Rick Roberts’ fabulous Letter to the Editor published in the December 21 NVN is a grand reminder of the Yelm Tree Advisory Board’s work, of which Mr. Roberts is a member..

From the City of Yelm website[click “Citizen Committees”, then “Tree Board”] :

“The City of Yelm is dedicated to protecting and enhancing its urban forest. In 1996 the City of Yelm created the Yelm Tree Advisory Board (YTAB). The Board performed a street tree inventory and evaluation, and created an ordinance for the protection of trees and vegetation in the City, and conservation during development. The City of Yelm has been a Tree City USA since 1996, and has been awarded the Arbor Day Growth Award for the years 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Tree Board also created the City of Yelm 5-Year Urban Forestry Strategic Plan, for 1998 2002. The plan was updated for another 5 years, resulting in the 5-Year Urban Forestry Strategic Plan for 2004-2008. The plan has been an invaluable tool for the City and the YTAB, insuring the care and maintenance of City trees, keeping the Tree Board active in the community, raising awareness of the importance of an urban forest, and seeking monetary support.
The Yelm Tree Advisory Board meets the last monday of every other month at 4:00 P.M. at the Yelm City Hall.

City of Yelm Tree Advisory Board Mission Statement

The Yelm Tree Board is empowered to:

Contribute to and maintain a comprehensive community tree management program for the care and establishment of trees on public property;
Promote proper tree maintenance;
Advocate no net loss of the communitys urban forestry canopy;
Make recommendations to the City Council concerning ordinances, rules, and regulations that pertain to trees on public and private property that best serve the interest of the community;
Obtain public testimony and/or input as deemed necessary;
Promote public education about trees;
Develop innovative and joint funding for an urban forestry program from a variety of sources.

Current Yelm Tree Advisory Board members are:
Kristin Blalack
Victoria Blazjewski
Glen Cunningham
John Graver
Shawn Batstone
Tim Peterson
Rick Roberts

Kevin McFarland, City Forester
Nisha Box, Assistant Planner