Minnesota Shade Tree Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Thursday April 19, 2001
Staring Lake Outdoor Center
13765 Staring Lake Parkway
Eden Prairie, MN

Meeting valled to order at 9:45 am.

Motion to approve minutes from the March 22nd, 2001 meeting were made by Mike Zins, seconded by Jeff Cordes. Motion passed.

Stuart Fox from Eden Prairie and the host of the meeting welcomed MNSTAC to the Staring Lake Outdoor Center and provided a history of the center. Stuart spoke fondly of Eden Prairies commitment to the urban forest and boasted the following: the meeting cabin was a WPA bunkhouse, the 12 acre property was acquired for around $50,000 in 1972 and became a senior center, this center is one of 13 conservation areas in the Eden Prairie that in total compromise about 2000 acres of parkland.

Jennifer Juzwik introduced Nancy Nermer, Research Coordinator for the Forest Service North Central Experiment Station and the speaker for this meetings feature program.

Announcements & Calendar
Minnesota Turk and Ground Conference will be held from December 4th through the 6th.

Mark Stennes announced the Stem Girdling Root (SGR) video. MSA will be producing it. Contribution include $5,000 - MSA, $5,000 - MNDNR, $2000 - Bailey's, and $3000 - MNLA. Total of $15,000 so far and potentially more to come. Made a special not of the strong support coming from the nursery sector...could we be getting the message through? First meeting to plan the video is underway.

Gary Johnson (University of Minnesota) reported that he qualified Shade Tree Advisors names are now listed on the TCA webpage.

June meeting is scheduled to be held in Hutchinson, MN. More info will come in the mailing.

Ken Holman (MNDNR) introduced the group to a publication from the Forest Service that he received at the National Urban Forestry Conference held in December. The publication "Annual Report on Urban and Community Forestry in the NE States" contains a 2 page summary of the accomplishments and status of each states urban forest that is submitted by the states to the Forest Service. Good things said about Minnesota! Check it out.

Arbor Day at the State Capital will commence at 11:00 am. All are invited and welcome.

Jenny Juzwik (USFS) and Sue Burks (MN DNR) announced that Oak Wilt mats are out and as of April 17, 2001 pruning/wounding of oaks should cease.

American Forests is coming out soon with the "Famous and Historical Trees" publication. Currently non from Minnesota, however ther are working on finding some. 

NCVAC - National Ad. Campaign. Time, NPR - graphics can be pulled from there.

Gary Johnson was recently honored by the University of Minnesota - College of Natural Resources. He was presented as the first ever recipient of the Richard C. Newman Community Impact Award which compromised of both a Walnut plaque and a monetary award of $2,500. The award called for someone who has created relationship within the University department and with outside agencies, and person who had created positive long term advances in forestry within communities. Gary certainly has done what was required of the award and more. He sets a high standard for the award recipients who follow.

Confirmation of President Elect
Memorandum passed out from the Constitution and Elmection Committee.

Lorrie Stromme passed out her resume. Some discussion followed.

Ken Sinoms moved that Lori Stromme, the canidate selected by the Constitution and Election Committee in accordance with Article IV, Section 4.1 be confirmed as President for a three year term by the MNSTAC membership in attendance. Glen SHirley seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Featured Program
Nancy Lorimer, Urban and Communtiy Forestry Research Coordinator from the North Central Service Experimentation Station, discussed the three major resea4rch areas chosen to work around and intergrate within the Forest Service. They are 1)Landscaoe Change 2) Forest Productivity and 3)Riparian Landscapes. Discussion and questions followed.

Agency Updates
MN DNR - Sue Burks - Articles put up on the STAC website covering Forest Tent Caterpillar and winter damage.

U of MN Horticulture dept - Mike Zins - New plants available this year include Mt. Ash, Rhododendron and other ornamental.

Committee Reports
Legislative Committee (Mike Zins) - 2 hearing in House and 2 in Senate. Some money is available but we may have to scale back. Next step is omnibus bill committee then to Governor.Positive feedback so far. Members of House/Senate that should be contacted are linked to the MNSTAC.

Constitution and Election Committee (Ken Simons) - Thanks to Mike Max for stepping up to fill in the President position.

Regional
SE STAC - Katie Himanga - Regional banquet went well.

Field Reports
None

Motion to adjourn by Glen Shirley, seconded by Bob Slator. Meeting closed at 11:30am.