No city legal advocacy on behalf of trees (no violations defined, no fines in place, nothing to enforce). Lack of certified municipal arborists – two is not enough. Urban forestry is not a priority to city government (lack of funding for urban forestry). No public awareness and no vision to change that via public outreach and education. Not enough incentives for citizens to plant or care for trees. Stupid rules about minimum size requirements for city tree plantings. Ability to provide maintenance to newly planted materials. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 41 - - - - - Although the city plants many trees it does not seem like there are plans in place for their aftercare, watering, pruning, mulching, weeding. I feel that city government does not support efforts to create and maintain a healthy urban forest. I am concerned about the age of the tree population not being varied enough. There seem to be monocultures planted and no thought to the right plant in the right place, i.e., planting tall trees under power lines. What is the city’s policy on construction protection, vandalism fines, etc. Outside of those who work with trees, I feel the local government is not as supportive for urban forest. I see many tree plantings but it seems that once they are planted there is no thought for their after care and there is no thought for the right tree in the right place. Lack of an up-to-date tree ordinance and policy has become a chicken-and-egg issue. The policy draft is in limbo and the Commission members are dispirited. City park maintenance is appalling in many areas, a challenging environment for trees (vines, poor care generally) and a hotbed of invasive ailanthus infestations. The city is failing its responsibilities for “end of life” care for street trees. Many dead or failing trees are not removed, eroding public support for trees by creating dangerous and unsightly situations. Lack of cooperation between city departments and too much “red tape”. Recent cut in personnel. Other than near James River, a lack of vision of how trees fit into urban infrastructure. Lack of enforcement of root zone protection requirements during construction. Insufficient maintenance of street trees, especially newly planted ones. Be bold. Needs more funding. Set a goal, in five years, every single empty tree well should have a tree in it. If neighbors are unwilling to water them first year a non profit could sponsor it. Knock on doors and get support to water the new trees by having the mayor use his voice to encourage city residents to help the new trees. Proactive tree maintenance of mature trees, staffing levels, resource allocation The person in charge of urban forestry does not have the appropriate background. There is no funded, long term plan for managing the urban forest The greatest weakness is the lack of a qualified urban forest manager to oversee the division. We need an arborist in charge who can advocate and manage the program. The continued emphasis on removing living trees and doing absolutely no maintenance will continue to degrade our urban forest canopy. The program needs adequate funding to do its job so the Mayor needs to step up and fund it. Not enough staff to address aging trees Not enough funds to ensure adequate tree replacement considering the age of the city’s current canopy Not large enough or enough tree wells in downtown to support robust downtown canopy Really poor website related to city tree programs – little information there Two arborists cannot do the job. The vacant arborist position needs to be filled. Also they need additional support such as work crews who are property supervised. City officials apparently do not understand the importance of green infrastructure Support from the city is needed. The city only pays lip service to the urban forest. The Urban Forestry Commission has tried for several years now to revise the municipal tree policy and have been unable to make progress due to lack of communication and needed input from city officials. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 42 Q3: What do you think are the greatest OPPORTUNITIES for the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what should be done to support success?) - - I believe the city needs to fill the remaining arborist position and look into hiring additional help for the arborists crews. Acknowledgement of those who put in over the required hours? Should there be assigned teams at certain periods? Increase citizen involvement through volunteer efforts. Increase funding from the city or secure a corporate sponsor. After developing a complete urban forest assessment, work with area non-profits to implement the plan. Education of the public is important. So often newly planted trees are neglected by residents, who could so easily keep them watered during their early life, especially during the hot dry Richmond summers. Restore the third arborist! An alliance of professional and volunteer forces. Educate the community about the importance of using native trees & how to care for them. Encourage the community to acknowledge the importance of and embrace mass plantings of single species. Planting the right tree in the right place. Trees need width, depth, and height to grow. We should be planting only small trees in the spaces between sidewalks and streets. Education is key. There needs to be education throughout the different government departments as well as keeping citizens informed. Continuing to partner with volunteer groups is a great way to educate as well as get work done. Shrinking budgets are everywhere. Volunteers and sponsors can help ease the budget burden. They are also a way to spread the word about the urban forest and why we need a healthy one. A forestry professional is urgently needed to direct the Urban Forestry Department and advocate for the urban forest in the city administration. Richmond needs a municipal tree ordinance now. There must be legally enforceable policies in place to protect this resource, and we need to at least triple the present number of Certified Municipal Arborists. The money invested in the Davey Resources inventory may finally get some people’s attention and result in an effort to create a comprehensive management plan. Recognition of the accomplishments of the program and the benefits of the urban forest It needs funding, a qualified trained urban forest manager, and a maintenance program that could also be a training program for unemployed folks in the City of Richmond. Tons of empty tree wells begging for trees. It is understandable that arborists time is consumed with downed trees and scheduling removal but time must be spent on adding more. The ratio of new trees to those removed should be quadrupled. The city’s Urban Forestry Commission needs to be publicized so the population knows what is going on with the city’s urban forest. At present, the department works on a reactionary basis, putting out fires, no pun intended. The people there now have the desire to do a good job, but it is not possible under the current situation. Leadership with an arborist background is a must as well as someone who has the organizational skills to run the department efficiently. Partners with nonprofits to identify sites needing trees and provide technical assistance to make sure plantings are done right August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 43 - Though I believe the department is understaffed, I do not propose hiring many more people. A small increase in workforce would suffice if the department were well organized. More public education regarding tree benefits, care, etc. Exciting that Arbor Day will now be celebrated in Richmond in the fall. That’s a big opportunity to teach people that fall is great for planting. Integration of green spaces as part of infrastructure in new developments in the city. Q4: What do you think are the greatest THREATS to the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what current or emerging issues need to be addressed?) - - - Lack of funding. Lack of education to the public. If the public does not understand how they can help the 2000 newly planted trees that go in every year, a distaste for trees will grow due to numerous dead trees. I also believe climate change will affect our city trees. Again, educating the public on the benefit of trees in combating the heat island effect is key. Budget, lack of support by city leadership. Political attitudes, lack of public awareness/engagement. City politics, and administration bent on creating a legacy with major development projects and lip service to “being green”. There continue to be infestations that damage even healthy trees. Some of these are organisms that are inadvertently introduced into the USA. Cuts in funding and city personnel. There needs to be greater support for the arborists. Monocultures are an issue especially with threats of invasive pests. Not enough staff/volunteers to take care of so many trees esp. during a drought. People