Events

Meeting with the Parks department on saving and planting trees within the city of New York 

We were invited by the Stearns Park Civic Association of Freeport, Nassau County, to develop a Tree ID and Care ‘Walkie-Talkie’ evening which was held last Wednesday, June 14. The neighbourhood features remnants of the Great Oak Forest that covered much of the South Shore of Long Island in earlier times.

Leading was a very qualified ISA and TRAQ arborist, Olivia Calandra, from the Nassau County Soil and Water District and a member of the Town of No. Hempstead Tree Board. Two additional certified arborists from Bartlett Tree Experts, a very old firm founded in 1907, assisted by working the crowd of
about 30 people answering questions. We were also able to view some shade gardens and native landscape designers were on hand to answer questions. This free-of-charge event also made connections for us with the South Shore Audubon Society (originators of the NYS bill called ‘Birds and Bees’ which is waiting for Gov. Hochul’s signature - let her know you support passage) and the Merrick Garden Club. We are hoping that ‘Walkie-Talkies’ will become another ‘Signature Program’ that can be offered to all of our ‘Communities’ going forward. It is adaptable in structure. Let us know if you have an interest in creating one.

A talk about native plants

Meeting of members to discuss marketing strategies 

Join Us!
All tree enthusiasts are invited to attend this year’s ReLeaf Conference at Hofstra University. This year’s theme is “Keeping Trees in Mind, Planning for a Better Tomorrow.” Trees can fix and mitigate issues ranging from climate change to stormwater control, and including trees in all stages of community planning helps maximize their benefits. We’ll hear from speakers on how to plant trees properly, things to consider for finding the right tree for the right place, things to consider when writing tree ordnances, and more. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas with leading urban forestry specialists and professionals.

Conference Purpose
New York ReLeaf is a state program promoting sound management and care of our state’s community trees. It is a cooperative effort coordinated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the NYS Urban Forestry Council (NYSUFC), with major funding supplied through the USDA Forest Service. The goal of New York ReLeaf is to create partnerships among tree professionals, citizen volunteers, educators, government, and the private sector. The annual ReLeaf State Conference brings together interested parties from across the state’s nine regions to share experiences, ideas, and new information.

Continuing Education Credits
Continuing education credits may be available for DEC applicators, Society of American Foresters (SAF), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), Certified Nursery & Landscape Professional (CNLP), and Landscape Architect (LA). Information regarding which credits have been approved for applicable presentations will be posted on the website as this information become available. Please check www.NYSUFC.org periodically for updated information or email [email protected] with any questions.

Conference Fees and Registration
The full conference fee includes refreshment breaks, lunches, tour transportation, the Friday night picnic, and transportation to the picnic site. The dorm fee includes breakfast and linens. Please see the registration form for details and pricing for conference registration (one day or the full event), lodging, meals etc. Please submit one registration form per attendee. Receipts for registration and dorm fees paid are available upon request. Register by May 31, 2023 for an early registration discount.

Cancellations
Cancellations must be made by July 12, 2023 to receive a refund, less any administrative costs incurred. Substitution of participants is allowed.

Additional places to stay in town
If you would prefer a hotel room to lodging in the campus dorms, there are several hotels in the vicinity of the Hofstra campus. For a complete list, please visit: https://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/hotels.html.

Campus Information
A map of the campus is available on Hofstra’s website: https://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/map.html.
Directions to campus by car and public transit are available on Hofstra’s website: https://www.hofstra.edu/visitors/directions.html.
Parking will be available free-of-charge in marked parking lots at Hofstra University.
Tourism information - make it a weekend!
We encourage you to check out all the region has to offer and make a weekend out of your conference. Arrive early on Thursday or stay Saturday afternoon to explore some of the sites before and after the conference!

