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theleaflet | April 2014 1
theleafletAPRIL 2014
A Season to LearnSee the many ways hard work and education bear fruit.
2 April 2014 | theleaflet
CASEY TREES NEWS IN BRIEF
CASEY TREES NEWS
ARBOR DAY SIGNALS RELEASE OF SIXTH ANNUAL TREE REPORT CARD | Arbor Day,
April 25, will once again be marked with the release
of the annual Casey Trees’ Tree Report Card. The
2013 edition will be the sixth annual release, with each
edition measuring the quantity and quality of the tree
canopy and expansion and sustainability efforts of the
previous year within Washington, D.C. Casey Trees’
Tree Report Card is the only independent tree canopy
assessment of a major U.S. city.
NEW COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING ASSOCIATE WELCOMED TO CASEY TREES | The Communications and Development
team is proud to announce the addition of a new team
member. Casey Manning has joined the group as the
new Communications and Marketing Associate who
will contribute to the organizations event planning,
marketing and media related efforts. Manning brings
notable design and promotion experience to Casey
Trees after graduating from the University of Vermont
with a B.S. in Public Communication and most recently
working as an Email & Social Media Specialist for
Fishbowl, Inc.
As an organization that couldn’t exist without its incredible volunteers, Casey Trees is proud to both acknowledge
and participate in National Volunteer Week. The week — April 6 through 12 — is intended to inspire and
encourage others to engage in their communities and form bonds over meeting challenges all across the nation.
No stranger to hard work and volunteerism, Casey Trees will be
holding three events during the week:
• On April 8, a prominent event will feature volunteers from
Conservation International and the Corporate Executive
Board participating in a Tree Care event at Marie Reed
Community Center which is followed by a Branch Out
Happy Hour. Both events are generously sponsored by the
Great Lakes Brewing Company.• The April 9 Congressional Cemetery Tree Care event
will benefit from the help of volunteers from the Virginia Tech student chapter of the American Society of
Landscape Architects and the Advisory Board Company.• A Tree Care Event that will also commemorate the Global Youth Day of Service. The April 11 Tree Care at the
Takoma Recreation Center will host volunteers from Legacy of Health and National Geographic as well as
students from Capital City Public Charter School.
CASEY TREES MARKS 40 YEAR ANNIVERSERY OF NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK
WORK WITH CASEY TREES | Spring is a time
of new beginnings and change is stirring at Casey
Trees. The Communications and Development team
is now hiring for two positions, a Development Associate as well as a CRM Administrator are
sought to join the team behind Casey Trees’ promotion
and fundraising efforts. To learn more, please contact
Jared Powell, Director of Communications and
Development, at [email protected]. For high school
students in the area, Casey Trees is now accepting
applications for its annual High School Summer Crew,
a youth jobs program in which high school students
serve as caretakers for D.C.’s trees in the summer. The
Summer Crew application period will run until mid-May.
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DUE MAY 1 | Community
groups interested in hosting a Community Tree Planting (CTP) event are encouraged to submit an
application by May 1 to be considered for the fall 2014
and spring 2015 planting seasons. Groups must have
locations for 10 or more trees on their private or public
property. To learn more about the CTP requirements
and apply to the program just visit the application page.
theleaflet | April 2014 3
U. S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM TO HOST TREE CLIMBING CHAMPIONSHIP | A local
landmark, the U.S. National Arboretum will play host to
the 2014 MAC-ISA Tree Climbing Championship
on April 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The annual
competition, which is free and open to the public, will
feature climbing events, forestry challenges, family
friendly tree activities and opportunities to picnic as
well as try out a variety of food trucks. Casey Trees
staff will be on hand at the event to lead children’s
activities and answering tree questions.
REGISTRATION CONTINUES FOR 2014 STIHL TOUR DES TREES | The annual 500-mile
cycling tour will continue in 2014 by setting its sights
on the roads of Wisconsin from July 27 to August 2.
The cycling tour aims to raise money to fund research
focused on improving the health of urban forests,
invest in education programs aimed at connecting
young people with the environment, and raise
awareness in communities about the importance of
trees to the quality of urban life. In 2012, Casey Trees’
employee Neil Irvin and former Arborist Sara Turner
raised more than $3,500 to cycle 585 miles across
Oregon.
HUNDREDS OF TREES VANDALIZED IN D.C. NEIGHBORHOODS | Not all urban forestry
developments are for the best. In mid-March, an
arrest was made in the case of a vandal who carved
extremely damaging, deep carved-circles into local
trees throughout the Bloomingdale and Truxton Circle
neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. The heartbreaking
crime is estimated to have affected up to 800 trees.
