[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6241657,"mediaKeyId","3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c","parentId",3254268,"title","Commission plans fall plantings, pursues ODNR urban‑forestry grant and reviews tree‑bank resources","audioSeconds",697,"startMs",1089000,"endMs",1786000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c&start=1089&end=1786","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c/thumbnail_1089000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6241657/Ohio/Commission-plans-fall-plantings-pursues-ODNR-urbanforestry-grant-and-reviews-treebank-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241657-f4499b8585a44ec0973a514a0fe3a6a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775139515&Signature=Q8CogC0ElAHMeG4EvylfIm64~fUZN1V1RSr6rc-4xeZUcIqJOzSO~HzLXd4EQX0X0ZKdy8ar0fT0OmYVsdztw6f4me7fAGw-JV0TPLA5eeSX~JNeTgsUUc7PaZbnOUsKjjaHYrNDiJgnMDJy46-82W-f61MKRQspzeecp6fBXM5hKKg-fGxQ4xcLfculZrxfixfjOS6Ogg2syZJYJPotD7Of~cRuIsF6cefpg~ONoYdIaz98n0wfcHJg~RINT1dNjIuRzObUA1O2a6MNGipWNjsoSYaixVaHQBrv1RsFQewvgvH6emJHjoi5I1DNgLBtvGCfS2heSfyFBKMLUOeMBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Athens OH","date","2025-05-09T10:32:56Z","article","The Athens Shade Tree Commission outlined several near‑term program priorities at its May 8 meeting: planning a fall tree‑planting event, applying for an Ohio Department of Natural Resources urban forestry grant, and reviewing the city tree bank and recent BioBlitz results.

Commission members proposed scheduling the planting in the fall — historically the city has done plantings in late October or the first Saturday in November — and settled on planning for the second Saturday in November to avoid overlapping a local Uptown Halloween event. A planting plan discussed included roughly 20 trees around a new outdoor gym, along a bike path near the new firehouse, and in a riverside patch of open space.

Commission member Gene said the commission intends to apply for the second round of ODNR urban forestry funding and is “planning to apply for around a hundred thousand dollars in funding to fund a comprehensive kind of pilot urban forestry program here in the city.” Gene said partners are engaged and the commission will seek the city administration and city council’s support.

Commissioners also reviewed the city’s tree bank: the chair reported a recent estimate of about 300 trees available and an equivalent per‑tree value of roughly $230, which could be used for saplings or reallocated to removals, pruning and maintenance. The commission discussed stretching tree‑bank resources beyond saplings to include maintenance work.

Separately, the commission reported on a BioBlitz held in the previous month that produced almost 300 iNaturalist observations; those submissions will be integrated into the commission’s GIS inventory when staff time permits.

Action/direction: commissioners agreed to set a planning date for the fall planting, pursue ODNR grant partners and city support, and follow up with the auditor for a tree‑bank accounting. A backyard planting request on Harris Drive was noted and the commission agreed to follow up with the resident.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Athens Shade Tree Commission - May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a possible fall planting in November, an ODNR urban forestry grant application for about $100,000, the tree bank balance (approximately 300 trees valued at about $230 each) and recent BioBlitz data with nearly 300 iNaturalist submissions.","taxTitle","Athens Shade Tree Commission , Athens , Athens County, Ohio","taxId",70982,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241661,"Commission explores incentives, outreach to remove invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees",279,1244000,1523000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c&start=1244&end=1523","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c/thumbnail_1244000.jpg","/articles/6241661/Ohio/Commission-explores-incentives-outreach-to-remove-invasive-Callery-Bradford-pear-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241661-c3bb4ab68e30beb8044b5619e56357c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775139515&Signature=bfi4EjGgxMyHgvfxrCwkXIo8~g72t2SAuzTRJJHrVr-5fn94kJhby7aja9A339hFQphloHPdpwjQfQH76mNGku0QGeLbpajzHZH0eG-yjL3NDX5fMvilJVP10W-Zxi7D3hRMnC0JPQzNBTaamlA0IoPDpxDRdRT89SWE52qSjGMMkNCQoM63aGZRLEFccRZwns5rrG-9Qsn0Sd4edvcsEKEmj~3bt--itKaUpMriQKTAIII5~3iZcfNhykqXK-u-BY1p8apLVDnwyJBdkKuWm-~VJP1z5vP3TYzE0L4-yIzOfCc3M6Ve2ribb7NGYgL85giZCS28Di9jMbhdn4Panw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens Shade Tree Commission discussed citizen outreach and possible incentives to remove invasive Callery (commonly sold as Bradford) pear trees from city and county properties.

Commissioners described contact from Keith Robinson, identified in the meeting as a local land manager and wildlife‑habitat manager, urging coordinated action to remove Callery pears across the city and county. Commissioners said one model is a Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District program that offers private landowners a cash payment after they remove a Callery pear and replace it with a suitable native tree, rather than supplying trees directly.

Commissioners raised practical questions about funding and jurisdiction — the Soil and Water Conservation District is a county entity while the Shade Tree Commission is a city body — and suggested possible supports such as a city tree bank or partnership to provide match funding. One commissioner recommended public education in spring when the pears are most visible and suggested a workshop on safe removal and a possible library‑style tool kit loan program for invasive removal.

