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Alliance reports 5,300 native trees distributed this season; group pushes downzoning advocacy and local partnerships
Summary
Isabelle Shepard of the Alliance for Capefare Trees told commissioners the group distributed 5,300 native trees (27 species), trained 26 stewards, logged 1,358 volunteer hours and will focus advocacy on downzoning resolutions and local outreach rather than a statewide campaign.
Isabelle Shepard of the Alliance for Capefare Trees briefed the commission on a busy planting season and the group's advocacy plans. Shepard said the alliance distributed 5,300 native trees this season across 27 species, trained 26 tree stewards, planted 300 trees directly (including street trees and school plantings) and logged 1,358 volunteer hours.
Shepard described partnerships with the city through a formal contract and listed planting sites including Glow Academy, DC Virgo Preparatory Academy, Dreams of Wilmington and Olsen Park; the alliance also planted 15 trees outside the city in Castle Hayne at a Habitat for Humanity site. Shepard said the alliance is pursuing advocacy on downzoning authority and has developed a sample local resolution and outreach templates for municipalities to use when engaging state and local elected officials.
The commission and staff discussed logistics for community events: the alliance will participate in a monthly mulch giveaway and coordinate a public meeting for a nearby drainage project; staff said communications will publicize events and the city will provide links for grant support where appropriate.
Shepard said the group is exploring a cost-share model for an arborist presentation and hopes to secure private matching funds to buy a watering truck; she urged local-focused resolutions and examples to advance downzoning authority rather than a single statewide campaign.
No commission action was taken; Shepard asked that the alliance be included in city outreach for the Hooker Hinton and similar projects to channel resident concerns.