The raw carving destroyed tree barks while leaving the
trees open to infection and dramatically reducing their
life expectancy.
IN THIS ISSUE...
SPOTLIGHT: VOLUNTEER REAFFRIMS TREE PASSION ........................................................................... 6
RIVERSMART HOMES DOES ITS PART TO PROTECT WATERSHEDS ................................................... 7
BROOKLAND GREEN SAVED .................................................................................................................... 8-9
TOURING THE BEAUTY OF GREAT FALLS .......................................................................................... 10-11
BUDS STORY TIME DEBUTS AT U.S. NATIONAL ARBORETUM ............................................................ 12
APRIL AND MAY EVENTS, CLASSES AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES..................................... 14-15
ARBOR KIDS: SPRING FOREST FLOOR I-SPY ........................................................................................ 16
URBAN FORESTRY NEWS
4 April 2014 | theleaflet
HONOR. SUPPORT.
CELEBRATE.
TRAVEL LISTEN
SPONSORED BY
SUPPORT CASEY TREES AT THE CANOPY AWARDS AND EXPERIENCE A NIGHT TO REMEMBER.
BUMPER JACKSONS
ANDREW LIPKE AND THE AZRAEL STRING QUARTET
Travel in style to the Canopy Awards through a special Uber Promotion.
Just download the app and enter promo code:
CASEYTREESto receive a free first ride up to $25.
Metro: Five minute walk from the NoMaGallaudet U station on the Red Line.
Bus: Use the U St-Garfield Metrobus lines (90, 92, 93).
Park: Free parking is available in the lot directly in front of Union Market or on the street.
theleaflet | April 2014 5
PLAY WIN
4.24.146:30 - 10:00 PM1509 5TH ST NE, W DC
SPONSORED BY 5®
Take a peak at some of the items featured in the night’s Silent Auction.
Four Diamond Club Tickets to
Washington Nationals
Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW)
Class Gift Certificate
Phillips Collection Membership
Tudor Place Private Tour
Shuffleboard
Giant Checkers
Bocce Ball
...and more, including Putt Putt golf,
Giant Jenga, and Giant Connect 4.
6 April 2014 | theleaflet
Spotlight
Team Leader Lina Cortas rediscovers passion for treesBy Max Lopatnikov, Communications Intern,
Casey Trees | “Variety,” says Lina Cortas, as she
considers her favorite thing about being involved with
Casey Trees.
Long before she became a dear friend of Casey Trees,
Cortas recalls walking through a colored Pennsylvania
fall for the first time after arriving from her birthplace
of Beirut, Lebanon. The shock of seeing the vivid peak
color laid the roots for a love of trees lasting well into
adulthood.
Having an educational background
in agriculture and work experience
in ornamental horticulture led Cortas
to volunteer for Restore Mass Ave,
an organization that plants and cares
for trees in D.C. When she wanted to
learn more about tree care and foster
a deeper connection to the region’s
trees, she stumbled upon Casey Trees
and took her first classes, after which
— as often happens — a whole window
of opportunity opened up to learn and
engage with trees in endless ways. She
soon realized how much more there was
to learn.
“The knowledge shared through classes and interactions
with both staff and volunteers reconnected me with
the science of plants. I also learned how I could make a
difference in a tangible way,” Cortas said.
Variety is what kept her coming back. Cortas started
attending tree plantings and before she knew it, she
had become a Citizen Forester and a motivating Team
Leader.
Cortas likes being able to actively participate and get
things done and having a chance to think and contribute
ideas, while always leaving time to learn more. She does
— by planting, pruning, and caring for trees. She thinks
— by helping the Volunteer Engagement Steering Team
(VEST) develop new activities for volunteers to further
engage with Casey Trees’ mission. She learns — by
continuing with classes and forming relationships within
the Casey Trees’ community.
While consulting for other nonprofits professionally,
Cortas is fortunate enough to meet people who are
passionate about causes. For her, Casey Trees has been
an avenue to only build on that passion.
“I love trees. I always have. I love this city because of the
trees. I interrupt my conversations with friends to point
out aspects of trees,” Cortas says.
At Casey Trees, we are ecstatic to help others discover
and rediscover their natural appreciation for trees.
Diverse volunteers like Lena Cortas only help reaffirm
our own commitment.
Follow Casey Trees to read more about all the great programs to get involved that are helping increase the canopy of D.C.
theleaflet | April 2014 7
RiverSmart Homes: a needed friend of local watersheds
Submit a request online to get started with the RiverSmart Homes program today.
