VENEMAN APPOINTS NEW MEMBERS TO NATIONAL URBAN AND COMMUNITY FORESTRY ADVISORY COUNCIL
WASHINGTON, January 19, 2005 – Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the selection of five new members to USDA's National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Their terms begin immediately and will continue until Dec. 31, 2007.
"We welcome the advice and expertise of the newest members of the council in helping USDA maximize the unique values of our urban forests for all Americans," said Veneman.
The new appointments to the 15-member council are: Beth Applegate, executive director, National Tree Trust, Takoma Park, Md.; Juan Carlos Cervantes, director of science and research, International Society of Arboriculture, Champaign, Ill.; W. Neil Letson, state urban forestry coordinator, Alabama Forestry Commission, Montgomery, Ala.; Suzanne Probart, owner, Southwest Growers and Interiorscape, Albuquerque, N.M.; and Bobbi Wallace, park resource section manager, King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Redmond, Wash.
Established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, the council advises the Secretary on the care and management of trees, forests and related natural resources in urban and community settings throughout the nation. In addition, the council makes recommendations to the USDA Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program on competitive cost-share grants that advance the science and practice of urban forestry. Members of the Council serve without compensation and dedicate approximately 100 hours each year.
