In the November/December 2023 issue of UCFS’s City Trees, Michelle Sutton, City Trees Editor, reported on strategies some communities are taking for Icing out the Heat as extreme heat bears down. The article details ways to keep urban forestry crew and staff safe when the temperatures rise, but tree care
work needs to continue. A few examples from communities in Georgia, Texas, and Louisiana include:
There was so much great information from communities that we couldn’t fit it all into City Trees.
UCFS was provided this excellent Heat Stress Risk Assessment from the City of Surrey, British Columbia. This document provides a step-by-step action plan for supervisors to assess if workers will be safe when the temperatures rise.
A second example comes from Portland, Oregon and is a Heat Safety Bulletin sent out to all Parks and Recreation workers. It provides an “in the moment” example of what to send when the temperatures rise fast and you need to get information out to staff on how to stay safe.
The Icing out the Heat story in City Trees is part of an ongoing series on the practice of urban forestry in a changing climate.
Monday, November 16 from 1:00-4:00pm
To join us, add the tour with your registration!
Before conference sessions begin, join fellow urban and community forestry professionals for a guided tour of St. Louis that explores the city’s urban forest through the lens of history, resilience, equity, and community investment. From iconic parks to neighborhoods experiencing both environmental challenges and revitalization, you’ll discover how planning decisions, natural disaster recovery, and community partnerships are shaping a healthier, more equitable future.
Our journey begins at Brickline Greenway near Energizer Park, where an ambitious green infrastructure vision is reconnecting neighborhoods and expanding access to greenspace. From there, we’ll travel through the iconic Forest Park to explore the legacy of one of America’s great urban parks and the stewardship practices that continue to make it a model for urban forestry and public space.
As we travel through St. Louis neighborhoods, we’ll view the city’s history through its trees. We will see firsthand how communities are restoring and reimagining their urban forests through community-driven initiatives that are reversing damage from recent devastating tornado and the legacy of historic redlining and its influence on tree canopy distribution.
Along the way, we’ll stop at O’Fallon Park to explore ongoing restoration and neighborhood revitalization efforts before concluding at Kiener Plaza Park, where thoughtful landscape design and thriving urban greenspace showcase the power of trees to create welcoming, resilient downtown environments.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see examples of these critical urban forestry practices:
More than a sightseeing tour, this is an opportunity to gain fresh perspectives, exchange ideas, and connect with colleagues who share a passion for building stronger urban forests. Come see St. Louis through a new lens and leave inspired with innovative ideas and practical insights.
Special Guests:
We’ll be joined on the tour by guest speakers from the City of St. Louis Forestry, Great Rivers Greenway, and Forest ReLeaf who will share insider perspectives on organizational collaboration.
