Come join Mayor Ed Monroe and the City of Ashland Tree Management Advisory Board to learn more about the progress and success of Ashland's urban forestry initiatives and the direction for the future.

A tree planting demonstration will be done and staff members will be available to discuss tree planting and care issues.

This spring, Ashland planted 120 trees throughout residential neighborhoods, and the Department of Transportation recently planted 100 more trees on US Highway 2. The Tree Advisory Board always welcomes public participation.

In 2003 and 2004 the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College in Ashland requested and received cost share grants totaling $50,000 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for developing an urban forestry program in Ashland.

Since the urban forestry program's inception at the Institute, the City of Ashland has developed a management plan through a contract with a private forester, compiled a graphical representation showing the interconnection of Ashland's built and natural infrastructure, and involved the community in the urban forestry process.

For more information about urban forestry efforts at the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, please contact Mike Gardner at (715) 682-1481, or e-mail mgardner@northland.edu.