not being aware of how important the Tree Stewards are. Apathy. Natural disasters that divert funding New tree pests and diseases. Lack of political support and funding. Collaboration with all potential partners. Lack of political support from mayor. Needs to be made an economic development and stormwater issue. Nobody wants to move to an area/locate a business in a place this hot unless there is shade. Bottom line. Declining resources, conflicting interests The city must balance its investment in new trees with a commitment to their lifelong care and eventual removal. Otherwise, residents will not support or love our trees. Apathy, lack of funding, ignorance about the economic and health benefits of trees. Obviously more violent storms that are becoming part of our environment are a challenge. Disregard of the urban forest. The notion that we can keep removing the urban forest without any negative consequences. Also, the city does not follow ISA best management practices for installation of new trees and for pruning, and in construction sites. We have 2 very well qualified and dedicated arborists. In the current situation we may lose them and with that, their expertise and working knowledge of this city. A robust maintenance program, enforcement of the tree ordinance with regard to any construction are old issues that have never been addressed. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 44 - Funding is an issue for everyone and I fear that this department will not be a priority since the pay-off is long term. Q5: If you could do ONE BIG THING to improve the city's urban forestry programs, what would it be? - - - Plant more trees with the proper planting techniques knowing there is enough funding and manpower to care for them. Increase the budget. Education of the general public. Provide more financial support, more resources, and more recognition. Ensure all areas of the city receive equal resources in terms of plantings, watering & maintenance. Make sure we are taking care of all areas of the city not just the fan. An overall assessment and strategic plan. Hire an urban forestry professional to direct the Urban Forestry division. Increase intensity of tree maintenance and planting in public parks. Provide more staff and contract maintenance dollars Hire more staff and give them more funds for their own work plus mini-grants to community groups to plant and maintain trees Hire a qualified urban forest manager and fund the program Assess, plan for, and deliver routine maintenance work throughout the park and tree landscape. This has been accomplished successfully for many decades, and it’s a mystery why the city leadership can’t deliver any more. To put in place a plan that would outline planting and aftercare, species selection, varying the age of the tree population, policies for construction protection, permits, fines. The plan would also incorporate best management practices for trees and provide design specifications. It would also show the use of alternatives to standard sidewalks, making planting spaces larger. Unite all disparate groups into one with a unified goal. Fill every empty tree well. Analyze which blocks with no trees have adequate width to install more. Find a sponsor for each new tree and do it. There are enough rich generous people in Richmond to make this happen if some grit is applied and the mayor cared. Have the mayor and council and planning commission listen to the urban forestry commission that they set up due to popular demand. Hire a department manager with an appropriate background and experience. Additional Comments: - As a citizen I may not be aware of the politics within the City and the urban forestry department. I feel that the outreach the Stormwater Department has been making to the public through television commercial could be useful. Again, that deals with funding issues. Groups like the Richmond Tree Stewards has done great work in helping plant and protect trees with the arborists guidance. - Let me know what I can do to help. - Take care of what we have, advocate to fund the program, and continue to plant trees that will improve our lives. - Let’s outlaw the sale of English Ivy in the city. We should also eliminate turf grass on all publicly owned property. Plant natives! August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 45 - - The citizens of Richmond are the driving force. They need to be aware of how their urban forest is being managed and how the management could be improved. There are