Urban Tree Monitoring Training Toolkit

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1 Urban Tree Monitoring Training Toolkit Train citizen scientists to monitor recently planted tree performance U R B A N T R E E M O N I T O R I N G T R A I N I N G T O O L K I T Revised: Summer 2016 All those trees we planted...how are they doing? Collecting performance data is critical to the long-term success of urban forest management. For tree planting programs, monitoring young trees can provide information about program performance, in terms of survival, growth, and vigor. Researchers from the U.S Forest Service and other scientists have been developing standardized tree monitoring protocols. This training teaches citizens those protocols. Citizen scientists can go out into their communities and record data using the free PATreeMap software. Using citizen scientists for data collection can help to increase their tree knowledge, keep them engaged after planting day, and build support for urban forest management.

2 URBAN TREE MONITORING TRAINING TOOLKIT Pennsylvania Community Tree Map (PATreeMap) Pennsylvania Community Tree Map is an interactive, cloud-based community tree mapping tool to help communities statewide, better manage and grow their urban forests. This tool gives communities, volunteers and urban tree managers the ability to conduct tree inventories, monitor tree health and mortality, analyze the urban tree canopy and track tree maintenance and stewardship activities. The tool helps communities educate citizens on trees ecosystem benefits and helps communities make more informed land planning decisions. To create a log-in account: Visit patreemap Click on Sign Up in the upper right hand corner of the website and follow the prompts IF YOUR COMMUNITY IS INTERESTED IN RECEIVING TECHNICAL SUPPORT PLEASE TREEVITALIZE@PA.GOV WITH PATREEMAP IN THE SUBJECT LINE. I enjoyed learning about how our work contributes to the larger urban forestry picture. -Volunteer

3 URBAN TREE MONITORING TRAINING TOOLKIT Equipment you will need: Tablet or smart phone with the PA Tree Map application pre-loaded. KEEP IN MIND IN ORDER TO USE PATREEMAP YOU WILL NEED DATA AND/OR ACCESS TO WIRELESS INTERNET ON THE DEVICE YOU ARE USING. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE A DATA PLAN, YOU CAN CHECK WITH YOUR MOBILE SERVICE PROVIDER. The Bureau of Forestry has a limited supply of i-pads, safety vests and d-tapes that are available on loan for communities to sign out when conducting a monitoring project. KEEP IN MIND Safety vests (1/person) D-tapes Field guide cheat sheet (see page 7 for example) Tree species field guide (see page 7 for example) REVIEW SAFETY ISSUES DURING TRAINING. There are customizable templates of the cheat sheet and field guide available online, for free, here. THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO COLLECT MORTALITY DATA IS SUMMER, WHEN TREES ARE IN LEAF.

4 The checklist: Make sure the trees you are monitoring are in PATreeMap. Before you take volunteers into the field, the trees you will be monitoring should be in PATreeMap. You can upload existing inventories or go outside and geo-locate the trees yourself. Each tree should have an associated GPS coordinate and its species identified. For guidance on how to get started with PATreeMap in the subject line. Determine which trees you will be monitoring Will you be monitoring all trees planted in a given year? Or just a random sample? Give clear directions to volunteers as to which trees they will be monitoring. For example, a printed handout with a map (see page 5 for an example). Create a tree species field guide for volunteers (see page 7 for example) Use the template provided and adapt it to the species of trees you will be monitoring. During training, bring leaf samples. Keep in mind that volunteers are only confirming tree species using pre-populated tree species data. Secure a training location Is there a screen for the powerpoint presentation. Recruit volunteers Divide volunteers into groups (usually of 2-3) and strategically in terms of varying skill levels with using mobile devices, or identifying tree. Divide the trees proportionately among volunteer groups. Create a schedule for the day of the event (see example on page 7). Training lasts about hours. Develop a presentation to explain data collection Use the template we ve provided but personalize it, adding information relevant to your locality. See an example presentation here. Create training kits with all your materials. Print out copies of handouts (maps, tree species field guide, field guide cheat sheet, sign-in sheet, release of liability form if needed). Get refreshments for the day of the training. Provide plenty of water to keep your volunteers hydrated. KEEP IN MIND IT TAKES ABOUT 5 MINUTES PER TREE TO COLLECT DATA MANY COMPANIES ALLOT EMPLOYEES A NUMBER OF WORK HOURS THAT CAN BE USED FOR VOLUNTEERING. CHECK OUT CORPORATIONS WITH OFFICES NEAR YOU, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND SCOUT TROOPS. THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE DAY OF YOUR TRAINING. THE WEATHER SHOULD NOT POSE THREATS TO THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

5 U R B A N T R E E M O N I T O R I N G T R A I N I N G T O O L K I T Below is an example of a printed handout directing volunteers to the tree they are to monitor. Having a satellite image is helpful because it shows volunteers what they should be looking at when in the right spot.

6 U R B A N T R E E M O N I T O R I N G T R A I N I N G T O O L K I T Below is an example of a schedule for the day of the event. Activity Classroom training Time 11:30am-12:45 pm Project overview Why monitor trees? Brief discussion of DCNR TreeVitalize planting program Pilot program for new PA Tree Map system Introductions Name Favorite tree (or if you don t have one, favorite other plant) Location Species confirmation Practice with leaf samples Take picture Crown vigor Sort participants into pairs, have them vote on crown vigor rating pictures Trunk diameter Pairs practice on each other s wrists Stewardship: Mulch Safety briefing Discussion Errors Team assignments (hand out maps w trees for each pair) Field practice 12:45-1:15pm Walk to trees Group practice Practice data collection on 1-2 trees with 1 expert and 4 participants (2 pairs) Main field work Re-convene and report back End 1:15-3:15pm 3:15-3:30pm 3:30pm

7 U R B A N T R E E M O N I T O R I N G T R A I N I N G T O O L K I T Questions? Phone: TreeVitalize@pa.gov For a downloadable version of this training guide and other resources, please visit: Extra vigilance during the establishment phase, in terms of maintenance and stewardship, might have the most payoff for ensuring planting survival, and thus achieving larger canopy objectives. Lara Roman, Research Ecologist, U.S.F.S (scenariojournal.com/article/how-many-trees-are-enough) Partner Organizations Thank you to all the partner organizations who helped to put this training module together.

8 U R B A N T R E E M O N I T O R I N G T R A I N I N G T O O L K I T Below is an example of a tree species field guide. Find adaptable template online here.

9 URBAN TREE MONITORING TRAINING TOOLKIT Below is an example of the cheat sheet. Find an adaptable template online here.