It has been a challenging year for Trees Virginia, but as with most challenges the end result is a stronger organization. You may already be aware that Kathy Sevebeck, long time Executive Director for the Virginia Urban Forest Council, is no longer in that position. Due to a very tight budget year in both the state and federal government as well as decreasing membership we were unable to renew her contract for another year. Subsequently we have moved the Trees Virginia office to the Department of Forestry. Please note the new contact information provided in this newsletter. Much of her daily responsibilities have been shifted to various board members and to the executive committee. We have also hired a part-time office assistant who is very capable of ensuring the office runs smoothly. If you are ever unable to reach the office please feel free to contact me with your questions or concerns.

On a positive note, the council accomplished a tremendous amount of our annual work plan. The Richard Foster Scholarship was officially established at Virginia Tech. Over 300 individuals were educated at our workshops in Roanoke and Waynesboro. New this year in Waynesboro was a concurrent program with internationally recognized ArborMaster® Training, conducting an outdoor hands-on rigging class for over 80 participants. The anti-tree topping campaign was also launched in 2002. Highlights include the production of a PSA, produced by Adelphia Communications, which ran in the Martinsville and Lynchburg areas. In 2003 we hope to expand this program to other parts of Virginia. Numerous newspaper, magazine, and newsletter ads were ran all with the clear message that tree topping is bad for Virginia’s trees. Over 20,000 anti-topping brochures were printed for businesses, extensions offices and a range of tree boards. Finally a play was created and directed by the Front Royal and Warren County Tree Stewards aimed at educating school children about the ill effects of topping trees.

As we move forward in 2003 I hope you will continue to support the efforts of Trees Virginia as we strive to enhance the quality of life through stewardship of our Commonwealth’s urban and community trees! a

C. Dwayne Jones President, Trees Virginia