SFI Grant Update: Lake Forest Park Discusses Urban Forestry Strategies and Timeline

The Lake Forest Park Tree Board is gearing up to advance its sustainable forestry initiatives, with a focus on the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) grant. During the recent meeting, board members discussed the urgency of moving forward with the grant application, which has a deadline set for the end of the year but is being expedited due to pressure from the U.S. Forest Service.

The SFI grant, valued at approximately $68,000, aims to assess how well Lake Forest Park meets various standards for sustainable urban forestry. This includes evaluating climate impact and community engagement. The board emphasized the importance of hiring a consultant to conduct a thorough assessment of city-owned trees, particularly in parks and planting strips, as current records are lacking.

Board members expressed the need to finalize decisions on optional work included in the grant proposal, which could enhance urban forestry management and tree inventory efforts. They plan to meet with key stakeholders, including Mark Hoffman and Mike Martini, to discuss next steps and ensure timely progress.

In addition to the SFI grant, the board is also working with the King Conservation District (KCD) on a canopy assessment funded by existing KCD resources. A contract must be finalized before the KCD board can approve the release of funds, with a meeting scheduled for August 12 to expedite this process.

The Tree Board is committed to enhancing the city’s urban forestry management and is actively seeking to meet the necessary deadlines to secure funding and support for these critical initiatives.