Colorado Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium Announces Creation of Steering Committee for Transformative Initiative to Advance Climate Resilience
Community leaders to steer new collaborative initiative to advance regional coordination, equity, and climate action through urban forestry, and amplify environmental and social benefits of trees.
Boulder Colorado, November 2, 2023 — The Colorado Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium is thrilled to announce 18 distinguished individuals selected to serve on its Steering Committee, a pivotal step in driving forward the region's urban forestry initiatives. Comprising leaders from various sectors across the Front Range, the Consortium’s mission is to foster regional coordination, advance equity, and promote climate action through innovative urban forestry strategies for resilient and vibrant communities.
The formation of this Consortium and the appointment of the Steering Committee is particularly significant in light of historic Federal investments in nature-based climate solutions through the Inflation Reduction Act, which has awarded over $22 million to Colorado communities in 2023 for Urban & Community Forestry work over the next five years. Awardee communities in the Front Range include Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Greeley, Westminster, and Wheatridge, with additional funds available to communities throughout Colorado through competitive regranting programs to be launched in the future.
"As we embark on this transformative journey for urban forests and communities throughout the region, the formation of our Steering Committee marks a significant milestone," said Daniela Uribe, consulting project manager at the City of Boulder and a catalytic founding member of the Consortium.
Expanding and managing trees and forests enable communities to thrive and remain resilient in the face of climate change challenges, as well as addressing ongoing disinvestment in certain neighborhoods, will require bolstering social and economic infrastructure at multiple scales. The Steering Committee—representing community-based organizations, non-profits, private sector entities, academia, government, and philanthropic organizations—will play a crucial role in setting the direction and goals of the Consortium to achieve important climate resilience and community development outcomes needed in the Front Range.
"We are delighted to bring together a diverse and accomplished group of individuals who share a passion for creating resilient, equitable, and thriving communities through urban forestry," added Kirsten Maynard, Director of National Initiatives at Center for Regenerative Solutions.
Steering Committee Members:
Alicia Mountain, Community Partnerships Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation; Green Dot Coalition
Antonnio Benton II, Project Manager- Colorado Parks for People Program, Trust for Public Land
Austin Troy, PhD, Professor, Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Colorado Denver
Brad Paterson, Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency (CASR)
Cate Townley, Senior Built Environment Specialist and Healthy Communities Unit Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Chris Hawkins, Urban Conservation Program Manager, The Nature Conservancy
Cindy Chang, Executive Director, Groundwork Denver
Claire Morrissy, Regional Manager: Denver Land Conservation, Mile High Youth Corps
Dana Karcher, Project Developer- Central US and Rocky Mountain Regions, Davey Resource Group, Inc.; Board Member, Colorado Tree Coalition
Daniel Burcham, Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Colorado State University
Deandra Croissant, Climate & Circularity Specialist, Boulder County
Kevin Biehl, Associate Director of Career Pathways and Community Engagement, Second Chance Center
Lindsay Cutler, Program Director, The Park People
Lisa Romero, Senior Community Health Specialist, Kaiser Permanente
Micaela Truslove, Commercial Horticulture Specialist, Colorado State University Extension; Board Member, Colorado Tree Coalition
Matthew Puckett, Forestry Skilled Maintenance Supervisor, City of Colorado Springs
Steven Geist, Senior Consulting Arborist, SavATree Consulting Group
Carrie Tomlinson, Urban Forestry Manager, Colorado State Forest Service
The Steering Committee will meet monthly to provide overall guidance, establish a common agenda, and develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for urban forestry objectives in the Front Range region. Their commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation will be instrumental in propelling the Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium toward its goals. Steering Committee members have shared their excitement about the impact of this work:
“There are so many people and organizations doing great work in urban and community forestry, and this coordinating and capacity-building effort can bring all that work together to build the momentum and capacity we need to meet the many environmental, social, and economic challenges we face while centering equity and justice in urban forestry,” – Micaela Truslove, Commercial Horticulture Specialist for Colorado State University Extension in Boulder County, board member of the Colorado Tree Coalition.
"Just as the urban forest is a complex mosaic of vegetation and urban development, so is the management of our urban forest. The consortium committee showcases this mosaic of different disciplines that interact with one another, and I am honored to have a voice at the table.” – Matt Puckett, Forestry Skilled Maintenance Supervisor, City of Colorado Springs.
“Groundwork Denver is excited to be working in collaboration with multi-sector leaders to develop equitable climate resilience solutions for our local community. By centering community in climate solutions, we can create a green future and green economy that is equitable to all” – Cindy Chang, Executive Director, Groundwork Denver.
About Colorado Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium
The Colorado Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium is a collaborative initiative dedicated to advancing regional coordination, equity, and climate action through urban forestry. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the consortium aims to amplify the environmental and social benefits of trees, fostering resilient and vibrant communities.
For more information about the Colorado Front Range Urban Forestry Consortium and its Steering Committee, please contact: Daniela Uribe, City of Boulder, (202) 997-7127, daniela.uribe@colorado.edu