The Arkansas Forestry Commission will promote the protection of urban and community forests by partnering with city and county governments and non-profits in the development or improvement of tree management programs, ordinances and land-use planning tools such as the "Green Infrastructure Approach" for public trees and forests. This will involve educating the public on the need for healthy forests, creating tree advocacy boards, encouraging the use of conservation development and tree management plans and supporting efforts to increase the number of cities in Arkansas recognized by the Tree City USA program. Activities should result in measurable outcomes that focus on improvement in forest health and in water quality and quantity. ... Read more
To determine if your community is eligible, see the 2008 Redesign Proposal Landscape Map at left (click on the picture for a larger view.) |
The Arkansas Forestry Commission announces the availability of $395,000 in Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Grants to facilitate Ice Storm 2009 recovery and restoration efforts in communities impacted by the storm. Communities within the following counties are encouraged to apply: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Cross, Franklin, Fulton, Green, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Newton, Poinsett, Pope, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren and Washington. (Download grant application)
The USDA Forest Service Southern Region has provided these funds for assessment, planning, recovery and restoration activities. The goal of the program is to create healthy, sustainable forests, and improve natural resource management within the community. |
Trees dramatically reduce the amount of damaging sunrays reaching the ground, which increases the amount of time you can spend outside without getting sunburned. Children spend many hours at school on the playground. Many school playgrounds have no shade which puts the children at risk for sunburn. Skin damaged by the sun during childhood is the leading cause of skin cancer in adults.
To combat sunburn and the risk of skin cancer, the Arkansas Forestry Commission has developed a program called S.T.O.P. (Shade Trees on Playgrounds.) |
- A Guide to Selecting Trees
Trees provide many benefits to both cities and homeowners. Properly placed trees provide shade, beauty, wildlife habitat and increased property value. Trees planted in the wrong place create problems. This guide provides information about native and naturalized trees to help you select the perfect tree for the space you have. The trees are in a list so you can easily compare their characteristics.
- Tree Selection Posters
Through an Urban and Community Forestry Grant, the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service prepared three tree posters that provide a selection of trees for lawns, streets and under utility lines. A hard copy of these posters are also available upon request.
Shade and Lawn Trees | Trees for Planting Under or Near Power Lines | Street or Urban Trees
- Autumn in Arkansas - Trees for the Fall Landscape
Trees not only provide shade during the summer, they also give us beautiful colors in the fall. This list will help you determine which trees to plant to give you the fall colors you are looking for.
- A Guide to Native Arkansas Trees
This native tree guide provides information on the tree's growth habit and preferred growing site, In addition, there are photographs of the mature tree, leaf, flower, bark and seed, as well as detailed information about the use of the tree. These can be used in the classroom for tree identification. There is also an activity sheet that teachers can use to teach students about trees and their uses.
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