Conway City tree board introduces Bradford-pear replacement program, OKs urban-canopy study and readies Arbor Day plans

Conway City Tree Board members introduced a program to help residents remove Bradford-pear trees and receive replacement trees at the board’s annual Arbor Day giveaway, approved posting a request for qualifications (RFQ) for an urban forest management study focused initially on disadvantaged neighborhoods, and continued organizing the board’s November Arbor Day event.

The board described the Bradford-pear program as an “introduction” offering: residents who remove a Bradford pear would submit two photos — one before removal (preferably in bloom) and one after — and receive a replacement tree at the board’s Arbor Day event, which board members said is held on the first Saturday in November. The board said it usually orders several species for the giveaway and will offer residents a choice of varieties when possible.

Board members said they will post an RFQ for an urban forest management plan that will map the city’s canopy, identify strengths and weaknesses and target improvements. The RFQ will be posted to the city’s usual portals and also sent to firms the board knows conduct similar work. The board said funding for the study is available at present and that the initial study area will be disadvantaged neighborhoods; they may expand the study to the entire city after the initial analysis.

Planning for Arbor Day continues. Board members reviewed a planning sheet that lists arrival times, program elements and exhibitor responsibilities from last year. They discussed outreach steps — contacting potential exhibitors and sponsors, arranging music and food sponsorships, and local media spots including a short commercial and the pre-recorded “Here and There” segment — and said they will ask members to divide responsibilities once the group reconvenes in August. The board noted prior successes with spring tree giveaways and said low volunteer response can constrain some activities such as photo contests.

On funding and logistics, members said the city council will consider a corporate donation at its next meeting; if approved, those funds would be allocated to the tree board. The board reminded members that any donation offers must be routed through Conway City Hall and approved by the city council rather than accepted personally by board members. The group also confirmed it will not hold meetings in June or July and will resume in August to finalize Arbor Day plans.

The meeting included two routine formal actions: a motion to approve the previous meeting minutes, which was seconded and approved, and a motion to adjourn, which carried. No other votes or policy-adoption actions were taken during the session.

The board said additional items — for example outreach to the University of Central Arkansas about a planned birding/nature program and follow-up on the RFQ schedule — will be resolved in the coming weeks. Members asked that anyone planning to donate contact city hall to ensure proper processing and placement on the city council agenda.