Safety On The Job: Six Steps To Adopting A Culture Of Safety
Turf Editors
More Accurate Heat Mapping & Tree Planting In Philadelphia
A new high-resolution heat map of Philadelphia, PA from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) more closely resembles the actual heat people feel on a hot urban summer day—and reveals how local landscape features affect temperature and humidity. The data for the new heat map was gathered in the summer of 2022 when multiple partner organizations—including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), community groups, and city residents—mapped Philadelphia’s “urban heat island” as part of a federally-funded study to uncover how heat varies across neighborhoods on a hot summer day. The measurements taken during this campaign notably differ from those used in previous heat maps, however, due to more “real world” methodology. In prior heat maps, temperatures were obtained by satellites recording surface temperatures, like the tops of buildings. Yet this campaign measured air temperature and humidity close to the ground, more closely representing the heat people feel. Additionally, measurements were collected at multiple times of day (morning, afternoon, and evening), capturing how the hottest and coolest areas change depending on time of day. The findings from TNC’s study, dubbed the Citywide Heat Ride, revealed that temperatures in neighborhoods with lower tree canopy coverage soared as much as 10.5˚ higher than more tree-dense areas at the same time of day, underscoring the importance of increasing the level of tree canopy coverage, especially in areas with high vulnerability to extreme heat. Lori Brennan, executive director of TNC in Pennsylvania and Delaware, emphasized the significance of this study, stating, “As average temperatures continue to rise due to ...
More Accurate Heat Mapping & Tree Planting In Philadelphia
A new high-resolution heat map of Philadelphia, PA from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) more closely resembles the actual heat people feel on a hot urban summer day—and reveals how local landscape features affect temperature and humidity. The data for the new heat map was gathered in the summer of 2022 when multiple partner organizations—including the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS), community groups, and city residents—mapped Philadelphia’s “urban heat island” as part of a federally-funded study to uncover how heat varies across neighborhoods on a hot summer day. The measurements taken during this campaign notably differ from those used in previous heat maps, however, due to more “real world” methodology. In prior heat maps, temperatures were obtained by satellites recording surface temperatures, like the tops of buildings. Yet this campaign measured air temperature and humidity close to the ground, more closely representing the heat people feel. Additionally, measurements were collected at multiple times of day (morning, afternoon, and evening), capturing how the hottest and coolest areas change depending on time of day. The findings from TNC’s study, dubbed the Citywide Heat Ride, revealed that temperatures in neighborhoods with lower tree canopy coverage soared as much as 10.5˚ higher than more tree-dense areas at the same time of day, underscoring the importance of increasing the level of tree canopy coverage, especially in areas with high vulnerability to extreme heat. Lori Brennan, executive director of TNC in Pennsylvania and Delaware, emphasized the significance of this study, stating, “As average temperatures continue to rise due to ...
2022 Hearts of STIHL Winners Announced
STIHL Inc. recently announced the winners of its 2022 Hearts of STIHL program, an initiative to care for the environment through the preservation of our nation’s state parks. The 2022 Hearts of STIHL winners, representing the nation’s six state park regions, have each been awarded a $20,000 grant to help fund sustainability, recovery, conservation, or environmental education programs. The recipients of the Hearts of STIHL grants by region and some examples of how they will use their grants are as follows: Northeast – Roxbury Heritage State Park – Massachusetts Stewardship Corps after-school program, 8-week high/middle school program Southeast – Chewacla State Park – Alabama Partnership with the City of Auburn and Auburn University College of Forestry Wildlife and Environment for non-native invasive species removal Central – Inks Lake State Park – Texas Storm damaged and diseased tree replacement, native tree planting, eco-system maintenance North Central – Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park – Kentucky Tornado recovery, trail recovery and enhancement, equipment and material purchase Northwest – Wyoming State Parks – Wyoming Installation of pollinator demonstration gardens at five Wyoming state parks Southwest – Spooner Lake State Park – Nevada Improved biomass disposal, purchase of portable mill and wood kiln The awarded grants will be managed by America’s State Parks Foundation, ensuring that all funding will support environmental efforts and educational programming. More than 25 parks applied for the grant, with a broad variety of funding and support needs. “America’s State Parks have had record levels of visitation across the country this ...
Queen Elizabeth II Tree Legacy: She Planted Over 1,500 Trees
Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, who was 96, died today at Balmoral castle in Scotland. Well known for her love of the outdoors, she leaves a rich legacy behind—not the least of which is over 1,500 trees planted throughout the world during the course of her reign—with over a million more being planted in her honor. As part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations (marking 70 years since her accession to the throne in 1952) this year, a UK-wide tree planting initiative began last Fall. Dubbed The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), with the motto “Plant A Tree For The Jubilee,” over a million trees were planted from October 2021 to March 2022. Everyone from individuals to Scout and Girl guiding groups, villages, cities, counties, schools and corporates were encouraged to play their part to enhance the environment by planting trees. More trees will be planted as part of the initiative next month. Included in the trees to be planted this October will be 350 British-grown species that were exhibited as part of the “Tree of Trees” living sculpture by Thomas Heatherwick that stood at Buckingham Palace during Jubilee Weekend. The 350 trees in aluminum pots embossed with Her Majesty’s cypher will be gifted to selected community groups and individuals to celebrate their work and inspire the next generation of tree planters. The trees will be distributed evenly across the UK in proportion to the population. The QGC is giving priority to those seeking to create a cleaner, greener environment which will ...
