The meeting minutes for the March 27, 2026 meeting are now posted below:
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### Summary of the Texas Black Urban Forestry Council (TBUFC) Meeting – March 27, 2026
The TBUFC held a comprehensive meeting focused on urban forestry education, training initiatives, organizational updates, and upcoming events. The discussion emphasized expanding educational outreach rather than tree planting, improving administrative processes, and enhancing collaboration with partners.
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### Key Updates and Decisions
#### Financial and Administrative
– **Current Budget:** Approximately $15,000 available.
– **Pending Income:** Awaiting a $7,000 check from Texas ISA, expected to raise the budget above $20,000.
– **Bank Account Management:** Plans to add Susan and Mark as authorized signers; Chase bank account and credit card access to be expanded for smoother transactions.
– **Budget Questions:** None raised; financial status stable pending incoming funds.
#### Training and Educational Programs
– **Electrical Hazard Training with Encore:**
– Targeted for November 2026, possibly on the 12th or 19th.
– Limited to 35-40 participants, potentially offered in English and Spanish.
– Could be a paid event with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) provided through Texas ISA.
– May expand to two days or two separate sessions if demand is high.
– Focuses on educating arborists about the dangers of working near power lines, including practical demonstrations (e.g., arcing demonstration).
– **Bilingual Training Workshop:**
– Recent sessions drew approximately 75 attendees in Dallas, 14 in Houston, and 178 in San Antonio.
– Next bilingual workshops scheduled for February 17-19, 2027, across Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
– Workshops are well-received and important for reaching Spanish-speaking communities.
– **Certified Arborist Training:**
– Annual prep course hosted in Dallas with approximately 30 participants.
– Training is free; test takers pay for the certification exam (approx. $200).
– Plans for 2.5 days of training plus optional study sessions and testing.
– Potential for a Spanish-language session to accommodate bilingual participants.
– Target audience includes city employees, utility and private arborists, and aspiring professionals.
– **Shade Keeper Training:**
– Ongoing program in Grand Prairie.
– Coordinator has relocated; efforts underway to continue the program with new leadership.
– **Citizen Foresters Course:**
– Scheduled for Saturdays in the fall at the Audubon Center.
– Free course aimed at increasing community knowledge and urban forest health.
– Food sponsorship is a consideration but not currently provided.
#### Urban Forestry Projects and Initiatives
– **Saluting Branches Volunteer Event:**
– Seeking alternate sites due to logistical challenges.
– Potential sites include Veterans Hospital adjacent park and DFW location.
– Coordination with local tree services and volunteers is ongoing.
– Event scheduled for September 16, 2026.
– **Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Management:**
– Widespread infestation in Dallas, with traps planned to monitor spread.
– Innovative baiting strategies being considered to attract and control pests.
– Collaboration with Texas A&M Forest Service and City of Plano on detection and management.
– Urban forest inventory and data collection efforts (Forest Inventory Analysis – FIA) underway to improve urban forestry data for Dallas.
– **Texas Tree Trails and Champion Trees:**
– Continued efforts to update and maintain records of champion trees.
– Collaboration with Forest Service volunteers and local arborists.
– Website updates and a new platform launch are in progress.
– Champion tree status supports preservation efforts but does not guarantee protection.
#### Communications and Technology
– **Website and Financial System Update:**
– Transition to Zeffy.com for payment processing, raffle management, membership, and communications.
– Zeffy offers no transaction fees and integrated mass email capabilities.
– MailChimp newsletter migration planned to Zeffy platform by end of 2026.
– Website updates include event postings and security improvements.
– **Social Media and Outreach:**
– Members encouraged to share relevant social media content with the communications lead.
– Upcoming Urban Forestry Institute (UFI) events posted online with registration open.
#### Upcoming Events and Speakers
– **Urban Forestry Institute (UFI):**
– Scheduled for May 5 (Dallas) and May 7 (San Antonio), 2026.
– Features speakers Chris Rasmussen, Ron Zilmer (Legacy Trees), Mark Bowden, and others.
– Topics include prescriptive pruning, planting, and innovative tree planting machinery.
