TREES AND CONSTRUCTION: REACHING NON-TRADITIONAL AUDIENCES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH & SAFETY OF ALABAMA COMMUNITY FORESTS
Extension Education
Arnold "beau" Brodbeck
REGIONAL EXTENSION AGENT
ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM
Fairhope
Abstract
\r\n Over the past three years the Alabama Cooperative Extension System has developed a “Trees and Construction” program in Alabama. The goal was to reach and educate professionals in industries with the greatest impact on land development and in the best positions to take steps towards successful tree preservation to improve the health and safety of Alabama’s urban forests. As a result this educational series has targeted and successfully attracted the design and building construction industries in Alabama. In traditional development the scenarios play-out in much the same way. Someone builds, remodels, or expands some structure and forgets to account for the surrounding trees. Unfortunately the results are often the same, dead trees. This unfortunate issue has been a reoccurring problem that has come to light, as the result of homeowners calling Extension offices and professional arborists for advice on declining trees following the purchase of newly constructed homes. This program initiated in the winter of 2009 in partnership with a local American Institute of Architects chapter has grown in 2011to incorporated additional partnerships with Regional Planning Commissions, US Green Building Council Chapters, The Home Builder Association, American Society of Landscape Architects, and Auburn University’s School of Architecture. To date three planned conferences with over $16,000 in funding and various speaking invitations in Alabama and Florida have educated over 525 professionals ranging from architecture to arboriculture. Programmatic impacts include an increase in: the awareness of tree preservation techniques, awareness of the value of trees, and the number of contracted arborists.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: "Beau" Brodbeck Arnold, "Jack" Rowe William
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Arnold, &. REA: Forestry, Wildlife & Natural Resources, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 36532
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William, &. REA: Community Forestry, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama,