EXTENSION REPORT

Alabama Communities Working to Regreen Hurricane Ravaged Urban Forests

The past two years are a time that people along the Gulf Coast will not soon forget.  The catastrophic damaged reeked by a series of hurricanes have forced communities into a seemingly continuous cycle of devastation followed by long months of recuperation .  While building and other infrastructure rise from this devastation our trees and urban forests, or lack there of, in many areas continue to serve as a reminder of these hurricanes.  

In response to this need for remediating and establishing a new urban forest Congress authorized $1,312,000 for “Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Disaster Assistance”.  Auburn University, through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, has contracted with the USDA Forest Service to manage what is now called “The Hurricane Ivan Financial Assistance Program”. 

This measure, now being implemented in communities across the State, provides disaster assistance to Alabama’s urban forests to mitigate the effect of recent hurricanes and other weather-related events to community governments, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions.  The program began to receive proposals in the middle of September, 2005 and reopened three times to allocate all available funds.  Applicants applied for tree replacement, tree remediation (pruning), and inventories and assessments projects ranging in size from $2,900 to $84,400. 

“Our community landscape was devastated,” said Emily Mims with Chamber of Commerce in Atmore, Alabama, “first by Ivan in September of 2004 and then, Dennis in July of 2005, an estimated 70% of the old growth trees in the community were lost. Our neighborhoods and community lost its sense of identity. With funding from the Hurricane Ivan Financial Assistance Program we are now replacing 500 trees in the community. The positive impact of this project is already being seen as momentum grows to replace even more trees.  This is a great use of our federal dollars”

Our urban forests are some of our most precious resources in the urban landscape.  They provide a variety of benefits beyond aesthetic beauty and shaded parking spots.  Among the many benefits provided by urban trees are aesthetics, increased air quality, storm water management, lower heat index, and visual and sound barriers. 

Urban forests have been associated with healthier environments where crime rates are lower and the quality of life higher.  Trees often increase property values and encourage community interaction as pedestrians walk shaded streets for exercise, shopping, and recreation.  Many communities, like the City of Atmore, recognizing these benefits and wishing to return their community to its former beauty, took advantage of the “Hurricane Ivan Financial Assistance Program”. 

A total of 53 applications were approved for tree replacement, tree remediation (tree pruning), and urban forests assessments and inventories projects in the past 4 months.  To date the Alabama Cooperative Extension System has allocated an estimated $980,000  of Federal funds to communities throughout Alabama ranging from Decatur to Dauphin Island.  "That's what makes this such a great program," said Neil Letson, of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.  "It gives Alabama's coastal communities a helping hand as they restore their urban forests."

With the help of this program an estimated 7,000 trees will be planted between January 2006 to January 2007 in 35 communities across the State.  The success of this project is attributed not only to the availability of Federal funds and the contributions of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, but to the initiatives of community members driving their organizations.  The combinations of their recognition of the importance of urban forests, their dedication, and willingness to implement new programs has allowed for Alabama to begin the process of reestablishing their urban forests after a long period of storm damage.

For additional information, contact Beau Brodbeck at the Baldwin County Extension Office in Bay Minette, Alabama by email at brodbam@auburn.edu or by phone at 937-7176 or 943-5611/928-0860, ext. 2222..

GULF COAST GARDENING SEMINAR

Baldwin County Master Gardeners will host four outstanding Southern garden speakers in a program open to all interested gardeners on Thursday, January 26, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Centennial Hall, Faulkner College, Fairhope, AL campus.

The speakers & their topics are:

 beginning at 9:00: Neil Odenwald, Ph.D landscape architecture and author of several gardening books.  Redesign with Impact – Adding a New Look to a Tired Garden.  Dr. Odenwald will present us with ideas on redesigning a front yard for a welcoming look utilizing the existing mature trees and shrubs already growing there.

Jason Powell, owner/manager of a unique nursery Petals From The Past in Jemison, AL. Favorite Gulf Coast Shrubs – Old and New.  Mr. Powell will tell us about some of the best shrub varieties and cultivars for costal gardening, which are unique to southern gardens and also, about new cultivars that hold great promise for both beauty and weather tolerance.

 John Olive, horticultural plant pathologist at the Ornamental Horticulture Substation, Mobile. What’s Wrong with my Plant?  Mr. Olive will provide valuable guidance on preventing, diagnosing, and when possible, treating diseases that commonly affect our landscape shrubs.

Pat Cobb, Ph.D entomology and professor emeritus from Auburn University.  Control of Insects and Mites in Shrubs.  Dr. Cobb will provide us with information on the best management practices that will help us to control insects that affect our landscape shrubs. 

To make reservation, send a $5 check payable to BCMG to Jane Wright, 13789 Underwood Road, Summerdale, AL 36580. This fee covers morning & afternoon refreshment breaks, but does not include lunch. If you require more information you may contact Linda O’Rear at 625-4437.

Farm Day 2006

Farm Day will be held at the Atmore Lions Community Center with registration beginning at 8:00 a.m. on January 19th.

Email address: brodbam@auburn.edu
Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.