11-16-2017 Agenda and Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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If work records no not contain sufficient detail to track activities, data can be collect through auditing a representative sample of work days or other measurement units. Data on the amount of time required to complete various tasks may be self -reported or tracked by an observer. 8. Foster community support for the local urban forestry program and encourage good tree management on privately -owned properties. To achieve urban forestry goals, the local government needs the support of the citizens in the community. In most jurisdictions, the overwhelming majority of the trees which make up the urban forest are on private property. For all practical purposes, the care of these privately -owned trees is up to the residents of the community. A local government cannot completely control tree management on private lands, but it can take steps to promote proper management of privately -owned trees. Educational and incentive programs are positive ways to encourage good tree care within the community. It is important that local citizens understand the relationship between urban forestry goals and specific actions taken to achieve these goals. Otherwise, support for the overall program goals may not translate to support for the program itself. Programs to educate citizens about, and involve them in, the local urban forestry program will help increase public support and interest in the program. Voluntary compliance with tree ordinances is likely to be improved if citizens understand and agree with the management approaches implemented through the ordinance. ®YClinanCe prOVISIOr1S Provisions that address this goal include those calling for the formation of a citizen tree commission and the establishment of educational and other outreach programs. Conducting such programs may be the responsibility of either the tree program manager or the tree commission. Incentive programs, such as those providing for cost -sharing, grants, or loans for tree planting or maintenance, are also related to this goal. o Designate administrative responsibilities o Establish a tree board or commission o Help for citizens performing tree maintenance There are two distinct aspects to this goal, so evaluating progress requires two different types of methods. The first aspect involves changing the way that people think about the urban forest. Public opinion polling methods provide the best means to measure changes in public attitudes and knowledge. The process of assessing public attitudes can also serve an educational function in itself, by helping to keep urban forestry issues in the public eye. Beyond determining what people think, it is also necessary to know if new knowledge or attitudes are ti•anslated into action. For instance, if a city decides to use public education to discourage tree removal on private property, it is not enough to know whether public attitudes about this practice have changed. Success is measured by the degree to which changed attitudes result in a decreased incidence of tree removal. This requires the use of techniques that measure the extent of tree resources on private lands over time, including photogrammetry and ground survey.