many groups working to improve the urban forest and maybe if they came together as a large voice improvements may come about. Strength in numbers. I think the program has made tremendous progress particularly during lean times and can make more progress with additional resources Thank you for this opportunity Basedupontheinputfromtheexternalsurvey,thereareseveralcommonthemes.Thereis clearrespectandappreciationforthequalityandeffortsofcurrentstaff.Thereisconcern aboutlong-termcapacity(staffingandfundinglevels).Thereisalsoconcernaboutsomeofthe policiesthatimpacttheurbanforestsinRichmond(e.g.,ordinances,enforcement,etc).The urbanforestryassessmentprojectinRichmondfocusedonthefirsttwostepsofthe collaborativeprocess.Theassessmentprocessincludedtheuseofasurveytooltogatheras muchinputaspossiblefromexternalstakeholdersandinterestgroups.Nextstepsinthe processwouldincludeselectingandprioritizingopportunitiesforimprovementinorderto developastrategicplantoaddressthem. SummaryandConclusionsfromSurvey Overall,thereisahighopinionandlevelofsupportfortheurbanforestryprograms. Respondentsgenerallyagreethatthereisaneedtoincreasethecapacityoftheprogramswith morestaff,volunteers,andresources. Opportunitiesforimprovementidentifiedwithintheresultsinclude: - Fillvacantarboristposition(s) - Increasefundingandfinancialresourcesfortheprogram - Strengthenvolunteerprogramsandcollaborationswithdiversepartners - Identifyanddevelopskillsetswithindepartment - Completeinventoryproject - Developcomprehensivestrategicplan ConclusionsandRecommendations Fromtheentiretyoftheurbanforestrymanagementprogramassessmentprocess–including thereviewofdocuments,on-sitevisitsandinterviews,andcompletesurveyresults–the followingsummarytoprogrammaticstrengthsandopportunitiesisprovided. Strengths: - Well-trained,credentialed,professionalstaffandvolunteerpartners Detailedinventoryinformationbeingdevelopedtoprovideassessmentofurban forest Innovationandurbanforestryactivitywithinpartnershipsandprivatesector August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 46 Well-structuredcityprogram–reporting,recordkeeping,tracking,andinventory Opportunities: Completeinventorydevelopmentandleverageresultstoinformresource allocationsandprogramplanning CompleteMasterPlan/ComprehensiveManagementPlan NEXTSTEPS Therearefour“nextsteps”thatRichmondcanundertakeasa“leader”inurbantreeutilization andurbanforestry. 1. Developastrategicplanfortheurbanforestryprogram.Therecommendationsand opportunitiesfromthisreportcanbeusedasabasisfortheplan. 2. Establishastructureformeasuringprogressfortheurbanforestryprogram.This includesclearlydefiningtherolesandresponsibilitiesofstaffmembersaswellasa scheduleofreviewmilestones. 3. Developadirectoryofsmallmills,drykilns,loggers,furnituremakers,etc.,thatoperate intheRichmondmetropolitanarea.Individualsandbusinessesinthisdirectoryshould haveadesiretoworkwithurbantrees.TheCityofRichmondcould“appoint”someone todothistask(orlookforavolunteer).TheCity,however,shouldtaketheleadonthis directory,eveniftheactualworkisaccomplishedbyathird-party(internorwork-study studentfromalocalcollege,tree-relatedvolunteer,governmentalemployeefromthe DOForotherstateagency,etc.).TheimportantstepisfortheCityto“gettheball rolling.” 4. Holdregularmeetingsofstakeholdersinvolvedwithurbantreeutilization.These meetingsshouldincludeareaarborists,urbanforesters,smallsawmillanddryer operators,loggers,woodyardowners,LCIDoperators,stateregulators,municipal managers,smallwood-basedbusinessowners,andsoforth.Ideally,themeetingswould beheldata“neutral”locationtoencouragemaximumparticipation. Conclusions TheCityofRichmondhasastronghistoryandwellestablishedurbanforestryprogram.The privatetreecareindustryinRichmondalsoprovidescapacitytosupportahealthyurbanforest. ThefullpotentialoftheCity’surbanforestryprogramiscurrentlylimitedbycapacityconcerns. Toimprovetheprogram,itislikelynecessarytoincreasethenumberofarboriststoalevelthat issufficienttomaintainandcarefortheextensiveurbanforest,especiallywhereprivatetree careservicesarenotareasonablealternative. TheRichmondmetropolitanareaishometoover1.2millionpeople,andgrowing.Eastcentral Virginia(whichincludesthecapitalcityofRichmond)supportsastrongforestryandforest August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 47 productsindustry.Historicpreservationandrenovationareimportantbusinessesinthe Richmondarea,dueinparttotheproximityofWilliamsburg. Richmond,andthesurroundingarea,ishometo“undertheradar”firmscurrentlyutilizing urbantreesbeyondthetraditionalproductsofmulchandfirewood.Evidenceofanemerging