| SLDI Champion Tree Projects |
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Overview
In the United States, as with the rest of the developed world, the vast majority of the original forest is gone. In urban areas where over 80% of the U.S. population now resides, nursery-grown replacement trees die or perform poorly because of the stresses of soil compaction, cold winters, hot summers, drought, air pollution, salt and disease and insect infestations. The result is that the average life of an urban street tree is estimated to be only seven to eleven years. Champion Tree Projects seek to create sustainable urban forests. As the world population expands and an ever-greater percentage of the land area is developed, these projects take on critical importance. Sustainable urban forests are important because trees reduce carbon dioxide emissions, air pollution, storm water run off, and energy and medical costs, while improving wildlife habitat for biodiversity. Our quality of life and, yes, our very survival depends on the health of our urban forests. Given the extremely high mortality rate of trees in urban areas, Champion Tree Projects have initiated multi-stakeholder partnerships in order to develop and introduce a new line of high-quality trees. Champion Tree Projects and public and private tree owners and large-scale nurseries have partnered to produce and market tree clones, called "cultivars". "Living Libraries" of Champion cultivars are being established around the US in high profile locations to provide archives for future scientific study, public appreciation and youth education. It is hoped that research on the genetics of Champion Trees will yield answers that will enable us to produce superior trees which are resistance to urban environmental stresses. People, Planet, Profit People – Champion Tree Projects build public support for sustainable land development by preserving, propagating and planting highly visible and attractive "charismatic megaflora" which call attention to society´s need for a comprehensive urban ecosystem management approach. Given the proven ability of trees to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions, air pollution and storm water runoff, reduce energy costs, crime rates and medical bills, while also increasing oxygen levels and property values, experts promote healthy urban forests as a key component of sustainability. What we really need from the public is greater awareness, understanding and support for urban forests and ecosystem management. Planet – Champion Tree Projects address the need to develop superior nursery trees for use in urban landscapes which can resist the impacts of environmental stress over long periods of time in order for the urban forest to produce the maximum level of benefits for the urban ecosystem. Since trees have the ability to enhance biodiversity, our very survival depends on the landscape that is the infrastructure for our urban ecosystems. The future success of urban forests will be assured through identification and use of tree clones with superior genetic characteristics putting them in a better position to cope with the unique enviroments in which we place them. Profit – Champion Tree Projects use an innovative strategic plan to create a value-added agricultural product line which represents the largest planned commercial introduction of new trees in history. Champion Tree Projects work in partnership with tree owners and planting sites and with nurseries and research facilities to produce, market, plant and study Champion Tree clones. SLDI will promote Champion Tree Project sponsorships to underwrite the costs associated with launching this unprecedented commercial tree introduction. This non-profit/private industry partnership is an effective way to leverage partner investments for maximum results.
Champion Trees are defined as the largest individual trees of their species. These trees are being measured and counted. Champion Tree Projects are recording data associated with each of these Champion Trees. Furthermore, the Projects are collecting living tissue from each Champion Tree and cloning the trees in order to archive the "genetic fingerprint" of each tree for future research. Cloned replicas are being developed in tree nurseries for introduction as premium horticultural products into the marketplace. Champion Tree Projects have cloned over 70 Champion Tree species to date from all over the United States and have thousands of clones in production with partner nurseries. Even though the cloning and production process is a slow one, the Projects have numerous successful and high profile plantings to its credit in such places as the US Capital, 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, the World Forestry Center and the Florida Botanical Gardens. The true measure of the Projects' success, however, lies in the ability to garner public support for overall sustainable urban forestry practices. This point was made clear by the recent $6 Million reforestation begun in Miami with a commemorative planting of a Champion Green Buttonwood clone from the Florida Champion Tree Project. This is the largest urban reforestation in Florida state history and the Champion Tree Project´s leadership helped secure funding, assisted in developing program criteria and focused public support on the awesome task of restoring a south Florida urban forest. Public support is difficult to measure but is absolutely critical to success and Champion Tree Projects have generated unprecedented favorable publicity for sustainable urban forestry in mainstream print and television media. Basis for Replication Champion Tree Projects started as a state organization then evolved into a United States national organization and now is ready to roll out internationally by duplicating techniques developed and tested in local and regional markets. Innovation and Inspiration The Projects are the 1st concerted attempt in history to clone our Champion Trees - the largest and oldest living organisms on the planet. By using state-of-the-art horticultural technology to preserve the natural genetics of these old-growth forest giants, the Projects are inspiring society to leave a valuable legacy for future generations and to take an important step towards global sustainability. Champion Tree Project Partnerships Tree Collection Partnerships - Many individual, business and government contacts are used to find, identify, collect and transport genetic tissue from Champion Trees to participating nurseries. Tree Propagation Partnerships - State-of-the-art horticultural facilities have been licensed throughout the country to clone the Champion Trees. Tree Nursery Partnerships - In many cases, grow-out nurseries are licensed to produce quantities of landscape sized Champion Tree clones for planting into urban areas. Tree Planting Partnerships - High profile planting locations are secured through the use of a concept referred to as a "Champion Tree Living Library.” Media Partnerships - Relationships with the various media are developed and nutured in order to facilitate dissemination of information to the public. Industry Partnerships - Green industry partnerships are developed in order to effectively utilize urban forestry best management practices. Research Partnerships - Relationships with research facilities are developed to study the genetics of Champion Trees. Sponsor Partnerships - Individual and corporate sponsor partnerships are developed utilizing strategic philanthropy to generate benefits for all parties. |
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