Master Naturalist Opportunities with the Virginia Big Tree Program

Transcription

1 Master Naturalist Opportunities with the Virginia Big Tree Program Eric Wiseman, PhD Associate Professor of Urban Forestry Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech Lunchtime Continuing Education Webinar July 20, 2017 WebEx

2 Presentation Overview Brief look at the history and organization of the Virginia Big Tree Program Quick tour of the Virginia Big Tree Register Key facts on big tree measurement, scoring, and reporting Engagement opportunities for Master Naturalists

3 Mission Statement To promote the care and appreciation of trees big and small Photo credit: Alex Cassell (2016) Document the largest specimens in the state and provide educational resources to aid in their protection and care

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7 Dr. Jeff Kirwan Professor Emeritus Virginia Tech Dr. Eric Wiseman Tree Geek Virginia Tech

8 Tracey Sherman Program Support Virginia Tech John Peterson Database Programmer Virginia Tech

9 Big Tree Interns

10 Big Tree Volunteers

11 Our New Website bigtree.cnre.vt.edu

12 Virginia Big Tree Register An online searchable database plus an historical hardcopy archive (kept at Virginia Tech) Top-five* specimens of native and non-native tree species Currently no species restrictions for register entry 445 species and sub-species are curated currently Minimum size eligibility: 9.5 trunk circumference and 13 height

13 Virginia Big Tree Register 1,516 living specimens as of 7/20/ counties & independent cities have 1 or more entries All but 48 entries have been recertified in the last 10 years

14 Virginia Big Tree Register 54 current national champions 4th place nationally (CA, TX, FL, VA)

15 Virginia Big Tree Register

16 Virginia Big Tree Register

17 Virginia Big Tree Register

18 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

19 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

20 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree Eligible tree: 9.5 trunk circumference & 13 height Trunk 4.5 above ground line Vertical height from ground line to highest branch Average crown spread in two perpendicular planes Circumference (inches) (feet) (feet) (1 point per inch) + Height (1 point per foot) + Crown Spread (1/4 point per foot) Big Tree Score =

21 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

22 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

23 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

24 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

25 Measuring and Scoring a Big Tree

26 Reporting a Big Tree

27 Reporting a Big Tree o o o o o o o o Species name Measurements Locality name Address or GPS Owner info Measurer info Nominator info PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

28 Reporting a Big Tree

29 Engagement Opportunities

30 Engagement Opportunities

31 Engagement Opportunities Tree ID Manual Camera Map/GPS Unit Tape measurer Yard stick

32 Engagement Opportunities

33 Engagement Opportunities Other ways to get involved Youth outreach and education Adopt a big tree Advocate for big tree preservation Suggest 50 th anniversary activities for 2020 Give me your ideas!

34 Take Home Messages Virginia has a vibrant history of big trees from the Chesapeake Bay to the Cumberland Gap The Virginia Big Tree Program strives to document the state s largest trees and educate the public about them There is a network of dedicated staff and volunteers who help locate, measure, and report big trees Big trees are charismatic ambassadors for our forests we must engage ourselves and the public to enhance their recognition and care

35 Questions and Comments Eric Wiseman, PhD Associate Professor of Urban Forestry Dept. of Forest Resources & Environmental Conservation Virginia Tech Lunchtime Continuing Education Webinar July 20, 2017 WebEx