urbantreebusinessclustercanbefoundintheprivatesector,butaleaderisneededtomove themomentumforward.Anurbantreeutilizationleadercanmobilizebothprivateandpublic sectorstocollaborateonissuesthatimpactbothgroups.Aleadercouldalsoprovidethespark foramuch-neededfeasibilityanalysisinRichmondthatestimatestreeremovalsandpotential products. PartIV. CaseStudy HypotheticalTreeService(HTS) AsuccessfultreeservicefirmthatutilizesurbantreesintheRichmondareamustovercome manyofthebarriersorissuesnotedearlierinthisreportsuchasstoragespace,logistics, transportation,hardwareintrees,etc.Thiscasestudywillfocusonahypotheticaltreeservice firmthatdevelopedinterventionstrategiesorsolutionstomanyofthecommonissuesfacedby Richmondareatreeservicecompanies.Thehypotheticaltreeservicefirminthiscasestudywill bereferredtoasHTS. HTShasamplespaceattheirplaceofbusinesstostorelogsandtreeparts.Treetops,pruning material,branches,brush,etc.arechippedon-siteandeitherdeliveredtoamulchproducer,or solddirectlytothepublic.SinceHTShasspaceattheirheadquarters,somemulchisstockpiled, andsoldatalaterdate. LogssuitableforsawingaredeliveredtoheadquartersandsawnonaHTSthin-kerfportable bandmill.Eachlogisscreenedformetal(hand-heldmetaldetector)andotherforeignobjects, andattemptsaremadetocut-outorsawaroundpotentiallyhazardoussitesonthelog. However,sincebladescostaround$30(andrepairisless),theeconomichardshipisslight whendamagingablade.Also,HTShasconvertedatractortrailerintoadehumidificationdry kiln.ThispracticehasenabledHTStosellkilndriedlumberdirectlytothepublic. Over50percentofHTStreeremovals(treebole),accordingtotheirleadarborist,canbe convertedintovalue-addedproducts.Sincethesetreesneedtobetruckedoff-siteregardlessof theirfinaldestination,HTShasdecidedtotransportthereclaimablelogstotheirheadquarters. Thisreducesthecostofbothtransportationanddisposal. Inadditiontosawinglogs,anddryinglumberattheirheadquarters,HTShasdevelopedclose tieswithalocalfurnituremaker.OneoftheservicesHTSprovidestotheircustomers,isa August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 48 product(table,chair,bench,etc.)fashionedfromatreethatoncestoodbytheirclient’shouse orplaceofbusiness.Aftertreeremoval,HTSmillsthelog(s)attheirheadquartersanddriesthe lumberbeforeitispickedupbythecraftsmanandmadeintoabeautifulproduct.Thisprocess –fromlogtofinishedproduct–hascreatedanicheforHTS,enablingthemtoofferaserviceto theirclientsbeyondthetypicalservicesprovidedbyatreeservicefirm. ThebusinessmodelofHTShaseliminatedtheneedto“callaround”tofindsomeone,or somewhere,to(1)droplogsand/ortreeparts,(2)sawlogs,(3)drylumber,and(4)make products. HTShasthephilosophythat“woodisgood”andtreesshouldbereclaimedfortheirhighestand bestuse.Sometimes,mulchorfirewood,isthehighestand/orbestuseforurbantrees. However,manyHTSclientswantadifferentfateforthetreeintheirbackyard.HTSfillsthisvoid inthetreecareindustrybyofferingaserviceaboveandbeyondtreeremoval,treepruning, stumpgrinding,andthelike.Atthesametime,manyoftheeconomicburdensshoulderedby thetypicaltreecarefirmhavebeenconvertedtoeithercost-reductionbyHTS,orintoaprofit center. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 49 Appendix1.ExternalSurvey Thank you for taking time to provide feedback to this Urban Forestry Assessment. This assessment includes 5 questions that address the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to the city's urban forestry programs. The questionnaire may take up to 15 minutes to complete. If you would prefer to receive the questions in another format or if you would like to provide input via a phone interview, please contact Dovetail Partners at 612-333-0430 or [email protected] Q1: What do you think are the greatest STRENGTHS of the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what is working well, what are you most appreciative of, what would you like to see continue?) Q2: What do you think are the greatest WEAKNESSES of the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what is NOT working well, what would you most like to see changed?) Q3: What do you think are the greatest OPPORTUNITIES for the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what should be done to support success?) Q4: What do you think are the greatest THREATS to the city's urban forestry programs? (e.g., what current or emerging issues need to be addressed?) Q5: If you could do ONE BIG THING to improve the city's urban forestry programs, what would it be? Demographic Information Q22: What is your gender? Q23: What is your age? Q24: Do you work in forestry, forest products, or