The Meskwaka Tree Project: Ten Years of Community Forestry Volunteer Development

Authors

Robert M. Ricard, University of Connecticut Cooperative Extension SystemFollow

Volume

43

Issue

6

Abstract

Connecticut is highly urbanized, with dense tree cover, and this produces tree-versus-people conflicts that include public safety issues. Yet communities lack sufficient resources to develop community forestry programs. This article reports on the development, implementation, and outcomes of the Meskwaka Tree Project, an outreach education program for community forestry volunteers developed based on Roger's Diffusion of Innovations communications model. In 1992, the Meskwaka Tree Project began to equip community volunteers with the knowledge, skills, and contacts needed to create or improve community forestry programs and address public tree issues. Data shows that Meskwaka-trained volunteers helped conserve public trees and improved public safety.

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Recommended Citation

Ricard, R. M. (2005). The Meskwaka Tree Project: Ten Years of Community Forestry Volunteer Development. The Journal of Extension, 43(6), Article 21. https://open.clemson.edu/joe/vol43/iss6/21