ReTree The District

July 2014

Project Proposal &Request For PartnershipsUniversity Heights Tool Library

RETREE THE DISTRICT

Table of Contents

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” - Greek Proverb

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This Request For Partnerships (RFP) is a comprehensive look at what it will take to “ReTree” University District. As a community, we recognize that we cannot move forward with this undertaking on our own.

Will you join in the effort?

A Neighborhood Challenge ..................

A Collaborative Solution ......................

Project Geography ...............................

Locating The Trees ...............................

Making It Happen .................................

What Will it Take To Get Us There ........

Partnership Opportunities ....................

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5

6

7

8

10

11

TOOLLIBRARY

UNIVERSITYHEIGHTS

PARTNERS

University Life & Services

University District Block Club CoalitionCouncilmember Rasheed Wyatt

University Heights Tool Library RETREE THE DISTRICT | Project Proposal & Request for Partnerships4 5

Problem Statement & Goals

Problem Statement

tree loss since the 1970s when Dutch Elm Disease began devastating the urban forest. Subsequent events, such as the 2006 “October Surprise,” contributed to further losses. Western New York has actively responded to these losses with the activities of ReTree WNY, community associations, and neighborhood groups. Healthy urban tree canopies

environments, increased property values, improved air quality, reductions in crime, and

between 2,000 and 4,000) and is demographically and socioeconomically diverse. The

A district-wide reforestation project would provide important opportunities for community building in

stereotypes, and concentrated poverty.

Project Description

A Neighborhood Challenge

A Collaborative Solution

Volunteers from the University Heights Collaborative, the University Heights Tool Library, and various block clubs have already planted over 100 trees on streets across the community by partnering with city-wide ReTree efforts from 2012 to present.

BUILDING ON SUCCESS

Project Description

Conceptual details of the project were thought out and the idea was shared with key stakeholders in University District

early discussions, a project concept proposal was drafted and shared with potential partners for the project to solicit feedback. This detailed Phase I Project Plan for ReTree the District is the result of the initial planning process. The plan is being shared with entities that may have an interest in seeing this community-led project succeed, with a meeting to discuss the project being scheduled for early March.

The University Heights Tool Library recognizes the unpredictability of life and understands that this project will change over time. Each partner will bring something unique to the initiative. Consequently, four update meetings are scheduled to both measure the progress of the project and revise the project plan based on changing

make subsequent phases of ReTree the District much easier to implement.

Community buy-incommunity meetings will be used to share the plan and solicit feedback and support. There are also opportunities for community engagement beyond these meetings, contingent on partner interest and motivation to run such events.

Fundraising will also be a focal point of activity during the duration of this project Goals for Phase I of Project

More Trees

Grow our urban tree canopy by planting 250 trees in the target area.

More Communication

Strengthen our neighborhoods through community Community

Engagement Goals.

More Partnerships

Use this as a template to build partnerships that will allow for cohmmunity-driven solutions to address quality of life issues.

SEEPG 9

Energy ConservationCarbon Sequestration

Air QualityIncreased Property Values

Lower Crime Rates

2012

2013


Project Geography

Region Locating The Trees

Street Stretch # of Potential Trees

Winspear between Winridge and MainWinspear between Rotary and Winridge 12Winspear between Rotary and Bailey Northrup 15Highgate between Main and Parkridge 29Highgate between Parkridge and Bailey 48Lisbon between Main and ParkridgeLisbon between Parkridge and Bailey 51Minnesota between Main and Parkridge 51Minnestota between Parkridge and Bailey 64LaSalle between Main and ParkridgeLaSalle between Parkridge and BaileyShirley between Cordova and Parkridge 28Shirley between Parkridge and Bailey 69Dartmouth between McCarthy Park and Bailey 58

617 potential tree locations in the Phase I area. We will not be able to secure permission from all property owners and there does not need to be a

safety, air quality, recreation, and property values). Consequently, the project has a goal of planting 250 trees within the Phase I target area.

There are a variety of planning tasks that will be required before a planting day can take place in early November. A database of locations where trees could be planted will

updated and made publicly available, while also obtaining property owner permission.

Once the database is updated, the project will need to secure the necessary municipal

and ties) will be ordered and/or obtained through donations. Team leaders will be trained in the proper planting techniques in advance of the planting day. Team leaders

Although most of the logistical planning for the day will take place closer to early November, it is important to note at this point in the planning process that the event will need a volunteer staging and refreshment area. Related community events could also take place in conjunction with the planting day.

Please refer to the Gantt Chart on the next two pages to see a detailed breakdown of the timeline and tasks.

The geographic focus of this Phase I Project Plan is bound by Main Street to the West, Bailey Avenue to the East, Winspear Avenue to the North, and Dartmouth Avenue/McCarthy Park to the South. The Project Plan also counts trees to be planted on the stretch of Bailey Avenue between Sherman Road and Winspear Avenue in front of the VA Hospital.

City Neighborhood

Using the Wendel-created ReTreeWNY database, GoogleMaps, and observations, a neighborhood resident identified all locations that may currently be available for street tree planting.

