The Waterfall Project at Greenwich High School is a public-private partnership working in cooperation with the Board of Education, the Greenwich Sustainability Committee, and the Board of Selectmen of Greenwich.
The Waterfall Project is co-chaired by Ashley Cole and Greenwich Board of Education member Joe Kelly.
Click here to read the full article on Greenwich Free Press.
By Urling Searle
The Tree Conservancy sits down with Dr. Kramer who came to Greenwich in 2019 bringing with him a wealth of horticultural knowledge and experience.
How does your background influence your work and how do you divide your time and responsibilities? To my work I bring my prior experience and education but also my passion. As a horticulturalist I am intrigued by the nature of all plants, as an environmentalist by the nature of native plants and the environment, as a humanist I am intrigued with how humans interact with nature. In my early career I worked in five different Olmstead gardens and came to realize an intuitive sharing of his vision of coexistence with nature as opposed to conquering it. As tree warden I use my ecological background in making planting decisions on town properties and rights of way that have lasting ecosystem impact. By state statute I hold tree hearings with public input and decisions that must be rendered. One part of my job is more formal and legal and the other more naturalistic and environmental.
Click here to read the full article in the Greenwich Sentinel.
On Monday afternoon the Tree Warden, Dr. Greg Kramer announced he approved the chopping of two 16″ Honey Locust trees.
“Having closely listed to the explanations as to why the two Honey Locust trees will need to be removed and understanding the process by which the remediation of the contaminated soil transpires, as Tree Warden it is my decision and have concluded that the two trees are approved for removal,” Kramer said.
However, the tree warden said that having heard prior and current concerns from residents and the Greenwich Tree Conservancy of the continuing loss of trees on the campus, he will require that four new Willow Oak (Quecus phellos) trees of no less than 3″ caliper be replanted on the Greenwich High School campus…[continued]
Click here to read the full article on Greenwich Free Press.
By Urling Searle
President, Greenwich Tree Conservancy
Do you know that you live in an Urban Forest?
You Do!
A quick online search on the benefits trees provide yields a remarkable and extensive body of work. In the US alone, trees are estimated to provide an annual economic value of $18.3 billion from their removal of air pollutants, reduction of energy use, holding of carbon and avoidance of pollutant emissions.
Trees are often the welcome patch of green our eyes seek when looking out a nearby window and the familiar backdrop of outdoor enjoyment with family and friends. The trees along our streets and in our parks, and backyards, make up what is termed an urban forest. A collection of woody plant vegetation growing within a city, town or suburb. In Greenwich we are fortunate to have an internationally recognized arboretum.
As the first leaves of spring unfold, they begin absorbing carbon dioxide transforming it into oxygen through photosynthesis. This produces a measurable spring cleaning of our air. When that rumble of thunder brings with it a downpour, trees retain great quantities of rainwater in the ground, allowing it to filter slowly into the soil where it supports life and fills underground aquifers. This greatly reduces the quantity of toxic chemicals that would otherwise run onto neighboring properties, nearby waterways and Long Island Sound.
When you cross over to the tree shaded side of a street or seek out a spot under a tree to relax on a hot summer afternoon you know how well trees cool the air. The shade created by trees lowers the energy bills of surrounding homes and offices. It also lowers the temperature in parking lots that otherwise act as large heat islands….[continued]
Click here to read the full article in the Greenwich Sentinel.
By Anne W. Semmes
Last Thursday afternoon, the major tree supporters of the Town of Greenwich gathered in front of Town Hall to pay homage to Cheryl Dunson, retiring president of the Greenwich Tree Conservancy (GTC). Standing beneath the branches of a pin oak tree planted on the front lawn the year the Tree Conservancy was founded 15 years ago, First Selectman Fred Camillo read his “Certificate of Special Recognition” to Dunson, citing “her dedication to and advocacy for the Greenwich Tree Conservancy which she helped co-found in January 2007, and served as vice president and president during her 15-year tenure.”…[continued]
Click here to read the full article in the Greenwich Sentinel.
As the Greenwich Tree Conservancy celebrates the 15th anniversary of its founding, the Board of Directors announced the election of Urling Searle as its new president.
Searle has served in a variety of GTC leadership roles, including as a Tree Party co-chair, Communications Committee chair, Program Committee chair and vice president, according to JoAnn Messina, the nonprofit’s executive director.
Among her community contributions, Searle has served on the Town of Greenwich Conservation Commission and currently serves on the First Selectman’s Sustainability Committee and the board of the Greenwich Land Trust…[continued]
Click here to read the full article in the Greenwich Time.
