1. Jeremy

   I like to think all of us that wrote Mayor Moncrief asking for him to save the progam made a difference too.

   Aug 25th, 2008

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2. John MacFarlane

   i am the tree planting committee chair for Ryan Place. We want to complete the planting program this year. About half of the ‘hood is left. I started an email campaign and the residents of RP sent lots of emails to the council. The email below is from Joel Burns dated August 19:

   Many of you have written me about articles seen on westandclear.com and in the Star-Telegram about the City’s budget issues and related proposals for reduction or elimination of the City’s tree programs (which have an associated budget of just under $400,000 annually).

   In last week’s 2-day budget retreat, I asked City Manager Dale Fisseler and Parks and Community Services Director Richard Zavala to come back to us with a proposal that would save the program.

   The Mayor has warned all of us on Council to not seek changes to the Manager’s proposed budget without bringing to the table ways to pay for it.

   I am happy to report that in response to my request and those of another supportive Council-member, staff is looking at a future policy change which would allow the City to consider trees to be part of our Capital Improvements program, thus allowing for funding from the City’s limited gas royalties fund. Additionally, as part of the outcome of the Trinity Trees wellsite issue, Chesapeake has agreed to contribute $100K each year for five years towards the City’s tree program.

   We are still in the budget process – we are taking a day off tomorrow from budget workshops to allow for other City business and will reconvene again Thursday. But I believe that (and will continue to work towards) the City will be able to maintain both the tree planting program and the tree farm, though both at reduced budget and staffing levels.

   Thank you for all the many emails on this important issue. If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

   Joel

   Councilman Joel Burns
   City of Fort Worth, Dist. 9
   1000 Throckmorton, Fort Worth, TX 76102
   817-392-8809 office (scheduling and District business)
   817-209-5555 mobile
   817-392-6187 fax

   Aug 25th, 2008

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3. Philip Hennen

   Thanks John and Joel for the informative uipdate.

   Seems to me trees are definitely a “capital improvement” for Fort Worth to help offset the adverse effects of intensive urbanization. A real “quality of life”, “livable city” topic.

   I still have to wonder where in our major media is the hard-hitting investigative reporting that would help us understand how in the world the city can be in this budgetary tight spot. I know the rumblings of this were coming well before the recent surge in energy prices, so I don’t want to hear that take all the blame.

   Aug 26th, 2008

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4. Kevin Buchanan

   Careful on the words, there - “urbanization” of the true form as has been picking up speed in Fort Worth’s central core can do wonders even without extensive “greening” in the form of trees, etc. As an example - the plaza in front of the Pantheon in Rome pretty much has zero green things in it, but it’s still a wonderful space because of the quality of the architecture and its design and relationship to the public space.

   What tends to destroy beauty is what local papers call “urbanization,” but what is really drivable suburbansim, ie sprawl. That’s why suburban developers often rely on “nature band-aids” in the form of berms and little juniper shrubs to make up for the fact that they’re building horrific spaces in the form of parking lots and big box stores.

   That all being said, I do appreciate the use of trees in several Fort Worth urban neighborhoods (true urban neighborhoods) and definitely want to see the program live on for a long time.

   Aug 26th, 2008

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5. Philip Hennen

   Good point to clarify suburban sprawl as compared to intelligent urban density. Part of what we’re talking about here is the propensity to devour vast areas of living earth for the sake of being able to drive our cars anywhere and everywhere. (And to just have more and more of all kinds of “stuff” we don’t need, and don’t even get much real pleasure from.)

   But even densely built and populated, intelligently designed, urban areas can benefit from trees in the right places.

   Aug 26th, 2008

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6. Suzette Watkins

   I say since too hot for walking tour that KB at http://www.fortworthology.com give coffee talk on urban sprawl, urbanization and share with us (who are not as educated on the subjects at hand as KB) some food for thought.
   http://fortworthology.com/2008/08/13/another-walking-tour/

   example: trees, concrete & architecture

   Aug 26th, 2008

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7. Juniper

   One of my favorite poems from my childhood, when my mother would read to me before going to bed. It’s been in my head all week…..

   I THINK that I shall never see
   A poem lovely as a tree.

   A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
   Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;

   A tree that looks at God all day, 5
   And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

   A tree that may in summer wear
   A nest of robins in her hair;

   Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
   Who intimately lives with rain. 10

   Poems are made by fools like me,
   But only God can make a tree.
   - Joyce Kilmer

   Aug 26th, 2008

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