Tree Planting
By Marty Frye, Arborist, Casey Trees | It’s
snowing outside right now and salt covers the roads. A
creaky truck rolls down the street, leaking a slow drip of
oil. Soon the steady melt of the snow and coming rains
will flush all of this down the street and, with nowhere
else to go, into our storm-water drains.
Through that system, the polluted water will either go
directly to our rivers and streams, or take a trip to the
Blue Plains water treatment plant where it will undergo
an energy-intensive process to make it clean. In the
heaviest of storms, the storm-water will overflow our
sewage system and lead to further impacts on our rivers
and streams, including exposure to toxins, raised salinity,
and excess nutrient load.
Meanwhile, up in Ft. Bunker Hill Park — just a few
blocks from Casey Trees’ headquarters — the trees and
developed forest soils are steadily absorbing the water
and keeping it and any pollutants carried with it out of
our rivers. Water works at a huge scale and to replace
nature’s systems of water management is an epic task,
often doomed to failure.
The natural, self-regenerating capacity of forests to
absorb storm-water and filter it cannot be matched,
and only the most expensive conventional storm-water
management efforts (try billions of dollars, with a B)
come close. The forest that existed in D.C. was once
free — all it needed was a little respect and it would
continue to do its work for us.
Today, the urban forest has dwindled from its previous
glory and the
Anacostia, Potomac,
Rock Creek, and
tributary streams of
this great city are
suffering as a result.
Yet all is not lost.
The emergence of
well-informed urban
forestry efforts seeks
to turn this tide and
restore our city’s
forest.
Casey Trees’
partnership with the
District Department
of Environment through the River Smart Homes program seeks to tackle this problem head on and with
a motivating goal in mind: healthy rivers and streams.
Residential yards are some of the most abundant
plant-able spaces in the city. Parks like Ft. Bunker Hill
are limited in the city and can’t handle all of the water
flowing through our urban watershed, but by reforesting
house by house we can drastically increase the tree
canopy in the city.
Vital to this effort are homeowners who are willing and
excited to care for trees. Even in the city, we live in a
complex watershed with natural processes at play. By
cooperating with these processes, we can make life
easier for ourselves and for our rivers and streams.
8 April 2014 | theleaflet
By Maisie Hughes, Director of Planning & Design, Casey Trees | On Tuesday, March 18, Mayor
Vincent C. Gray and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie
announced a “plan for the District’s Department of
General Services (DGS) to swap unused parcels of
land in exchange for the Brookland Green site,” owned
by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
(WMATA).
This move was in response to overwhelming community
support to save the “Brookland Green,” a parcel of land
that is home more than 20 mature trees and located
adjacent to the Brookland-CUA Metro Stations Kiss-
and-Ride drop off.
While many residents and businesses were open to
portions of the area being developed, they were also
concerned that too rapid of development in the
neighborhood would come at the expense of green
space, trees and goals for their neighborhood.
Councilmember McDuffie, the Brookland Neighborhood
Civic Association and Casey Trees have stood together
in support of preserving the Brookland Green and its
trees. Doing so helps the District achieve the goals
embodied in Mayor Gray’s Sustainable DC Plan, which
set a 40 percent tree canopy goal and aims to have
parks and natural spaces within a ten-minute walk of all
residents.
Through Casey Trees’ advocacy efforts, almost 300
letters of support to preserve the Green were collected
and sent to WMATA’s Board of Directors and Mr. Stan
Wall, WMATA’s Director of Real Estate/Station Planning.
Additionally, the Brookland Neighborhood Civic
Association collected 374 petition signatures in support
of preserving the Brookland Green.
Mayor Gray Swaps Land to Preserve the Brookland Green
These trees of the Brookland Green will live to see another day. Photo credit: Brookland Bridge
Advocacy
theleaflet | April 2014 9
While this is great news for the Brookland community,
it is important that the land swap does not ultimately
end in tree canopy loss for another neighborhood.
Our advocacy team will closely monitor the pledge
to preserve the Brookland Green and ensure that
the proposed land swap sites are held to the same
standards as the Brookland Green.
Casey Trees believes this project can create a model
for a sustainable, mixed-use and transit-oriented
development - a development that can help us achieve a
40 percent tree canopy cover District-wide.
Overhead view of Brookland territory and the tree canopy being spared from development.
Take action for trees today and join our advocacy efforts.