a related natural resource field? Q25: What is your relationship with the city's urban forestry programs? (Select all that apply) Current or past city staff or employee Current or past city contractor Member of Citizen advisory group City resident Business owner Elected official Other (please specify) August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 50 References Alig,R.,Stewart,S.,Wear,D.,Stein,S.,andNowak.D.2010.ConversionsofForestLand:Trends, Determinants,Projections,andPolicyConsiderations.InPyeetal.,eds.Advancesinthreat assessmentandtheirapplicationtoforestandrangelandmanagement.Gen.Tech.Rpt.PNWGTR-802.Portland,OR:U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestService,PacificNorthwestand SouthernResearchStations:26pp. http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/gtr802/Vol1/pnw_gtr802vol1_alig.pdf AmericanForests.2002.UrbanEcosystemAnalysis:Roanoke,Virginia.8pp.AccessedApril21, 2015atwww.rvarc.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/UrbanEcosystemRoanoke.pdf. Araman,P.,Pryor,L.,Lowles,D.,andBuehlmann,U.2006.RecyclingDiscardedPalletParts into"Green"FlooringinNorthCarolina.PresentedattheSmallWood2006Conference, Richmond,Virginia,May16-18. Bratkovich,S.,Bowyer,J.,Fernholz,K.,andLindburg,A.2008.UrbanTreeUtilizationandWhyIt Matters.DovetailPartners,Inc.January23. (http://dovetailinc.org/files/DovetailUrban0108ig.pdf). Ewing,R.,andHamidi,S.2014.MeasuringSprawl2014.April,51pp.AccessedDecember31, 2014atwww.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/measuring-sprawl-2014.pdf. MacFarlane,D.W.2009.PotentialavailabilityofurbanwoodbiomassinMichigan:Implications forenergyproduction,carbonsequestrationandsustainableforestmanagementintheU.S.A. BiomassBioenergy,33,628-634.doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2008.10.004. MacFarlane,D.W.2007.Quantifyingurbansawtimberabundanceandqualityinsoutheastern LowerMichigan,U.S.AboricultureandUrbanForestry,33(4):253-263.AccessedApril23,2015 at:http://auf.isa-arbor.com/articles.asp?JournalID=1&VolumeID=33&IssueID=4. Nowak,D.,andWalton,J.2005.ProjectedUrbanGrowth(2000–2050)andItsEstimated ImpactontheU.S.ForestResource.JournalofForestry,103(8):383-389. http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/newtown_square/publications/other_publishers/OCR/ne_2005_nowa k001.pdf. Nowak,D.,Noble,M.,Sisinni,S.,andDwyer,J.2001.AssessingtheU.S.UrbanForestResource. JournalofForestry,99(3):37-42. Sherrill,S.2003.HarvestingUrbanTimber.LindenPublishing,Fresno,CA.224pp. Terando,A.,Costanza,J.,Belyea,C.,Dunn,R.,McKerrow,A.,andCollazo,J.2014.TheSouthern Megalopolis:UsingthePasttoPredicttheFutureofUrbanSprawlintheSoutheastU.S.PLoS ONE9(7):e102261.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0102261.Availableat: August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 51 http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0102261 UFORE.2010.I-TreeEcosystemAnalysis:FairfaxCounty.AccessedApril21,2015at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes/environmental/ffcounty_ecoreport.pdf. VirginiaDepartmentofForestry.2010.VirginiaStatewideAssessmentofForestResources.129 pp.Charlottesville,Virginia.AccessedApril21,2015atwww.dof.virginia.gov/print/aboutus/2010State-Assessment.pdf. VirginiaTechDepartmentofForestResources&EnvironmentalConservation.2010.StreetTree AssessmentandStewardshipReport:Radford,Virginia.25pp.AccessedApril21,2015at https://www.itreetools.org/resources/reports.php. Wiseman,E.2010.VirginiaStreetTreeAssessmentProject:AnApplicationofi-TreeStreets. AccessedApril21,2015athttp://urbanforestry.frec.vt.edu/STREETS/index.html. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 52 (backcover) August2015 Richmond,Virginia:AnAssessmentofMunicipalTreeUtilizationandtheUrbanForestryProgram DovetailPartners 528HennepinAve,Suite703 Minneapolis,MN55403 ProjectcompletedwithsupportprovidedfromtheU.S.ForestService,SouthernRegionandassistance fromtheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry.SpecialthanksalsototheCityofRichmond. InaccordancewithFederallawandU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturepolicy,thisinstitutionisprohibited fromdiscriminatingonthebasisofrace,color,nationalorigin,sex,age,ordisability.(Notallprohibited basesapplytoallprograms.) Tofileacomplaintofdiscrimination,writeUSDA,Director,OfficeofCivilRights,Room326-W, WhittenBuilding,1400IndependenceAvenue,SW,Washington,DC20250-9410orcall(202)720-5964 (voiceandTDD).USDAisanequalopportunityproviderandemployer. August2015UrbanForestryAssessment–Richmond,VA 53