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Sunset Beach Tree Board weighs professional inventory; grant could offset part of estimated $10,000 cost
Summary
Board members reviewed state urban forestry materials and consultant options, learned an inventory may cost about $10,000 with possible grant support of roughly $5,000, and agreed to consult Oak Island’s approach and invite informational presentations from inventory vendors.
The Town of Sunset Beach Tree Board debated options for conducting a municipal tree inventory at its May 20 meeting and discussed grant opportunities to offset the expense.
Members reviewed materials delivered by a consultant (Justin) and noted the state’s urban and community forestry grant programs require specific information and often the participation of a professional arborist. Susan Willlets summarized the guidance Justin shared and said an inventory could be complex and require equipment, software and trained personnel to ensure consistent, usable data.
Justin and members discussed three potential consultants (Justin’s email referenced Davy Resource Group and two others). Justin estimated an inventory could cost about $10,000; he said a grant could possibly provide up to roughly $5,000. Members agreed the board should invite consultants to provide informational presentations (not solicitations) and attend Oak Island’s June 4 meeting to see how that neighboring jurisdiction implemented its inventory — Oak Island reportedly hired a professional arborist to complete the work.
Board members also discussed exploring intern support from nearby colleges but noted local community-college programs may not have forestry majors. The board will review the state grant application materials (applications due in January) and prepare information to determine scope and estimated costs before pursuing consultant engagement.
Next steps: board members will attend Oak Island’s June 4 meeting, request informational briefings from inventory vendors, and gather the documents needed for a grant application due the following January.