– Event capacity approximately 130 participants.
– CEUs available; sponsorship opportunities promoted.
– **Texas Urban Forestry Council:**
– Next meeting on April 23, 2026, via Zoom.
– Focus on zoning, landscape, and escarpment ordinance reforms in Dallas.
– New chair is Dr. Katie Kosick.
#### Other Notable Items
– **Urban Forest Professional Certification:**
– Efforts underway to provide local study sessions and online webinars preparing candidates for this certification exam.
– Collaboration with ISA staff to facilitate these offerings.
– **Appreciation and Collaboration:**
– Members acknowledged the collective effort contributing to progress in urban forestry education and outreach.
– Emphasis on continuing partnerships between TBUFC, urban forestry professionals, government agencies, and volunteers.
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### Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event/Activity | Notes |
|——————-|————————————————-|———————————-|
| March 27, 2026 | TBUFC Meeting | Budget, training, project updates|
| May 5, 2026 | Urban Forestry Institute (Dallas) | Speakers, CEUs, sponsorships |
| May 7, 2026 | Urban Forestry Institute (San Antonio) | Same as Dallas event |
| September 8, 2026 | Certified Arborist Training (Tentative) | 2.5 days + test option |
| September 16, 2026| Saluting Branches Volunteer Event | Site TBD (DFW or Veterans Hospital)|
| November 12 or 19, 2026 | Electrical Hazard Training with Encore | Limited seats, bilingual option |
| February 17-19, 2027 | Bilingual Workshops (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)| Pre-scheduled, well-attended |
| April 23, 2026 | Texas Urban Forestry Council Meeting (Zoom) | Zoning and ordinance updates |
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### Summary of Quantitative Data
| Training/Event | Attendance/Capacity | Cost/Notes |
|———————————|——————————|———————————-|
| Budget Available | ~$15,000 | Awaiting $7,000 check |
| Bilingual Workshop Attendance | Dallas: 75; Houston: 14; San Antonio: 178 | Next scheduled Feb 2027 |
| Certified Arborist Training | 30 attendees (current year) | Training free; exam approx $200 |
| Electrical Hazard Training | Limited to 35-40 participants| Paid event, CEUs provided |
| Urban Forestry Institute (UFI) | Capacity ~130 | Half-day indoor & half-day outdoor|
| Saluting Branches Event | *Not specified* | Sept 16, site pending |
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### Core Concepts and Focus Areas
– **Education over Planting:** TBUFC prioritizes educational programs, training, and community outreach rather than direct tree planting.
– **Safety Training:** Electrical hazard awareness is critical for arborists working near power lines.
– **Bilingual and Inclusive Training:** Continuing to expand Spanish-language sessions to reach diverse communities.
– **Certification Pathways:** Supporting certified arborist and urban forest professional credentials to elevate professional standards.
– **Urban Pest Management:** Monitoring and managing Emerald Ash Borer to protect urban forests.
– **Data-Driven Forestry:** Using forest inventory analysis to improve urban forestry management.
– **Technology Integration:** Leveraging new platforms like Zephy.com for operations, communication, and fundraising.
– **Volunteer Engagement:** Encouraging community involvement through events like Saluting Branches and Tree Trails.
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### Key Insights
– **TBUFC is strengthening its role as an educational hub** in urban forestry through diverse, accessible training programs.
– **Strategic partnerships with organizations like Texas ISA, Encore, and Texas A&M Forest Service** enhance the quality and reach of programming.
– **Financial stewardship is cautious yet optimistic,** balancing current budget constraints with incoming funds.
– **Embracing bilingual education and certification supports inclusivity** and addresses the needs of a diverse urban workforce.
– **Ongoing efforts to modernize communication and administration** through new technologies position TBUFC for sustainable growth.
– **Urban forestry challenges such as pest management and ordinance reform** remain active areas of focus requiring multi-stakeholder collaboration.
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This summary reflects all information provided in the transcript, with no added or speculative content.
Michael is a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station, TX. He received his B.S in Recreation Administration in 2005 and went to work for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas right after graduation. Michael serves as Secretary of TBUFC and provides technical support for the organization.
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