View Poster Application

TREE SURVEYS USING MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEERS

Extension Education

Pam Bennett
State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, ANR Educator
Ohio State Univeristy Extension
SPRINGFIELD

Abstract

\r\n Communities struggle with the cost of inventorying public trees; they simply don't have the excess funds in today's economy to complete a public tree inventory.  Ohio State University Extension and Master Gardener Volunteers (MGV) partnered with the city of Springfield, Ohio to address this challenge.  MGVs are trained on tree identification, how to use a Biltmore stick and tree diameter tape, how to enter data, and how to conduct an inventory.  Clark County MGVs completed a survey of a local Cemetery with the goal of completing all public trees in the city.  They collaborated with The Ohio State University School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources to analyze the data.  Members in the department ran the data through iTree, a research-based software suite developed by the USDA Forest Service, and developed the report.  iTree software calculates the value of the trees in respects to environmental benefits and services provided by the trees to the community.  Community leaders can then make informed decisions about infrastructure and tree replacement and biodiversity in the community.  The current challenge is to manage the number of ash trees that might be lost due to emerald ash borer.  The benefit to the community is an inventory of the public trees that allows them to better manage the trees, and that this inventory was completed by volunteers, providing a significant cost savings.  The benefits to the volunteers is the value of learning tree identification and completing an inventory as well as giving back to their community.

\r\n

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

Click to view Poster

Authors: P.J. Bennett, J. Chatfield, K. Smith
  1. Bennett, P. State Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 45502
  2. Chatfield, J. Extension Specialist, Horticulture, Ohio State Univeristy Extension, Ohio, 44691
  3. Smith, K. Extension Specialist, Forestry, Ohio State University Extension, Ohio, 43201