Top 10 attractions in Nassau County: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/3623/Top-10-Attractions
The Town of Hempstead has several golf courses, both publicly and privately owned: https://hempsteadny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4295/Golf-in-Hempstead-Town-2022-PDF
Nature and hiking

Lido Beach passive nature area: https://hempsteadny.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Lido-Beach-Nature-Area-111
Norman J Levy Park and Preserve: https://hempsteadny.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Norman-J-Levy-Park-Preserve-110
The Town of Hempstead has a complete list of walking, biking
Jones Beach State Park https://parks.ny.gov/parks/jonesbeach/
I Love NY Long Island attraction list https://www.iloveny.com/places-to-go/long-island/attractions/
Arboretums and botanical gardens
Planting Fields Arboretum: https://plantingfields.org/hoursandadmission/
Bayard Cutting Arboretum: https://bayardcuttingarboretum.com/
Carlls River Botanic Garden: https://www.townofbabylon.com/471/Carlls-River-Botanical-Garden-at-Geiger-
2023 ReLeaf Conference Agenda
Thursday, July 20
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.             Sponsor and Vendor Exhibit Set up

3:00 - 5:30 p.m.             Attendee check in

1:00 - 3:30 p.m.             NYS Urban Forestry Council Board Meeting

4:00 - 5:30 p.m.             Pre-conference activity: walking tour of Hofstra’s Bird Sanctuary

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.             NYS Urban Forestry Council Members Meeting

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.             NYS Urban Forestry Council Members Reception

Friday, July 21
7:00 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast for overnight guests

7:30 a.m. Attendee check in opens

8:30 a.m. Welcome to ReLeaf 2023! DEC Urban Forestry and NYS UFC opening remarks

8:45 - 9:30 a.m. Selecting trees that thrive in urban landscapes with Vinnie Simeone - Director, Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park

9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Keynote Dan Lambe - CEO, Arbor Day Foundation

10:00 - 10:05 a.m. Exhibitor introductions

10:05 - 10:45 a.m. Break - please visit our exhibitors and sponsors

10:50 - 11:50 a.m. Concurrent workshop sessions

Session A: “Caring for trees in the urban environment” Rich Gibney, RLA, ISA - Principle, Gibney Design LA PC
Session B: “Tree ordinances” Alicia J. Ragusa, Esq. and a representative from a Long Island Community
Session C: “Chemung County BRIC Grant” Kristin Griffiths - Deputy Director, Chemung County Emergency Management, and Dan Gaidasz, ISA - Technical Coordinator, Urban and Community Forestry Program, NYSDEC
12:00 p.m. Lunch, and attendee check in closes

1:30 - 2:00p.m. Board buses for local tours, or break if remaining for on campus workshop

2:00 - 4:30 p.m.  Concurrent local tours and on-site workshop

Tour 1: Hempstead Plains. Tour this remnant of the grassland prairie that once comprised Nassau county and remains home to 250 plants including 6 state rare or endangered species
Tour 2:  Clark Botanic Garden. Tour this living museum and education facility featuring dozens of collections of plant families.
Session F:  Hofstra Arboretum walking tour
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Return from tours, break, and meet buses for transport to picnic

5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Travel to Jones Beach State Park and picnic dinner

Saturday, July 22 Morning
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast for overnight guests

8:00 a.m. Overnight guest check out opens

8:30 - 9:45 a.m. Concurrent workshops

Session G:  “Urban Tree Troubles? Test don’t guess” Mina Vescera - Nursery and landscape specialist, CCE Suffolk County
Session H: “How to plant a tree using best management practices” Vinnie Drzewucki - Urban forestry and horticulture educator, CCE Nassau County
9:45. - 10:00 a.m. Break, please visit our exhibitors and sponsors

10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Concurrent workshops

Session I: “The impact of invasive trees in the urban environment”
Bill Jacobs - Program Manager, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area, and
Abby Bezrutczyk - Conservation Area Manager, Long Island Invasive Species Management Area
Session J: Hands on Tree Planting Demo at the Hofstra Arboretum
Michael Runkel - Director of Grounds and Landscape, Hofstra University,
Joe Patrone - Assistant director of grounds, Hofstra University
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. “Infrastructure innovation for urban tree health and sustainability” Nina Bassuk, PhD - Professor Emeritus, Cornell University

12:00 p.m. Grab and Go Lunch available

1:00 p.m. Overnight guest check out closes, Conference ends

Educational event about Long Island invasive species

Join us for our second Walkie Talkie event in Merrick. We will stroll through Merrick Woods and hear from experts regarding native trees, and more!