Phase I

Main

Bailey

Winspear

Dartmouth


Activities Complete JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV Key Contacts

Project PlanningInitial Project Planning UHTLFeedback from Potential Partners UHTLRedraft Project Proposal into Plan UHTLDiscussion among Interested Parties UHTLProject Announcement UHTL

In Progress OPP-A*, UHTL

Volunteer RecruitmentIn Progress OPP-1, UHTL

OPP-2In Progress

OPP-4

Community EngagementIn Progress OPP-5, UHTLIn Progress OPP-6

OPP-7

Fundraising IndieGogo Crowdfunding Campaign UHTL

OPP-8, UHTLOPP-9, UHTL

In Progress OPP-10, UHTLIn Progress OPP-11

Planting Day #1OPP-12, UHTL

OPP-14, UHTLOPP-15AOPP-15BOPP-16A, OPP-16BOPP-17, UHTLOPP-18OPP-A

CommunicationsPress Releases UHTLNewsletter In Progress UHTLWebsite Updates In Progress UHTLSocial Media Updates In Progress UHTLPost-Event Follow Up UHTL

MilestonesApril 1, 2014 Project Announcement DeadlineJune 1, 2014

July 1, 2014

August 15, 2014

September 12, 2014

September 12, 2014

October 1, 2014

October 1, 2014

November 1, 2014

November 1, 2014

November 1, 2014

November 1, 2014

Engagement Goals

Interact with 250 property owners100 Facebook Posts or Shares4 eNewsletter Issues2 Stories in Local Media

Making It Happen

* Please note that numbers in parentheses correspond to volunteer opportunities that are located on page 11.


CommunicationInternal communication will be coordinated by the University Heights Tool Library, primarily through email and collaborative documents available to the group and the public. Meeting dates and times will be agreed to early in the planning process to

Library. Project announcement and Planting Day press releases will be ideally issued by the large community associations in University District with participating partners listed on each. All partners will be invited to contribute to/noted in eNewsletters, and will be informed of any media engagement opportunities.

Item Amount Unit Cost Total Cost

Trees 150 / 100 10,950 USD

Food TBD In-Kind 0 USD

Wooden Stakes 500 1,500 USD

20 600 USD

Shovels 50 / 50 25 USD / In-Kind 1,250 USD

20 / 10 15 USD / In-Kind

Metal Tine Rakes 15 / 15 10 USD / In-Kind 150 USD

Sledgehammers 20 / 10 700 USD

Brooms 15 / 15 10 USD / In-Kind 150 USD

500 In-Kind 0 USD

Total 15,600 USD

Budget & Communication Strategy

What It Will Take To Get Us There

Partnership Opportunities

Budget OPP Task Description Ideal Partner(s)

A Update Meetings and Planting Day

Events that all partners should attend All Partners

1 Recruit Team Leaders Find “Team Leaders” to attend training/planting day

Service Clubs/Associations

2 Team Leader Training Organize and run bare-root method training for 50 Team Leaders

Tree Planting Organization

3 Volunteer Recruitment Find volunteer groups to attend planting day All Partners

4 Volunteer Staging/Refreshment Area

Organize and run staging/refreshment area for volunteers on planting day

Large Stakeholders University Groups

5 Community Meetings Place project on community meeting agenda Community-Based Partners

6 Planting DemonstrationsUniversity District

Tree Planting Organization Youth Service Group

7 Earth/Arbor Day Outreach Organize and run outreach event to raise awareness of Earth Day, Arbor Day, and ReTree the District.

Youth Service Group

8 Resident Fundraising Messages Assist UHTL in writing/asking residents for fundraising contributions.

Block Clubs Community Associations

9 In-Kind Tree Donations Donate end-of-season trees to ReTree the District.

Area Nurseries Garden Shops

10 Grant Writing Assist UHTL in identifying/writing grants for public and private funding.

11 Other Funding Initiatives Partner with community to donate/match/raise funds.

Large Stakeholders

12 Assist UHTL by providing volunteers for two University Groups Community Associations

13 Species ID and Locationplanted tree.


14 Obtain Property Owner Permis-sion

Obtain permission of property owners to have tree planted in tree lawn.


15A Obtain City Permits Secure required municipal permits Government Partner

15B Obtain Utility Permission Inform utility/secure necessary permissions Government Partner

16A Tree Planting Organization

16B Oversee Tree Distribution Oversee distribution of trees for planting day. Tree Planting Organization

17 Materials and Tool Acquisition Coordinate purchase and related calls for donations for tools, stakes, and ties

Student Volunteers Neighbor Volunteers

18 Volunteer Coordination Develop logistical plan for Team Leaders and volunteer teams for planting day.

Student Volunteers Neighbor Volunteers

VEHICLES TO GET THE WORD OUT

MailchimpeNewsletters Press releases

FacebookProject UpdatesPhotosFollow-up

TwitterProject UpdatesPhotosLive Updates

Grow716Event RemindersMaintenance RemindersReal-time Monitoring

Linear Park, Univeristy Heights

July 2014

University Heights Tool Library5 West Northrup Place

Email: [email protected]: 715-510-1745

Darren CottonExecutive DirectorUniversity Heights Tool LibraryEmailPhone: 716-857-0096

Aaron KrolikowskiManagerUniversity Heights Tool LibraryEmail: [email protected]: 716-579-0922

Project Proposal &Request For PartnershipsUniversity Heights Tool Library

RETREE THE DISTRICT

ReTree The District

Documents

Transcript of ReTree The District