Arbor Day: A USDA Forest Nursery Transplanted 3 Million Seedlings For Reforestation
Happy Arbor Day! Here’s a great tree story: At the J. Herbert Stone Nursery in Central Point, OR, one of eight USDA Forest Service nurseries, employees took on a massive task to transplant nearly three million seedling plugs in an effort to further tree reforestation and post-fire recovery. The number of seedlings planted were roughly double the average annual volume the nursery transplants every Fall. (The typical project is 1 million to 1.5 million.) This signifiant accomplishment, which took place in just 11 days last Fall, is part of a recently announced 10-year strategy to confront the wildfire crisis and improve forest resilience. Overgrown forests, a warming climate, and a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface—following more than a century of rigorous fire suppression—have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis. Seedling Story Forest Service nurseries provide locally adapted plants and seeds for reforestation projects. The seeds are replanted in the areas they were collected, assuring a source of desirable species and stock types for restoring native ecosystems. Seedlings are requested based on landscape needs, such as fire-related disturbances, timber harvest, and other specific requirements. Having the seeds be naturally, genetically acclimated to areas where they will be finally planted can help the seedlings succeed once they are planted on the landscape. “Natural resource specialists working on the ground as part of fire recovery efforts were able to determine where and what they would be planting quickly. They submitted orders in the ...
Arbor Day: A USDA Forest Nursery Transplanted 3 Million Seedlings For Reforestation
Happy Arbor Day! Here’s a great tree story: At the J. Herbert Stone Nursery in Central Point, OR, one of eight USDA Forest Service nurseries, employees took on a massive task to transplant nearly three million seedling plugs in an effort to further tree reforestation and post-fire recovery. The number of seedlings planted were roughly double the average annual volume the nursery transplants every Fall. (The typical project is 1 million to 1.5 million.) This signifiant accomplishment, which took place in just 11 days last Fall, is part of a recently announced 10-year strategy to confront the wildfire crisis and improve forest resilience. Overgrown forests, a warming climate, and a growing number of homes in the wildland-urban interface—following more than a century of rigorous fire suppression—have all contributed to what is now a full-blown wildfire and forest health crisis. Seedling Story Forest Service nurseries provide locally adapted plants and seeds for reforestation projects. The seeds are replanted in the areas they were collected, assuring a source of desirable species and stock types for restoring native ecosystems. Seedlings are requested based on landscape needs, such as fire-related disturbances, timber harvest, and other specific requirements. Having the seeds be naturally, genetically acclimated to areas where they will be finally planted can help the seedlings succeed once they are planted on the landscape. “Natural resource specialists working on the ground as part of fire recovery efforts were able to determine where and what they would be planting quickly. They submitted orders in the ...
Arbor Day 2022: Bartlett’s 8th Year Of The Legacy Tree Program
This Arbor Day, Bartlett Tree Experts will give away more than 30,000 tree seedlings in communities across the U.S. as part of the Bartlett Legacy Tree Program. The Program, celebrating its eighth anniversary, has distributed over 515,000 tree seedlings since its inception in 2014. It was established by Bartlett Tree Experts to support tree planting and stewardship in local communities through the annual distribution of seedlings in schools, at events, and to reforestation efforts. During the first half of this year, more than 60,000 trees have been distributed by Bartlett Tree Experts employees through the program. The majority of those seedlings are handed out or planted in the spring, primarily as part of Arbor Day and Earth Day festivities, events, and activities in a variety of locations. “Our Legacy Tree Program is all about bringing trees and people together. It’s gratifying to see this program making that happen each year,” said Patrick Franklin, who manages the program. “Each of our Arborist Representatives is encouraged to distribute at least 100 seedlings every year, and many are so enthusiastic about the mission that they go far beyond that number. It’s a great way for Bartlett Tree Experts to make a difference while giving back to our communities and improving the environment.” With all of Bartlett’s 151 offices participating in the program over the last eight years, the seedlings have been given away in over 30 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces, and numerous locations in greater London in the United Kingdom as ...
Arbor Day 2022: Bartlett’s 8th Year Of The Legacy Tree Program
This Arbor Day, Bartlett Tree Experts will give away more than 30,000 tree seedlings in communities across the U.S. as part of the Bartlett Legacy Tree Program. The Program, celebrating its eighth anniversary, has distributed over 515,000 tree seedlings since its inception in 2014. It was established by Bartlett Tree Experts to support tree planting and stewardship in local communities through the annual distribution of seedlings in schools, at events, and to reforestation efforts. During the first half of this year, more than 60,000 trees have been distributed by Bartlett Tree Experts employees through the program. The majority of those seedlings are handed out or planted in the spring, primarily as part of Arbor Day and Earth Day festivities, events, and activities in a variety of locations. “Our Legacy Tree Program is all about bringing trees and people together. It’s gratifying to see this program making that happen each year,” said Patrick Franklin, who manages the program. “Each of our Arborist Representatives is encouraged to distribute at least 100 seedlings every year, and many are so enthusiastic about the mission that they go far beyond that number. It’s a great way for Bartlett Tree Experts to make a difference while giving back to our communities and improving the environment.” With all of Bartlett’s 151 offices participating in the program over the last eight years, the seedlings have been given away in over 30 U.S. states, three Canadian provinces, and numerous locations in greater London in the United Kingdom as ...
