Community Forestry Program

Tree City USA - 2019 -  10th year designation

http://coloradotrees.org/

Three Year Community Forestry Plan

List of Best Trees to Plant in the Poncha Springs Area
2012 Best Trees


2010 - Congratulations are in order, the Town of Poncha Springs was recognized by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA community for its commitment to urban forestry. This is the first year Poncha Springs has earned this national designation. The Tree City USA program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service. Tree City USA communities must have a tree board or department, a tree-care ordinance, a comprehensive community forestry program and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation. The Town's Tree Committee met on April 28th and reviewed the Community Forestry Plan and inventory, and the Colorado Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for updates, and made plans for the Arbor Day celebration including planting of the Arbor Day tree and the free community tree pruning workshop. Tree Committee members are Pat Chambers, Angie Jenson, Verne Hayward, Ken MacNicol, Katheryn Hardgrave, Diana Heeney, Dee Miller, Wendell Stephen, and Megan Sweeney of the CSFS. The next Tree Committee meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental and education organization of nearly one million members, with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org  

2010 - Fire Mitigation
It is Fire Season once again, Residents with property that front the Little Arkansas River or are located on the South side of the Little Arkansas River are invited to participate in a Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) grant program to reduce fire fuels on their property. The CSFS has received grant funding from the USDA Forest Service that it is offering as grants for forest and fuels management projects on non-federal lands. ESF funds will pay up to, but not to exceed $470 per acre for either contractual services or for project work done by a landowner (at $20.25/hour rate), plus the cost of any supplies and materials he/she used. Capital expenditures are not authorized. Maximum Award $470 per acre. The "Emergency Supplemental Fund" (ESF) Program offers funds for the purpose of accomplishing on-the-ground projects that result in acres treated. The ESF Program will only reimburse for projects that were previously approved and awarded an ESF Grant. The ESF Program will not reimburse for any work done on a proposed project prior to ESF Grant Application approval and notification of grant award, or for previously implemented projects. In order to apply for a grant, enough land acres must be included as participants to meet grant guidelines. If you own property along the Little Arkansas River or on the South Side of the Little River and are interested in participating in this grant opportunity, please contact Megan Sweeney ASAP at the Colorado State Forest Service 719-539-2579 for further information and to sign up. Hazardous Tree Program You may have noticed the removal of 11 old Cottonwood trees from the Town Park, Town Hall and Town Right of Way. The Town received a Colorado Tree Coalition grant to fund this project. In an effort to maintain a safe and healthy community forest, these hazardous trees were removed, and new trees will gradually be planted around Town. The wood from the tree removal is free on a first come first serve basis, and is located at the dump across the highway next to the cemetery. Free wood chips can be picked up next to the Town's Public Works shop on Shavano Ave.

TOWN OF PONCHA SPRINGS
333 Burnett Avenue / PO Box 190 / Poncha Springs, CO 81242
mail@ponchasprings.us / Phone: 719-539-6882 / Fax: 719-539-6898