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‘Tree-Huggers’ From Across NYS Convene at C.W. Post July 13-15
Department of Environmental Conservation’s 2006 New York ReLeaf statewide conference attracts top experts in urban & suburban forestry

Brookville, N.Y. – New York City’s tree census (the biggest in the nation), special soil that supports pavement but still welcomes tree roots, the use of trees to cool the “heat island” of Manhattan and the forestry of America’s first suburb, Levittown – these topics and more were covered at New York ReLeaf State Conference 2006 at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University July 13-15, 2006.

A program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation with funding from the USDA Forest Service, New York ReLeaf 2006 brought together the top experts in forestry from across New York State for two days of seminars focused on urban and community forestry. Programs included:

Trees Count! The New York City Street Tree Census – Conducted by more than 1,000 volunteers, it’s the biggest in the U.S.
Mitigating the “Heat Island Effect” in New York City by Planting Trees – Can trees reduce energy consumption by cooling the city?
Construction Projects and the Use of Structural Soil – It’s dense enough to meet street and sidewalk building codes, but still allows trees to spread roots and flourish.
Long Island Community Forest Projects – A review of community forestry restoration efforts in Levittown, Eisenhower Park, Roosevelt, Baldwin and Lynbrook.

Sponsors of ReLeaf 2006 included the Long Island Power Authority, Keyspan, National Grid, Con Edison, Bartlett Tree Expert Co., Lewis Tree Service, Davey Resource Group, Schichtel’s Nursery, Long Island Arboricultural Association, New York State Arborists, Trees on the Move, Nassau County Parks, Recreation and Museums and the New York State Urban and Community Forest Council.