10 April 2014 | theleaflet
Touring the beauty of the Potomac GorgeNANCE FUNCTION
By Stephanie Juchs, Community Education Coordinator, Casey Trees | When most people travel to Great Falls, Maryland,
part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historical Park, they immediately head for the scenic
Great Falls overlook or gear up for a strenuous hike
on a section of the Billy Goat trail that follows the
Potomac’s edge. Few people get off the well-known
routes in favor of trails on the other side of the
tow path that meander through some of the oldest
still-intact forests in Maryland, offering breathtaking
vistas.
On a a recent blustery Sunday morning, several
adventurers joined Carole Bergmann, Forest
Ecologist for the Maryland National Capital Park and
Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), and Casey Trees
to explore this exceptional forest habitat.The 528 acre “Gold Mine
Tract” is one of the largest
contiguous piedmont forests
in Maryland and was the first forest in the state to be
inducted into the Old Growth Forest Network. While
the forest is a an example of a still evolving Eastern
Hardwood Old Growth Forest, the trees are some of the
oldest and largest in the area and create a cathedral-
like canopy dominated by towering tulip trees and large
American beech.
While taking in the towering majestic trees, Carole
started the tree tour with an overview of the Gold Mine
area and how the forest has changed over time due
to changing species composition and evolving land
Education
Participants listen as Carole Bergmann explores details during the tour.
This well-educated Tree Tour group is all smiles.
theleaflet | April 2014 11
use. The Gold Mine Tract and the surrounding trails
get their name from the traces of gold mine ruins that
were constructed following the Civil War. Following
the closing of the mines, the popularity of the area
demanded the addition of a trolley line in 1913 to
transport individuals. While remnants of the trolley are
now long gone, its history can be seen in the topography
surrounding the trail.
While the Gold Mine Tract area is safeguarded for
future enjoyment, it is not immune to human impacts,
including the introduction of invasive species. While the
tour focused on trees, Carole, who spends a great deal
of her professional time on invasive removal, pointed
out invasive species that are starting to take hold in the
park, including garlic mustard and bush honeysuckle.
However, when compared with areas of
Rock Creek Park and the MNCPPC parks in
Montgomery County, the Gold Mine area is
relatively pristine with, very few invasive species
present.
As our group continued along the trail, Carole
highlighted the identifying features of native
white oak and the handiwork of a pileated
woodpecker on a snag. On the ridge above
the towpath, the group was gifted a stunning
view of Great Falls and a wide swath of the
Potomac Gorge. This viewpoint offered a stark
comparison to the tree species found on the
edge of the Potomac below, mostly American
sycamore, with the upland species like
Chestnut oak that surrounded our group.
Additional information about online, classroom and outdoor educational opportunities can be accessed on the website.
12 April 2014 | theleaflet
By Lacey S. Brown, Family Programming Contributor | As a former Casey Trees staff member,
I am thrilled to be partnering with Casey Trees for a
second year to provide family programming to children
and their parents and caregivers.
BUDSNew this year, Buds is tree-focused story time created
to entertain and teach audiences of toddlers and
preschoolers, 18 months to 5 years, and is hosted at the
U.S. National Arboretum.
Each session of
Buds will feature
three to four tree and
environment focused
books interspersed
with songs about
trees, their parts and
the animals who
depend on them.
Children will create
a pair of “binoculars”
during the craft
portion of the story
time and leave with
a list of seasonally appropriate “scavenger hunt” items.
Following story time, children and families can use their
“binoculars” to hunt for items from the list, like star
shaped leaves and seeds with wings, as they explore the
Arboretum on their own.
Buds story time dates:
May 31, June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13, October
25, November 8, December 13
TREE DETECTIVESFor the second year, I will be offering Tree Detectives, a
series of family-focused tree tours styled as scavenger
hunts where kids hunt for clues to identify different
trees. Tree Detectives is aimed toward children ages 6
to 10.
Participants receive a “detective’s notebook” for each
walk, which will be a take-away guide to the trees on the
walk. These walks will take place on Saturday mornings
in April to June and September through November.
In July and August, twilight walks will take place on
weekday evenings to take advantage of the drop in
temperature as the sun goes down.
Tree Detectives dates:
May 3: Lacey Woods Park
June 7: Lincoln Park
July 9: Garfield Park
August 13: Stoddert School in Northwest
September 20: Azalea trail at the National Arboretu
October 4: TBD
November 8: TBD
Buds story time at the National Arboretum to debut May 31
Education
Find out more about Casey Trees’ youth educational programs online.
theleaflet | April 2014 13
ww
PlantedCaredPruned
AdvocatedDonated
Thank you to everyone who
has...