Discussion only: commissioners did not adopt a formal incentive program at the meeting. Direction: commissioners said they would explore contacting the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, investigate tree‑bank funding and consider outreach and education campaigns.","Members discussed a citizen request to organize removal of invasive Callery pear trees, including the possibility of a bounty program modeled on a Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District initiative, outreach and loanable invasive‑removal tool kits.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241666,"Shade Tree Commission seeks meeting with city after planning commission tables ordinance changes",362,682000,1044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c&start=682&end=1044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c/thumbnail_682000.jpg","/articles/6241666/Ohio/Shade-Tree-Commission-seeks-meeting-with-city-after-planning-commission-tables-ordinance-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241666-e5ad05b5649502f09c347e4140a67dae/orig.mp4?Expires=1775139515&Signature=gOTm4Oa16tG58I7fOzo9pRs1-Pltym7KTiSYzb~f9aQJBMyrdakk-mWlkEej6MgpGpbka5p9hGgoFSLLlEi6qaCs3nXM81i0aBppwYhwLI7RNw3XZfKLfVtn~2sEA0Ez6tUENyqoVxC-0gP4a61QXGIjXFtQykXt8xweA-zI08PXxg3Sb5VmLjIZ8AfRS~z7XulCgNfZ29g7K9RGKpKRSsRogGkCSmNDJNSBRFyEF8Bnu6q9MqA-Ei0icMLcCKQxWMxisOhlyqUw4wE8QvNO8khzYDskSf~Et62lhri68i2n0~ttUSF4HFhT4TqHw89LlqtjAFef2OdssNQv6EokKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens Shade Tree Commission said it will request a meeting with city administration and planning staff after the planning commission tabled proposed ordinance changes that would affect the commission’s composition and structure.

Commission members said May 8 that tabling the changes does not end the issue and they want to ensure the commission’s expertise is integrated into any revisions. The commission plans to invite planning commission stakeholders, the administration and regional experts, including Anne Bonner of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, to a meeting to “hash these things out,” a commission member said.

Molly Jo Stanley, a member of the Environment and Sustainability Commission who addressed the meeting as a resident, urged the administration to use local expertise. “Planting trees is really great, but maintaining and protecting our mature trees is is the best thing that we can do, for the health of our urban forest,” Stanley said. She identified Anne Bonner as the regional urban forester from ODNR and recommended the administration consult that office and the Shade Tree Commission on best practices statewide.

Another commenter echoed Stanley’s call for a long‑term urban forest management plan and said she looked forward to a meeting “very soon.” Commission members volunteered to be part of the stakeholder group; the chair said he will send an inclusive email to coordinate schedules.

Discussion only: commissioners emphasized outreach and planning rather than proposing immediate counter amendments. Direction: commissioners agreed to request and organize a stakeholder meeting with administration and planning staff and to invite the regional urban forester and the Environment and Sustainability Commission.","After planning commission action to table proposed code changes that could alter the commission's composition and structure, the Athens Shade Tree Commission vowed to meet with city administration, planning staff and regional experts to protect its role and advise on urban forest policy.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6241671,"Shade Tree Commission approves pollinator garden at 59 and 61 Franklin Avenue",252,475000,727000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c&start=475&end=727","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3254268-e374b90054f177496818100592a7726c/thumbnail_475000.jpg","/articles/6241671/Ohio/Shade-Tree-Commission-approves-pollinator-garden-at-59-and-61-Franklin-Avenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6241671-ecb93b3f166fff9388d32810bf5e11ac/orig.mp4?Expires=1775139515&Signature=GxBCvpKpdThW1gRBuKAbHRhaV7AxPfEpfgEdPLeFCLp01bAQMq0A5BlhXdFvSf93c2Jo7Nb3khcJ5GX22ayRTKN3ppwX7Qj1zbYYYwK358TCAbf2vWqLEaYNrwzTCpFxCk-g49rnHIghIgfMsE6vAgsh-VsQzzWbPkx26976ZphdAbPJawG2QVRF1FrMANvBR2Q7fpZ1bxn0lerQvqsPKxw7c1f1uJVJKYWO1x5xhHJtl3qeRCa4bhBcln3vQyiw6h3vI24zyr2FOI0Z~g8oDN6FZYTtl6MZVPO8YuJqWUlAD~k6Nfodej~ZTU9Yr9w3RgGHBLfMaZkgUEJmGkoT5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Athens Shade Tree Commission approved a pollinator garden application for 59 and 61 Franklin Avenue at its May 8 meeting.

The application, submitted by Karen Rudebaugh, pledges to reduce pesticide use on the property, lists pollinator‑friendly flowers for spring, summer and fall, includes at least one native pollinator species and includes a schematic drawing of the plan. A commission member said the submission “seems perfectly in order” and supported approval.

The commission discussed the ordinance context for the pollinator program. The program currently appears under Title 37 of the city code and staff noted a pending effort to move parts of the program into Title 9; under the present rules the program requires that properties be owner‑occupied and a $25 application fee. Commissioners noted those owner‑occupancy requirements are being reconsidered as part of the code changes.

Action: A motion to approve the application passed by voice vote. The minutes of the meeting were adopted earlier in the session and the meeting adjourned by voice vote.

The commission did not change program fees or the owner‑occupancy requirement during the meeting; members said those details are being addressed separately as part of the code revision process.","The Athens Shade Tree Commission approved a pollinator garden application for 59 and 61 Franklin Avenue, noting the submission met program requirements including reduced pesticide use and a list of pollinator‑friendly species.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission plans fall plantings, pursues ODNR urban‑forestry grant and reviews tree‑bank resources

Commission explores incentives, outreach to remove invasive Callery (Bradford) pear trees

Shade Tree Commission seeks meeting with city after planning commission tables ordinance changes

Shade Tree Commission approves pollinator garden at 59 and 61 Franklin Avenue