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URBAN FOREST COMMISSION
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EAB Citizen Awareness & Monitoring Program
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(Click logo to see the EAB webpage.)
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HISTORY
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The Boone County Urban Forest Commission was established by the Boone County Fiscal
Court in 1994 under the direction of the Boone County Conservation District in order
to protect trees and forests in the county because they are essential to the present
and future health, safety and welfare of all citizens. In 1996, a resolution was
adopted by the Boone County Fiscal Court authorizing the Boone County Conservation
District to review, assist and oversee all activities of the Boone County Urban
Forest Commission. In 2001, another resolution was adopted designating the Boone
County Planning Commission to manage the Board's activities. |
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MISSION STATEMENT
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The mission of the Boone County Urban Forest Commission is to create an awareness
in Boone County about the value of forests and forest management in plans for parks,
public lands and commercial property developments in order to improve the quality
of life for the county's citizens. The Commission acts as a resource for county
government, citizens and businesses to facilitate the merging of man-made and natural
environments so that both are accommodated and valued in the process. Here are some
of the ways we can accomplish this mission:
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01) Provide educational resources, materials and workshops;
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02) Serve as a clearinghouse for information about urban forestry;
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03) Obtain grants and other funding for beautification and conservation projects
on the county's public lands;
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04) Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas among citizens, businesses, public
services, environmental organizations, developers, businesses and county government;
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05) Encourage responsible land development, especially on the county's public lands;
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06) Promote programs which encourage citizens to become better stewards of our natural
resources, such as leaf composting and recycling;
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07) Coordinate activities with municipal tree commissions within the county and
Northern Kentucky;
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08) Assist county and state agencies in their conservation work. |
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ORGANIZATION
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The Boone County Urban Forest Commission is made up of 7 members appointed by the
Judge-Executive of the Boone County Fiscal Court. The term of each member is four
years. In addition, a Technical Advisory Committee assists the Boone County Urban
Forest Commission in its work. The Technical Advisory Committee is made up of representatives
from the Boone County Conservation District, Boone County Parks and Recreation Department,
Boone County Cooperative Extension Service, Kentucky Division of Forestry, Boone
County Planning Commission, Boone County Historic Preservation Review Board, Boone
County Public Works Department and the Boone County School District.
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The Urban Forest Commission is charged with the responsibility to develop, update
and submit to the Fiscal Court for their approval, a plan to address the preservation,
maintenance and expansion of the urban forest. Such a plan would include recommendations
for the care, planting and replanting or removal of trees, shrubs and other vegetation
in parks, along streets and in other public areas. The plan is also to include a
program for public information and participation and for budgeting. In addition,
the Urban Forest Commission advises groups on new or revised legislation or regulations
concerning landscaping and preservation of vegetation on public property in Boone
County. In addition, the Urban Forest Commission oversees many demonstration projects. |
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MEETINGS AND MEMBERSHIP
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The Boone County Urban Forest Commission meets on the fourth Monday every month
at 5:00 p.m. in the office of the Boone County Planning Commission located at 2950
Washington Street, Burlington, Kentucky.
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Urban Forest
Commission Members:
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Technical Advisory
Committee Members:
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Jack Lundy, Chairman
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Kevin P. Costello, AICP
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Jim Brannon, Secretary
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Mark Jacobs, Conservation Technician
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Ray Merkel, Treasurer
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Mike Klahr, Extension Agent
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Walter Bonvell
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Kris Stone, Horticulturist
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Tim Ferguson
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Jenny Gulick
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PAST AND CURRENT PROJECTS
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01) Phases I and II, Burlington Landscaping & Entrance Sign Project ($8,600)
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02) Central Park Arboretum Label Project ($3,000)
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03) Phase III, Burlington Landscaping Project (Burlington Elementary School) ($17,757)
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04) Phase I, Burlington Town Plan Streetscape Project ($20,000)
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05) Walton School Road Project ($3,500)
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06) Phases I - IV, Hopeful Church Road Project ($49,231)
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07) Children's Garden - Central Park Arboretum ($2,500)
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08) Boone County Urban Forest Commission Strategic Plan ($2,400)
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09) Phase II, Burlington Town Plan Streetscape Project ($20,000)
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10) Phase III, Burlington Town Plan Streetscape Project & KY 18 Master Landscaping
Plan ($15,000)
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11) New U.S. 42 Master Landscaping Plan & Phase I ($20,000)
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12) New US 42 Master Landscaping Plan, Phase II ($35,000)
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13) KY 18 Master Landscaping Plan, Phase I ($15,000)
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14) New US 42 Master Landscaping Plan, Phase III ($50,000) |
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VALUE OF THE BOARD'S WORK
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Trees are an invaluable physiological counterpart to the human environment. They
absorb a high percentage of carbon dioxide and return oxygen which is a vital ingredient
of life. Trees are a valuable asset that positively impact Boone County economically,
as well as add to the beauty of the county. Trees conserve energy by providing shade,
filtering air, stabilizing soil thus preventing erosion, and provide shelter for
the wildlife. Thus, the Boone County Urban Forest Commission's work seeks to foster
and promote beautiful and ecologically healthy environments in Boone County's public
lands by working in cooperation with the county's governmental agencies and to encourage
responsible environmental stewardship by government and business throughout the
county. |
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GRANT AWARDS
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2007 - $4,000 from the Kentucky Division of Forestry - Boone County Champion Tree
Program
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2006 - $1,000 from the Northern Kentucky Urban & Community Forestry Council - Burlington
Tree Inventory and Walking Tour Brochure
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2003 - $1,200 from the Northern Kentucky Urban & Forestry Council - Strategic Plan
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1999 - $2,500 from the Northern Kentucky Urban & Forestry Council - Boone County
Arboretum Tree Tagging Project |
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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