The Village of Avon, in response to a significant infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) in its largest park, will be implementing two DEC Urban Forestry Grants. Between 700 and 800 ash trees have been removed in Avon’s Driving Park due to this invasive species. There will be a public informational meeting conducted by the Village of Avon on Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 PM at the historic Avon Inn.
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At this gathering Brice June, DEC Forester and Chris Luley Ph.D., President of Urban Forest Diagnostics will be presenting the background on the EAB, the DEC’s Urban Forestry Program, the importance of a tree inventory and a tree management program and the benefits to the environment and the health of the community. The meeting will be hosted by the Avon Rotary Club.
The Village was awarded two grants from the DEC’s Urban Forestry Program. One grant is a tree planting grant in the amount of $50,000 to
plant 166 trees, with 30 different species, in April, as part of the rejuvenation of the Avon Driving Park. Some of these will be planted by
community members on April 20th as part of an Arbor Day event. The second grant in the amount of $18,000 is for an inventory of the Village’s street trees and the trees in the other village parks. Also included in this grant will be the creation of a management plan to protect and preserve our trees into the future. Dr. Luley will be conducting the inventory and developing the management plan for the Village. He along with Mr. June have been advising and consulting with the Village on this project.
John Marks, Chair of the Village’s Park Commission, stated “we are very grateful for the supportive and cooperative guidance and advice of NYS DEC foresters and their Urban Forestry Program. And without the DEC’s and Dr. Luley’s expert guidance we would not have been able to put together this comprehensive project.”
