HomeMy WebLinkAboutDNRC (2)July 3, 2006
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND CONSERVATION
BRIAN SCHWEITZER, GOVERNOR SOUTHERN LAND OFFICE
STATE OF MONTANA
PHONE: (406) 247-4400
FAX: (406) 247-4410
Dear Mont~ma CommunitY,
AIRPORT INDUSTRIAL PARK
1371 RIMTOP DRIVE
BILLINGS, MONTANA 591~5-1978
I wanted to take some time to introduce myself to you. My name is Fred Bicha and I am
the new eastern region urban forester for the Montans DNRC. I received a degree from
the University of Montana in Forest Management and come to Montana from the
Colorado State Forestry Department where ! did more traditional forestry. My urban
forestry background comes from working for the City of Great Falls, MT several years
back developing their city tree inventory, all 30k trees. I am looking forward to serving
your community.
The goal of the DNRC Montana Urban Forestry program is to provide;
· Technical assistance and training for communities and tree care professionals.
Financial assistance to communities and non-profit organizations.
· Public education in support of planting trees in urban environments.
· Volunteer coordination assistance to encourage participation at the local level.
Some things that you may or may not be familiar with the DNRC Urban Forestry
Program are:
The Montana DNRC works with the National Arbor Day Foundation to promote the Tree
City USA program which recognizes communities across America that put an emphasis
on promoting urban forestry. There are four criteria to receive the Tree City USA
designation;
1. Establish a urban tree ordinance
2. Establish a urban tree board responsible for Caring for the
communities trees
3. Establish an active urban forestry program with an annum budget of
$2 per capita
4. Host An Arbor Day celebration
Currently, Montana has 37 Tree City USA communities including Billings, Broadns,
Colstrip, Forsyth, Glendive, Hardin, Harlowton, Red Lodge, Roundup, Sidney, and Wolf
Point in the eastern region of the state. Since 2001, the Montana DNRC has offered a
$500 grant to first time Tree City USA communities.
In addition to this grant pro~rar~ we offer other grants each year:
Arbor Day Grants ranging from $150.00-$400.00 to help promote Arbor Day in
your community. This grant can be used in numerous ways, from trees to tee-
shirts.
Urban Forestry Grants ranging from $1000 to $5000 (depending upon funding)
are awarded to help communities conduct urban tree inventories, write urban tree
management plans, w~ite city or county tree ordinances, and conduct tree planting
projects.
For more information on these DNRC programs please visit the following website:
www. dnrc.mt.gov/forestrv/assistance/urban
Some of my short-term and long-term goals for this program include:
1. Helping towns that are interested in the Tree City USA program become
designated.
2. Getting around to each interested town at least twice a year to see where the town
is at concerning urban forestry and see where the state can assist the town in
where it is going.
3. Helping towns that are interested in tree invemofies get set up and moving
forward.
4. Assisting towns with writing Urban Forest Management plans.
5. Provide tree care workshops on various topics.
I look forward to meeting with you in pers°n sometime in the near future. If you have
any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to call.
Forester
DNRC Southern Land Office
Airpmt Business Pan~
1371 Rimtop Drive
Billings, MT 59105
406-247-4403
fbicha~}mt.gov