T H E O F F I C I A L N E W S L E T T E R F O R U P W I T H T R E E S - FA L L 2 0 1 4
GREEN LEAF GALA AN EVENING IN THE ENCHANTED FOREST On October 3rd, guests were invited to enter the Enchanted Forest at Southern Hills, where the committee had worked to create a mystical atmosphere with large hedges, trees, and a beautiful flower wall. Young ballerinas from the Tulsa Ballet’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” posed in the entrance as guests walked by, and a Tree Walker meandered through the crowd taking pictures with patrons. Guests were also invited to take pictures in front of a green screen which allowed them to customize their photo on the spot. Thanks to the efforts of Gala Chairwoman, Laura Parrott, Patron Chairwoman, Bonnie Klein, and our Green Leaf Gala committee, this year’s Green Leaf Gala was a huge success, raising over $350,000 -- doubling the amount that the event has ever raised before. Committee members included: April Hastings, EJ Oppenheimer, Hayley & Patrick Bruce, Crystal Klein, Cassie Reese, Madison Baird, Jordon Didier, Erica Greenfield, Aaron Hunt, Erika Massey, Jayson Stroud, Yvette Tabor, Nikki Timmermans, Kate & Bryon Helm, Joy McGill and Blake Redden. Julie Chin and Rick Miller led the program section of the evening, and Rick Miller’s auction team exceeded all expectations, helping us to raise over $120,000 alone from that portion of the program. The band Hook played following the Live Auction while patrons danced the night away. Truly, it was a night to remember! Pictured here Susan Parrott, Bonnie Klein & Laura Parrott
SAVE the DATE! GREEN LEAF GALA, Friday October 2, 2015
IN THIS ISSUE JANE GOODALL VISITS TULSA
CURRENT UWT PROJECTS
CITIZEN FORESTERS
WELCOME FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – STEVE GRANTHAM There are so many things for us to be thankful for at Up With Trees. As you read the next several pages, you will learn about our enchanted Green Leaf Gala – the most successful event we have ever had! You will find out about our continued work on the Tree Downtown Tulsa project and our new I-44 beautification initiative bringing thousands of additional trees to Tulsa’s urban forest. All of these exciting endeavors are made possible by one person – You! Whether you are a volunteer, advocate or donor your generosity allows Up With Trees to carry out the mission of making the greater Tulsa area a more beautiful and vibrant place to live. Your efforts are changing this city, this region and this state, not only for today, but for decades to come. So, as we embark on our next planting season, we would simply like to say, “Thank you!”
Sid Patterson Founder (1921-2012)
Shane Fernandez
Michael Patton
Joe Howell
Bob Jack
Steve Grantham
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Executive Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bill Ainsworth Richard Bewley Jeffery Case Nick Doctor
Ken Harwood April Hastings Chris Hodges Terrell Hoagland
John Kahre Tim Nall E.J. Oppenheimer Laura Parrott
Cassie Reese Susan Scott Ron Walker Tom Wallace Paul Woodul
ADVISORY BOARD Bonnie Klein, Chair Ronny Altman Norman Asbjornson Mary Athens Bob Burlingame
Jim Bush Dick Cantrell Tom Clark Tim Colwell Jeff Cope Marke Crouch
Barry Hargrove Bob Hunt Joan Hunt Joe Klein, Jr Christy Lindsay-Nightengale Mia Oven
Susan Parrott Patti Schmigle Joe Schulte Jean Tate
EMERITUS BOARD Nell Camp
Alice Costas
Jim Costas
Tom Freeman
Marina Metevelis
PLANTING AND PARTYING WITH DR. JANE GOODALL Thanks to the efforts of Gala Chairwoman, Laura Parrott, Patron Chairwoman, Bonnie Klein, and Event Patrons, Reed and EJ Oppenheimer, Dr. Jane Goodall was able to be the special guest of this year’s Green Leaf Gala Patron Party. After attending the Patron Party, she asked if she could plant a tree with Up With Trees, and so on Thursday, September 4th, Dr. Goodall helped to plant a tree which she affectionately named “Treebeard”. We are so grateful for Dr. Goodall’s participation with our event and for the work she does to spread her message of living in harmony with nature.
“Trees provide the air we breathe…and still manage to take our breath away”
Watch our new video:
- Shane Fernandez, Board President
featuring Hornsby and fellow Tulsans at www.upwithtrees.org
“Believing in the Heartbeat of Tulsa”
CURRENT PROJECTS I-44 LANDSCAPE ENHANCEMENTS YALE AVENUE TO RIVERSIDE DRIVE A project between Up With Trees and The Tulsa Beautification Foundation This will be the single largest Up With Trees Project to date and will improve one of the most visible corridors in all of northeastern Oklahoma. Planting is due to begin this fall and will occur over a two year period. Plantings will include:
• More than 2200+ trees of all different varieties
• More than 27,000 square feet of landscaping
at the four major intersections
• More than 92,000 square feet of wildflower plots
This partnership with Tulsa Beautification Foundation will shape the Tulsa landscape for generations to come.
To get the most up-to-date information about Up With Trees, check out our new and improved website at www.upwithtrees.org
TREE DOWNTOWN TULSA A collaboration between Up With Trees, the Downtown Coordinating Council, and the Tulsa Community Foundation
2ND & BOULDER
1ST & CHEYENNE
3RD & ELGIN
1ST & BOSTON
The multiphase Tree Downtown Tulsa initiative will see more than 1,000 trees added to Tulsa’s downtown. This fall, Up With Trees will begin Phase III of this project which includes planting 280 additional trees. Upon the completion of the Phase III planting, over 500 trees will have been added within the inter-dispersal loop. Up With Trees has committed to water, warranty and maintain these trees for three years to ensure healthy growth for many years to come. Phase IV planning for the remaining trees will commence when funding has been secured.
REGREEN TULSA Over the past six years, the ReGreen Tulsa program has allowed individuals, neighborhoods, non-profit organizations and community partners to replant trees destroyed during the ice storm of 2007. In March 2015, ReGreen Tulsa will come to a close with a planting, commemorating the 10,000th tree. Through the vision of then Mayor Kathy Taylor’s ReGreen initiative, Tulsa will stay Green Country for decades to come.
CITIZEN FORESTER CLASS COMING IN FEBRUARY
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT-
KURT SCHNEIDER Kurt Schneider joined the “Up With Trees” Citizen Forester program in 2013 and since then has become an integral part of the organization. In 2014 alone, Kurt has helped hand out seedlings, participated in Tree-Via, helped build a parade float, and become a patron for the Green Leaf Gala. Kurt says, “I’ve had a longtime passion for trees starting with my high school neighborhood lawn mowing in a big tree area. I couldn’t wait to plant trees once I had a house.” Now, a confirmed tree lover, Kurt has worked with our staff to help survey and identify the many trees on our tree sites and continued to learn as much as he can about trees. Kurt is a great advocate for our organization, and says “Learning about UWT history, and planting, preserving, and promoting trees for the Tulsa area involves work (but you’ll love the before and after), fun (you can work on parade floats and scarecrows), and friendship (what a variety of volunteers are here). Tulsa area citizens should be proud of UWT efforts to beautify the parks, schools, highways and neighborhoods. Anyone should volunteer...you can tell your grandchild “I helped take care of that tree!”
Tulsa’s top arborists – experts from Up With rees, the City of Tulsa, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, the OSU Extension Office and Tulsa Community College – will join efforts again to offer our Citizen Forester Program to individuals interested in learning more about trees and the urban forest. Citizen Foresters will receive 16 hours of training, learning how to identify tree species, how to plant and maintain trees, and the value of urban forestry awareness and education. Participants will also participate in hands-on field applications as part of each session. The cost for the program is a tax-deductible donation of $65, which includes all materials. A limited amount of scholarships are available. Classes will be held 9 am-1 pm, four Saturdays in a row in February 2015 with a lunch provided by Up With Trees after class on the final session. To apply for the Citizen Forester program, download the Citizen Forester Application, fill out the online form on our website www.upwithtrees. org, or contact Up With Trees at 610-TREE (8733), julie@upwithtrees.org to have an application mailed to you. Class size is limited, so apply today.
SAVE THIS DATE
UP WITH TREES HONORS LUNCHEON
M A R C H 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 Celebrating Our Volunteers
CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR EARLY! The end of the year is special. It is the season of tradition and spending time with loved ones. It offers moments of reflection and looking ahead to the New Year. Perhaps because of these sentiments, many people choose to make gifts to their favorite causes in this season. Many donors donate appreciated assets, like stock, by transferring them to their favorite causes. By giving this year, you can receive an income tax deduction and avoid paying capital gains that might otherwise be due if the asses were sold. Join with other friends of Up With Trees who find this season a perfect time to give back. If you would like assistance on how to take advantage of current tax laws, please let us know. The service and financial advice are complementary through our partnership with The Advancement Group. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Lynn at 918-610-8733 or email Lynn@upwithtrees.org.
COMING IN JANUARY….. YOU…yes… YOU can be a part of the wonderful world of Up With Trees! Watch your email for details...
SAVE THE DATE! The 2nd Annual Up With Trees Tree-Via Event will take place on April 23, 2015. 8-10 players per team! Grab your friends and start planning the fun now! Watch your email in January for all the details!
JANUARY 16th–17th Tulsa Home and Landscape Show (Come see our new Booth!) 29th 2015 Membership Kick-Off Open House 6-8pm
DATES TO REMEMBER
FEBRUARY
Check out UpWithTrees.org for all the details and upcoming events in 2015
10th 12th–15th 26th
Citizen Forester Classes - 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
MARCH Seedling Distribution! Membership Event – The Survivor Tree at Circle Cinema HBA Home and Garden Show Up With Trees Volunteer Honors Luncheon **Watch for News on our Arbor Day Tulsa Celebration**
APRIL Seedling Distribution! 14th Tree Walks begin! 23rd Tree-Via Night
MAY
12th Tree Walk 28th Membership Lunch and Learn 30th Citizen Forester Picnic
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Tulsa, OK. PERMIT NO. 512 1102 S BOSTON AVE, TULSA, OK 74119 Address Service Requested