Join Wild Ones Honorary Director Heather Holm as she explores the nesting habitats, life cycles, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of some of the most common native bees in eastern North America, while highlighting the pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees.

When creating and managing thriving habitats for native bees, many factors such as seasonal phenology, nesting strategies, and flower preferences must be considered—and with approximately 3,600 species in North America (north of Mexico), there are many unique aspects to keep in mind when managing successful landscapes for bees. 

Join us for an enlightening webinar featuring authors, Neil Diboll and Hilary Cox, as they present their latest book, "The Gardener’s Guide to Prairie Plants." This comprehensive compendium is a treasure trove of knowledge for gardeners looking to incorporate native prairie plants into their landscapes. Neil and Hilary will delve into the making and application of this essential guide, sharing rich historical and ecological insights about prairie ecosystems, all while showcasing stunning images of prairie flora. 

Chapter members met at Brooklyn member Rachel Goldstein's house in Kensington, Brooklyn. We perfected the technique for creating seed balls in anticipation of our upcoming public event several days hence. We pre-rolled about 100 seed balls and discussed chapter matters. 

On Saturday, December 2 at 1:00 PM the Brooklyn Community of our Wild Ones NY Metro/Long Island Chapter will be holding a family-oriented ‘Seed Ball’ making afternoon at the Bush Terminal Park, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn with the goal of increasing biodiversity at the park in two areas - one coastal, and one wooded. The wooded area is on infill with a lack of native species.

Learn about cold stratification, the importance of native plants, and how seed balls can be a fun and effective means of re-introducing native plants in our neighborhoods.

Seed balls will be created using locally collected native seed such as Evening Primrose, Frost Aster, Boneset, Bottlebrush Grass, White Avens, White Wood Aster, Smooth Aster, Bluestem Goldenrod, Woodbine/Virgin’s Bower, White Snakeroot, and Gray Birch. Attendees may also take home some seed balls that can either be tossed into neglected areas or one’s own garden.
The event is hosted by Wild Ones Brooklyn Community Leader Rachel Goldstein and featuring seed collector Patrick Over, in conjunction with Robin Kilmer from the PS 516K PTA.

Patrick Over is a seed collector from Greenbelt Native Plant Center, a native plant nursery run by the New York City Parks Department. In the seven years he has worked there, he has developed a passion for the flora and ecology of New York City. He strives to share with others what he has learned from New York's more than human world.

Rachel holds a horticulture certificate from NYBG and a Native Plant U certificate from SUNY Westchester, has worked as a volunteer at Greenbelt in Staten Isl., the Lady Bird Johnson Demonstration Garden at SUNY Westchester, and in her own native plantings in Kensington Brooklyn.

Organizing with Rachel will be Robin Kilmer, a parent, PTA member, and Wild Ones member who will involve students from the local school, PS 516 K. She has completed horticulture certificate coursework at BBG. Also a volunteer at Greenbelt, she grows native plants in containers behind her building in Sunset Park, and has also led neighborhood spotted lanternfly smooshing expeditions.

This will be a fun and educational afternoon. Don’t miss it!

NOTE: Do not navigate to Bush Terminal Park, as the main entrance is under construction. Instead navigate to https://maps.app.goo.gl/VDVgmxLdxJcbn4Lz7 . Park there, and walk along the path behind the chain link fence. Walk 0.3 miles to the bathroom facility in the park, past the athletic fields. Tables will be set up near the bathroom facility.

Meeting for organizations in the forest for all New York coalition