Greetings!
As we move closer to Spring, Tulsans will find more days to spend outdoors enjoying the mild weather, but the extent of damage to our urban tree canopy will become more evident. Our estimates indicate at least 10,000 trees were critically damaged by the December ice storm, and many of those are in public parks.
The good news is we have launched a project, “20,000 by 2010,” to begin to re-green Tulsa. Councilor Cason Carter and Up With Trees Executive Director Anna America helped me announce this third phase of the storm recovery effort which will include planting in public and private areas, as well as neighborhood education on the value of and care for trees.
Over the next three years we have set a goal to raise $4 million in private donations for our trees. One of the great characteristics of Tulsa is how citizens come together and step forward to partner with government. ReGreen Tulsa has already received commitments totaling $1.65 million. Each ReGreen Tulsa tree costs around $300 and we challenge community groups, schools and churches to volunteer their time and contributions for re-greening Tulsa. For details on ReGreen Tulsa and the various ways you can get involved by volunteering time, donations or registering new trees you plan on private property, and a schedule of tree seminars, visit ReGreen Tulsa online.
Sincerely,
Kathy Taylor, Mayor
New Program to ReGreen Tulsa
with 20,000 trees by 2010
Last week, Mayor Kathy Taylor, City Councilor Cason Carter (District 9) and Anna America, Executive Director of Up With Trees, Inc. announced the City's new initiative to ReGreen Tulsa with 20,000 trees by 2010. The inaugural white bud tree, a Tulsa favorite, was planted at Tulsa’s first park – Owen Park, at the location of Tulsa’s Oldest Existing House.
“Our goal is to plant 20,000 trees in the Tulsa community by 2010,” Taylor said. “Thanks to planning completed in 2007 by Councilor Carter and the Tree Advisory Committee we have been able to quickly put together a plan. This plan includes planting trees in public and private areas, as well as neighborhood education on the value and care of trees,” Taylor added.
Tulsa Designated as ‘Preserve America Community’
First Lady Laura Bush, honorary chair of the Preserve America initiative, recently honored Tulsa by designating it as one of the nation’s newest Preserve America Communities. Mayor Kathy Taylor will receive an official announcement certificate signed by Mrs. Bush.
“Becoming a Preserve America Community confirms what Tulsans have known for many years – that our community has a rich collection of historic resources that are of interest to heritage tourists,” Mayor Taylor said. “We are especially excited about achieving this designation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation Conference coming to Tulsa in October 2008.”
Work on Ice Rink Started
in BOK Center
The BOK Center has begun work on the ice rink which will be home to the Tulsa Oilers. The rink will be standard NHL size, 85' x 200', and will be able to host other skating shows. The rink is covered for concerts, basketball, or arena football, and the ice can be melted when needed for certain events.
Read more on what's happening at the BOK Center
Debris Removal Going Strong
To help citizens of Tulsa dispose of the enormous amount of tree debris left from the December ice storm, the City of Tulsa has hired three contractors: one for hauling debris, one for grinding it into wood chips, and one to monitor the first two operations. The monitoring is important to ensure that Tulsa receives reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The hauling contractor, Storm Reconstruction Services, and the monitoring contractor, Solid Resources Inc., have worked for the past 28 days to remove approximately 1.4 million cubic yards of debris from city right of way. This is nearly half of the total citywide estimate of 3 million cubic yards to be removed. The amount of debris collected so far would fill more than 600 football fields with debris one yard deep. Cost of the operation so far is just over $5 million.
After the debris is hauled to disposal sites, the third contractor, TFR Inc., is grinding it into wood chips and will haul it away to be mixed with dirt to create topsoil for land reclamation. Wood chip quantities will be measured once hauling from the disposal sites begins.
The updated map is available on the City's home page
Volunteers Helping Clean Up Tulsa
City of tulsa firefighters are working with volunteers from the Mennonite Disaster Service to assist elderly and disabled who need help moving tree limbs from yards to the curb for pickup. The volunteers will be working this week. Senior citizens and tulsans with physical limitations who need assistance may call 596-2100.
City Offers Several Options for Paying Utility Bills
The City of Tulsa offers a variety of payment options to make it easier for you to pay your monthly utility bill. Did you know you can have your monthly bill automatically deducted from your bank account?
Visit our online Utilities Services for additional information about convenient payment methods.
Visit Utilities Services Online