Announcements:

Kirk Brown distributed Tree Trust's Annual Report and flyers for the “Teaching Naturally” workshop scheduled for August 14 and the Trade-A-Tree program.

Ken Holman distributed a list of the winning grant proposals funded for fiscal year 2001 by the Midwest Center for Urban and Community Forestry. Out of seven projects funded and $50,000 in grant funds available, Minnesota received four grants totaling $29,000. The four winners include: Janna Beckman, University of Minnesota, for a Practical Guide to Tree Diseases of the Midwest ($10,000); the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture to produce an educational video in English and Spanish about preventing stem girdling roots of trees ($9,000); Amy Kay Kerber, MnDNR, to produce an internet-based curriculum on Gypsy moths for grades 9 through 12 and college-level teachers and students ($7,500); and Bekky Hargrave, University of Minnesota, to produce a tree planting brochure ($2,500).

Field Reports:

	Gary Johnson: Data collected from tree failures in Edina after the June 10/11 windstorm was consistent with damage from previous years in Minnesota. Seventy two trees were examined. Several trees windthrew due to perched water tables. Most damage was predictable (and preventable at some point of the trees’ lives). Ranking of the pre-existing conditions that led to failures (other than perched water table): Decay; Included bark/codominant leaders, included bark; Dysfunctional root systems/stem girdling roots.
	Kirk Brown: The House Appropriations Committee approved spending bills for the Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, and related agencies on June 13. The U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry programs (U&CF) increased slightly to thirty-six million dollars for fiscal year 2002. This is $4.2 million above the President’s request. It is $400,000 more than FY 2001 U&CF funding, including last year’s Title VIII appropriation. National Alliance for Community and Trees, American Forest National Association of State Foresters, and other stakeholders asked Congress to support $50 to $57 million for the program.
	Bob Slater, MnDOT: Bob will be MnDOT'snew vegetation manager in District 6.
	Susan Burks, Minnesota DNR Forest Health Division, produced a report for distribution about Forest Tent Caterpillar damage. Members described the extensive defoliation from Duluth to Grand Marais and in other areas of Northern Minnesota.

Agency Reports:

	Gary Johnson: The spring 2001 edition of the Advocate is at the printer and should be mailed out in early July.
	Rich Hauer: Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Agency Report for June, 2001.

Committee Reports:

No reports submitted.

PROPOSED MnSTAC BUDGET FY 2001-02:
Ken Holman distributed copies of the proposed MnSTAC Budget for fiscal year 2001-2002 and answered members’ questions. Ken suggested that it would be helpful for future funding efforts to have a list of accomplishments by the University of Minnesota (1992 - 2001) that are consistent with MnSTAC goals. Gary Johnson agreed to provide a list.

After the database presentation, Mark Schnobrich described the optional tours that were available to members after the meeting and gave directions to the tour sites. The tours include:

	Oak Savannah, which is a 20 acre tract of land donated to McLeod County by John Miller. A protective covenant that runs with the land provides that the site must be maintained in a natural condition, with no picnic tables, play structures, utilities, etc.
	Hutchinson Compost Facility. This new $3,000,000 facility began operating in the Spring of 2001. It is a pilot project for composting household organics (kitchen scraps, bones, yard waste, etc.). The compost facility was promoted by the City Administrator, Gary Plotz and was partially funded by grant from the Office of Environmental Assistance.
	Memorial Park. Memorial Park is a place where residents can dedicate a tree to commemorate a special occasion or memorialize a person.

Adjournment:
M/S: Janet Larson /Bob Slater: to adjourn the meeting.Motion carried.

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