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Bexar County Green PartySan Antonio, Texas |
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Conference Reveals How Cities Use Trees As An Environmental Asset
Contact: Jenna Terrez, Local Chair, San Antonio City Public Service, 210 353-2792 or Nancy Masterson, Texas Urban Forestry Council, 830 303-0332
2003 National Urban Forest Conference In San Antonio Showcases Best of Texas Urban Forestry Programs
San Antonio (June 17, 2003) - Community leaders in Texas are faced with urban sprawl, and yet are challenged to meet clean air, clean water, and energy needs. Elected officials, professionals, citizen activists, and others will gather in San Antonio in September as part of a national effort to focus attention on urban tree cover. AMERICAN FORESTS, the nation's oldest conservation organization, is convening the National Urban Forest Conference September 17-19, 2003, at San Antonio's Adam's Mark Hotel, along the city's famous River Walk.
The conference will examine the latest trends in public policy, technology, and action programs to engage communities in re-greening the urban environment. The theme of the conference, Engineering Green, will showcase ways that cities can build according to nature's laws. Nationwide, trees provide over $400 billion in stormwater, air quality, and energy benefits, yet this information is not often considered in the decision-making process at the local level. Programs will cover water conservation, air quality, new technologies, regulations vs. incentives, green infrastructure, social science and public health.
The four-day conference offers over 100 presentations, in-depth workshops, educational tours, an exhibit hall, and the Global ReLeaf Banquet. The Texas Awards Round-Up on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2003 in the Adams Mark Hotel Rose Garden Room will showcase the best urban forestry projects and programs in the state. The USDA Forest Service, Anheuser-Busch, and The Davey Tree Expert Company are the conference sponsors. Partners include the Texas Forest Service, The City of San Antonio, the Texas Urban Forestry Council, and City Public Service.
Conference program and registration can be found on AMERICAN FORESTS' conference website, http://www.americanforests.org/conference/. For registration information contact: 703-904-7508.
P.O. Box 15083 Austin, TX 78761. Phone: 512 451-6588. Fax: 512 453-0952. www.texasurbantrees.org
THE TEXAS URBAN FORESTRY COUNCIL is the only state-wide non-profit organization in Texas dedicated to providing a network of support for those caring for community forests in Texas.
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