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CASE # L~ REPORT ON 1993 ARBOR EVENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPO By: Bruce Bacon, Environmental Specialist BACKGROUND: This year's Expo achieved diverse goals and provided residents important access to trees and both technical and general information about trees, energy and ecology. Six tree vendors and one plant vendor offered a wide selection of planting material at discounted prices. The join participation with the Anoka County Tr~ Board (ACTB), Bums Township Tree Board and the City of Ramsey Green Tree Committee provided substantial volunteer hours, word of mouth promotion and coordination. This partnership also resulted in lowered expenditures to the City of Ramsey. Of the $1,0ff) authorized by the City Council for "seed" money, only $360.00 was used for the Expo, $300.00 more sponsored two components for Ramsey Elementary School. Tree inspector hours provided a match for part of the City in-kind portion of a DNR Challenge Grant. Kunde Company included an oak wilt suppression plan, tree cover type and an inventory toward a Comprehensive Community Forestry Plan. The DNR ReLeaf Grant provided 100 trees and park and utilities staff time for technical meetings and distribution at the Expo. The participation of Ramsey Seniors in the bake sale and donations to a silent auction brought in dollars to fund a nee planting project in the fail by the Green Tree Committee (GTC). The GTC is meeting this summer to identify a project with local partners. The Expo and Tree Sale provide a family focus as well as practical advantage to residential tree planting. Arbor events bring community participation and celebration to raise awareness of needs for Ramsefs urban forest. To continue development of this Spring tradition, additional parmerships in the business community need to be sought. Outside funding for the Expo and additional agency involvement is also needed. The many volunteer hours and promotion through the ACTB was for the 1993 year and will need replacement for 1994. One possibility would be to seek to be a regional Arbor ceremony site. The Annual Tree Sale is a well known and attended regional event. As~the volunteer and resident participation increases, so does the need for Staff coordination and support. Perhaps a pm-time intern position could be created for the community development aspect. Certainly the school program component could be a valued expansion also. The conjunction of the Tree Sale and Expo with Clean-up Day and recycling could be further thought through. Park and Recreation goals and Natural Resource concerns also combine with this opportunity. business, agency and non-government organizations are part of this mix and could be expanded. (Attached: Financial Summary, silent auction sheet, GTC volunteer roster and hours) Each year provides oppommities as well as challenges. To continue the success of the Arbor events again will require forethought, direction and commitment. COMMITIEE ACTION: None required - based upon discussion. Review Checklist: City Administrator Finance Officer Environmental Specialist