News from SUNY Cortland

For more information contact: Dan Catalano, 607-753-2232

SUNY Cortland Students Assist In Urban Forest Report

CORTLAND, NY (05/01/2008; 1054)(readMedia)-- SUNY Cortland Professor Steven Broyles presented “A Report on Cortland’s Urban Forest” to the Cortland City Council on Wednesday, April 16, the same night that the city was recognized as a “Tree City USA.” Research for the report was done by 30 SUNY Cortland students.

The Cortland Tree survey provides basic recommendations on planning and maintaining a healthy, diverse forest that serves as an invaluable natural resource to the community of Cortland.

The students conducted inventories and surveys on Cortland’s urban forest, which includes park and street trees throughout the city. The students determined the species of the tree, its size and height, and location. They evaluated each tree site for possible growth.

Broyles, professor of biological sciences, who is a member of the Landscape and Design Commission in Cortland, volunteered his class to help out with the research. He believes that the students became more knowledgeable about conservation from the experience.

“On top of being involved with a community project and receiving college credit, the students learned how to identify trees and the importance of an urban forest,” said Broyles.

For a community to be recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation, it must meet four standards: organize a recognized commission, enact a tree ordinance, create an annual budget that spends at least $2 per capita on trees, and host an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.

The Tree City USA program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention and national recognition for urban and community forestry.

For more information on the research, contact Broyles at (607) 753-2901 or broyles@cortland.edu. For more information about Tree City USA, visit www.arborday.org.

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