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8- 27FLIP Page 2 <br /> • <br /> There seems to be more willingness by the public to fund planting, not maintenance (gap between <br /> expectations and funding). <br /> There is greater demand on the road fund for things other than Urban Forestry. <br /> A greater emphasis on volunteers is being experienced by Urban Forestry programs nationwide. More <br /> volunteers requires more organization. It is difficult to direct their activities because a volunteer will do <br /> what they want to do. This increases costs for supervision (staff intensive) in follow -up costs. The benefits <br /> of volunteers are that it generates support for the tree program, increases ownership, and decreases <br /> vandalism. <br /> The Urban Forest is aging - -need a plan to deal with it. Increased maintenance and removal may require an <br /> increase in staff. <br /> Aging personnel - field arborists have a short-term professional life. At about 45 years of age, it gets harder <br /> to climb trees. Added to this, there is a national trend toward certification of arborists. Less out of training. <br /> High density housing downtown leaves less room for trees. The Urban Forest is losing canopy due to the <br /> pruning needed to accommodate structures. <br /> Public demand to be informed. Communication with the public is required when trees are involved. More <br /> interest in environmental protection, but it's hard to get consensus of opinion, or to know what's best for the <br /> taxpayer? Native trees are requested more often. The media accentuates actions. <br /> There is a mistaken belief that Urban Forestry staff are tree czars. It increases workload and takes time. <br /> Shows Urban Forestry's success at convincing others that OF needs to be involved in tree issues. <br /> GAPS, so far <br /> Developer contracts (new) <br /> Customer Feedback card- -not in use <br /> Frequency of false starts -- putting out fires <br /> Customer feedback methods - -no organized system <br /> Inability to maintain existing public trees <br /> No inventory of trees - -no way to manage <br /> Lack of inter - department communication standards - -e -mail, phone call <br /> Financial gap between community need and resources to provide service <br /> WHAT DO CUSTOMERS WANT? <br />