Announcements 

	Brian Loeffelholz distributed May's Urban & Community Forestry Update calendar.
	Katie Himanga reported that Mike Carroll has been named the new State Forester. The group agreed that Mr. Carroll should be invited to speak at a MNSTAC meeting.
	Gary Johnson shared a Pioneer Press article about Eagan's Grandfather Tree project. The Eagan Foundation, a nonprofit group, is trying to raise $55,000 to transplant a 27" diameter bur oak tree from one part of a city park to another. If the tree isn't moved, it will be cut down to make way for a new road. National Shade, a Texas company that specializes in moving large trees, will move the tree starting in late May. Moving the tree will take about two weeks and will involve digging a hole about 30 feet in diameter and 4 to 5 feet deep. Gary Johnson will document the moving process in photos. M/S: Glen Shirley/Gary Johnson: That information and photos about moving the Grandfather Tree be posted on the MNSTAC website. Motion Carried. Mark Stennes requested that the information be posted on the MSA website, too.
	Kirk Brown informed the group about http://www.communitytrees.org, a non-profit website designed to promote the planting and care of trees in community neighborhoods. The USDA Forest Service and the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) sponsor communitytrees.org. Kirk Brown contacted the organization and had MNSTAC, MSA, and Tree Trust added to the national database of U&CF groups.
	Mark Stennes announced that a 6-inch-diameter Valley Forge elm (National Arboretum origin) was planted at Lake of the Isles.
	Kirk Brown distributed copies of the new "Plant a Tree the Right Way" flyer.

Field Reports 

	Rich Hauer: forest tent caterpillars are out. Also, the MN Department of Agriculture is using specially formulated Bt for Gypsy Moth Control on an organic farm in Houston County. Trapping will monitor success.
	Mark Stennes: sawflies are out in the early instar stage.
	Gary Johnson: the big issue this spring has been the winter damage to evergreens around the state. From Gary's observations and reports to him, the primary causes are: An extended period of snow cover, especially late into the winter, combined with exposure to southern sun. The heat from the sun (direct) and reflection off the snow resulted in extensive desiccation of the foliage. As temperatures warmed, the dying needles have become more obvious temperatures warmed, the dying needles became more obvious.  Exposure to winter winds and subsequent desiccation.  Record amounts of deicing salts used not only on highways and streets, but also sidewalks and parking lots. The spray salt drift has caused extensive needle and bud death on conifers close to major roads. Gary also noted extensive and chronic death of turf adjacent to sidewalks and parking lots.
	The challenge is to prevent people from running out and cutting back the "dead" evergreens. The vast majority of damage has been restricted to the foliage. Buds, candies, and needles are already expanding and will cover the denuded areas after the dead foliage falls. The Star Tribune interviewed Gary for an upcoming (5/19) article on the subject of evergreen browning. Lorrie Stromme suggested preparing a media contact list for tree-related problems and topics. Michael Max called it the "Ask the Expert" list. Email Lorrie with suggestions for tree experts that the media can call regarding storm damage, winter damage, impact of flooding, etc. Katie Himanga already has a list of contact people for storm damage.
	Brian Loeffelholz: the DNR and Tree Trust received a federal grant for invasive species management ($160,000) and inner-city tree planting ($64,000).
	Gary Johnson: MNSTAC members should access the Extension Forestry website (http://www.cnr.umn.edu/FR/extension) to check out "Tree Planting I 01 " and "How to Prevent Storm Damage" - very visual information for the public. The MNSTAC website now has all issues of the Advocate on line. There have been 1,584 hits on this site in the last 10 days.
	Gary Johnson: the Nicollet Island brownfield planting site has been monitored this spring. There was a very good survival rate.
	Lorrie Stromme announced that at its May meeting, the MNSTAC Board discussed a new policy about Field Reports and Committee Reports. The policy is intended to facilitate the task of recording and preparing Meeting Minutes, now that DNR staff persons are no longer available to take Minutes at MNSTAC meetings. M/S: Michael Max/Gary Johnson: If committee and field reports are to be included in the Minutes, then they should be submitted to the President within 3 working days of the meeting. This policy is effective with the June 2001 meeting. Motion Carried.

Committee Reports

Legislative Committee 
Michael Max gave an update about the legislative process. The Forest Health initiative ($31 0,000/yr) has made its way to review by a Conference Committee. Michael urged MNSTAC members to contact Conference Committee members and urge them to keep the annual allocation in the budget. 

Other Discussion 

Brian Loeffelholz explained that Peggy Gabriel at the DNR would appreciate help sending out the monthly MNSTAC agenda packets, especially since her job duties have recently changed. Stuffing envelopes is time consuming. Lorrie Stromme offered to find volunteers to help with this monthly task. Using email for future MNSTAC communications will reduce mailing costs and time spent stuffing envelopes with the agenda packet. Members expressed their appreciation to Peggy Gabriel for her valuable work on behalf of MNSTAC.

Members discussed making an outreach to Tree Care Advisors (there are 220 of them now) to become MNSTAC members. TCAs can be valuable links to the community and volunteer resources.

Adjournment 
M/S: Mark Stennes/Michael Max: to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. 

Recorder. Janet Larson (thanks, Janet!)  

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