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Board hears canopy assessment showing slight decline, outlines grant-funded plantings and Nov. 9 volunteer event
Summary
Board members discussed a canopy assessment suggesting a roughly 1–2% decline since 2011 and reviewed planned plantings funded by Salt Waste District and grants; they also set preliminary plans for a Nov. 9 fall planting celebration and volunteer training.
Members of the Evansville City Tree Advisory Board said Aug. 1 that a recent canopy assessment shows the city has slightly less tree canopy than in 2011, with one staff member estimating a loss of “1 or 2%.” The board asked staff to return with the exact numbers at the next meeting.
Speaker 1 (urban forestry staff) listed planned planting sites that will use Salt Waste District funds and other grants: plantings at the state hospital, the Gabel and Deaconess soccer and sports facilities, Hillcrest Youth Services campus (county property), and neighborhood plantings in Westwood Woods, Gustown and Teepee Park. Staff pledged to provide maps and site plans to the board before trees are planted.
The board spent significant time on logistics for a fall planting celebration tentatively set for Nov. 9. Members emphasized recruiting and training volunteer team leaders, pre‑digging holes where possible, coordinating with the mayor’s office for a proclamation and conducting outreach to youth groups such as 4‑H or FFA. Speaker 4 urged that each planting site have an experienced team leader so trees are installed correctly and survive beyond the first year.
Separately, the board confirmed two remaining tree-pruner licensing seminars this year, on Aug. 8 and Nov. 7 at the CK Newsome Center, and announced that the Department of Urban Forestry will staff a booth at the city’s National Night Out event on Aug. 6 to discuss planting, emerald ash borer and grants.
Board members volunteered to lead planting crews and to develop a training plan for captains; staff said they will prepare a volunteer roster and site-preparation plan ahead of the November date.