Celebrate National Volunteer WeekApril 6-12
Save the Date:Spring Wrap Up Party
May 1711:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Details forthcoming
14 April 2014 | theleaflet
Tree Tour: Cherry Blossom Walk 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.Location determined upon registration
Join Washington Walks and Casey Trees for a walking tour recounting how Japanese cherry trees came to be planted in the District and the different varieties found in the area. The walk will also include up-close looks at other notable trees along the National Mall.
Cost: $20**In partnership with Washington Walks. Register for this event on
the Washington Walks website. All proceeds from the walk will be donated to Casey Trees.
Social: Branch Out Happy Hour 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.Solly’s 1942 11th St NW
It is National Volunteer Week and we want you to celebrate our volunteers with us and the Great Lakes Brewing Company at Solly’s for our monthly social happy hour!
Cost: Free**No registration required
Tree Tour: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site9:00a.m. to 12:00p.mFrederick Douglass National Historic Site1411 W Street SE
Celebrate the District’s Emancipation Day a few days early with a tour of Frederick Douglass’ home and the surrounding grounds! A morning tour of Cedar Hill, the former home of Frederick Douglass, will be followed by a tree tour led by City of Trees author Melanie Choukas-Bradley.
Cost: Free, SOLD OUT
Class: Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Casey Trees Headquarters
This course looks at non-native, invasive plants and how they threaten native landscapes. Participants will learn how to identify and control invasives found in the D.C. area. The course consists of two parts on two different days: a 2.5 hour classroom session at the Casey Trees headquarters (April 23rd) followed by a 3 hour field session (April 26th) in Rock Creek Park.
Cost: $20, SOLD OUT
Class: Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal Field Session9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Rock Creek Park
Field session for “Non-Native Invasive Plant Removal” class. The course consists of two parts on two different days: a 2.5 hour classroom session at the Casey Trees headquarters (April 23rd) followed by a 3 hour field session (April 26th) in Rock Creek Park.
Cost: Free, SOLD OUT
Family Program: Tree Detectives at Lacey Woods Park10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.Lacey Woods Park 1200 N. George Mason DriveArlington, VA
Bring the whole family to Tree Detectives, a family-focused tree tour where you’ll hunt for clues including leaves, flowers and fruit to help identify different trees.
Cost: Free
Events
Tree tours and classes to see through the planting seasonApril and May are full of classes, tree tours and planting events to participate in. Become a Casey Trees Member to receive exclusive benefits, such as advance registration to events like those below!
SATURDAY, APRIL 12SUNDAY, APRIL 6 SATURDAY, APRIL 26
TUESDAY, APRIL 8 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23
SATURDAY, MAY 3
theleaflet | April 2014 15
Tree Tour: Riparian Forests Paddling Outing5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Kenilworth ParkDeane Avenue NE
Join Casey Trees and Anacostia Watershed Society for a paddle night on the Anacostia River while learning about the ecology of the surrounding wetlands and forests
Cost: Free**Early access to this event is only available to current Casey Trees Members. Receive benefits like advanced registration, invitations to special events, and discounted
tickets by becoming a member today!
Family Program: Buds Story Time at the U.S. National Arboretum10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.U.S. National Arboretum24th Street Northeast & R Street NE
Join us for our new family program, Buds, a tree-focused story time aimed toward an audience of toddlers and preschoolers.
Cost: Free
Volunteer
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
APRIL
MAY
3 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Lansburgh Park 3 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Rosedale Conservancy
DATE DAY TIME LOCATION/GROUP
Volunteer opportunities are in blue. Citizen Forester-only plantings or trainings are in green.
Schools and special planting events are not open to outside volunteers. Advance registration for
volunteer events is required and many events have already filled up.
3 Thursday 9:00 a.m. Garrison Elementary School 5 Saturday 9:00 a.m. St. Joseph’s Seminary 5 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Shepherd Park 10 Thursday 10:00 a.m. Robert Goddard Montessori School (Md.) 11 Friday 10:00 a.m. Armed Forces Retirement Home 12 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Quincy Street Neighbors 12 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Edgewood Neighborhood 19 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Fair Haven Community Center (Va.) 19 Friday 9:00 a.m. Knox Terrace 22 Tuesday 9:00 a.m. Imagine Hope - Lamond PCS 26 Saturday 9:00 a.m. Langdon Park
SATURDAY, MAY 31
16 April 2014 | theleaflet
Arbor Kids
I Spy: Spring Forest FloorSpring rains and fading snowmelts give way to the vibrancy of an emering spring forest. Just look down —spot
all the tree pieces and leaves below!
American Holly leaves
Tulip Poplar Seeds
Dried Redbud leaf
Magnolia Leaf
Snowdrop flowers
Beach leaf
Fern Piece of tree bark
How many other types of dried leaves can you
find?