Establishing Partnerships to Plant Community GrovesSM

Leland Milstein, Program Director, Alliance for Community Trees (Washington, DC)In 2013 ACTrees launched the Community Groves℠ program to improve the health and livability of neighborhoods by planting and caring for fruit and nut trees. Community Groves℠ includes case studies, a guidebook, and grants to guide the successful establishment of fruit and nut trees in cities nationwide.

Matthew Erb, Director of Urban Forestry, Tree Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)Tree Pittsburgh participated in the Community Groves℠ pilot grant program to plant edible species in several Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Several years later, the organization has established a partnership with Grow Pittsburgh to develop quality instruction and programming for residents around community gardening and general fruit and nut tree care.

Establishing Partnerships to Plant Community GrovesSM

Alliance for Community Trees Webcast February 20, 2014

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A national network of 200+ nonprofits and agencies that promote the environmental, economic, public health, and social benefits of trees and urban forests.

Alliance for Community Trees

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What We Do

ACTrees Programs support local urban forestry efforts• National NeighborWoods®

Month

• ACTrees Day

• Webcast Series

Learn more at www.ACTrees.org

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Forests for an Urban Population

Urban forests are critical for livable cities:• Air quality

• Water quality and management

• Energy conservation• Beautification• Property Values• Safety• Economic vitality

Photo: Urban Forest Map

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Trees and Human Health

Trees and Green Space improve physical and mental health:• Stress• Recovery• Attention disorders• Asthma• Obesity• Exercise

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Food Security in the U.S.

1 in 6 Americans is hungry• 14.5% of households are food insecure: at some point

during the year, they were uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.

• Over 5% of households experience very low food security: at some point during the year, because of affordability or access, they had to reduce their normal intake of food.

1. Feeding America

2. U.S. Department of Agriculture

1

2

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Food Insecurity in the U.S.

• Over 23 million Americans live in food deserts: urban neighborhoods and rural towns without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.

• 49 million people live in food insecure households.

– 8.3 million children

– Nearly 1 million children live with very low food security

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Trees for Human Nutrition

Photo: Kim Severson

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Introducing…

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Investigating Urban Forestry and Community Agriculture

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Community Groves℠ Pilot

+

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Community Groves℠ Guidebook

• The Community Groves℠ Guidebook helps nonprofits, community leaders, and residents plan, establish, and maintain fruit and nut tree orchards.

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Important Considerations for Planning Your Community Groves℠

• Site Selection

• Gathering Partners

– Nonprofit Organizations

– Civic Groups

– Businesses

– Community Gardens

– Government Agencies

– Schools• Special considerations

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Even More Considerations…

• Long-term Planning for Harvesting and Use

• Soil Testing

• Selecting & Sourcing Trees

• Planting Trees

• Care & Maintenance

• and more…

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Community Groves℠ Resources

• ACTrees.org/community-groves

• Guidebook

• Case Studies

• Grants

– Announcing 2014 Community Groves℠ Grants on Monday

– Available to current ACTrees Members – join or renew!

– Up to $2,500 to establish Community Groves℠

– 1:1 non-federal match required

– More details in RFP

– Deadline: April 11, 2014

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Community Groves℠ Come in All Shapes and Sizes…

Leland MilsteinProgram Director

Leland@ACTrees.orgwww.ACTrees.org

202-291-TREE (8733)

Questions?

& Fruit Trees

Matthew Erbmatt@treepittsburgh.org

Who currently has a fruit tree planting program?

Fruit Trees

Pros • Fresh fruit• Local fruit• Varieties• Building Community• More Trees!• Gateway tree

Cons• Improper pruning cuts!• Pest and Disease Issues• Varieties• Ownership of fruit on public

fruit trees• Rotting fruit• Hardiness • Time and labor

ACTrees People’s Garden Grant

• Partnership between Grow Pittsburgh/Tree Pittsburgh

• Identified 2 community gardens that we very interested in planting fruit trees

• Educational component for the public and required for community gardeners

• Began a public input phase to discuss varieties of fruit and nut trees and locations to plant

Michael Phillips • Provided a full day

lecture and field training

hugelkultur

• Both gardens located on former vacant lots

• All vegetables and fruits currently grown in raised beds

• Cost prohibitive to truck in large amounts of soil

Species

• Amelanchier spp. – serviceberry• Asimina triloba - pawpaw• Cornus mas – cornelian cherry dogwood• Corylus colurna – Turkish filbert• Pyrus pyrifolia – Asian pear

Availability, shipping, quality and time of year

Nursery Trees

• American chestnut hybrids

• American persimmon• Pawpaw• Hickories• Hazelnuts

Questions?

Thank You!

Please take a minute to answer the survey questions that appear at the close of this session.