2001

treesforyou.org: The MCCFC received a special grant for $15,000 from DNR Urban Forestry to develop a website to promote urban forestry and tree care in the Mid-Columbia region.  The council worked to develop and promote the site, which includes information on tree selection, tree planting and care, the Growing with Trees curriculum and the “Big Tree Book” developed with other grant funds, and information about the MCCFC.

Website Publicity: As part of the treesforyou.org grant, a portable display showing the history of urban forestry in the Tri-Cities was developed.  To publicize the website, the MCCFC contacted local Rotary and Kiwanis clubs and made themselves available for presentations about the website and the MCCFC to their members.

Tree Grants: Tree grants of $200 were made available to all Oak partners for Arbor Day/Earth Day plantings.

Arbor Day: Doug Sutherland, Commissioner of Public Lands, was the guest of honor for the Tri-Cities Arbor Day celebration.  Commissioner Sutherland and Representatives Shirley Hankins and Gerome Delvin were in attendance.  As part of the celebration 12 trees were planted in Columbia Park and Commissioner Sutherland talked about the importance of Arbor Day and trees in our communities.  Kennewick became a Tree City USA. After the celebration, MCCFC members and community representatives met with Sutherland and the DNR Urban Forestry personnel to talk about the value of the urban forestry grants to our communities. In a separate celebration, 7 trees were planted in the Columbia Point Marina Park.

Earth Day: The MCCFC set up an exhibit at the City of Richland’s Earth Day celebration

Tree City USA: We served as the official “Tree Board” for Tree City USA distinctions for the City of Kennewick and the The City of Richland.

Tree Grants: Trees were offered to the Oak partners in celebration of Community Forestry Month in October. 

Locust Borer: Consultations were provided to outlying communities in Franklin counties with heavy locust borer infestations. 

2002

Arbor Day Poster Contest: The MCCFC promoted local participation in the national Arbor Day Poster Contest, sponsored in Washington by DNR.  The council distributed information, judged the posters, and offered awards to the local winners.  Our local winner won the state contest!

Carol Woodruff Memorial Tree: A pine tree was planted in Howard Amon Park in memory of Carol Woodruff, MCCFC and Richland Park Board member. 

Arbor Day: The Arbor Day celebration was held in the Demonstration Garden in Kennewick’s Grange Park, where four dogwood trees were planted, one donated by the council.  The awards to the Arbor Day Poster winner and her teacher were made.  As part of Arbor Day, the council donated two other trees for planting in Volunteer Park in Pasco.  Eighty trees were planted in Sutch Park in Richland with MCCFC members present to help with planting.

Aerial Photos: The MCCFC arranged for aerial photos for an exhibit to show the development of our local urban “forest” over the years.

Washington Community Forestry Council: The MCCFC hosted the WCFC’s October meeting in Prosser.  To observe and celebrate Community Forestry Month, the MCCFC donated and helped plant a pine tree to be planted in Prosser’s Crawford Park.  A sweetgum tree was also planted next to the Prosser library. 

treesforyou.org: The council continues to support the website and promote it’s availability to local residents.

Tree City USA: MCCFC continues to serve as the official “Tree Board” for Tree City USA distinctions for the City of Kennewick and the City of Richland.  The council is trying to encourage other cities in the region to become Tree Cities USA. Being a Tree City USA helps present the kind of image that most citizens want to have for the place they live or conduct business. The Tree City USA signs at community entrances tell visitors that here is a community that cares about its environment. They are also an indication to prospective businesses that the quality of life may be better here.

Consultation Services: Members of the council were consulted regarding their expertise for the following projects in the Mid-Columbia region: