Tree Board presents strategic plan to town

As part of an overall goal for the town of Windermere to channel the unwavering passion of its committees, Public Works Director Tonya Elliott-Moore has been helping committee members to develop strategic plans.

“Each committee crafts its own mission and vision, setting clear goals to preserve our town’s unique charm and enhance its environmental, historical and recreational assets,” she said. “This collaborative effort empowers us to chart a purposeful path forward.”

The Tree Board was the first to complete and present its findings. Frank Krens, board chair, broke down the plan for the Town Council at its Tuesday, Aug. 13, meeting. 

The plan consists of a vision statement; a mission statement; a discussion of core values; an analysis of organizational strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats; goals and objectives; and action plans.

“We wanted to have a clear, documented roadmap for our work and the ability to communicate, track and evaluate how we were doing,” Krens said. “We wanted a plan we could update as needed and that we could pass on to those who follow us. We want the value of our urban forest and its need to be nourished and protected to be better understood and appreciated.”

TREE TALK

Krens has lived in the town of Windermere since 1979 and joined the Tree Board in 2013 when he retired from his career as an aerospace engineer. He became chair in 2023 when previous chair Susan Carter, who had served for several years, moved away.

The Tree Board is represented by seven members who, like all of the committees in the town, serve on a volunteer basis. 

The board’s budgets and projects must be approved by the Town Council, and Town Council Member Brandi Haines attends Tree Board meetings and acts as liaison to the Town Council.

Krens said the committee first decided to put together the plan earlier this year, when Elliott-Moore presented the idea at one of the board’s meetings. She suggested the board use municipal strategic planning expert Tom Koehler, who could act as a facilitator during development of a plan.

Krens said Elliott-Moore provides support and advice to the Tree Board and is heavily involved in implementation of its projects, as the public works team is responsible for the overall maintenance of the town’s urban forest. 

To devise the plan, the Tree Board held two, four-hour sessions in April and May, which were facilitated by Elliott-Moore.

In the plan, the Tree Board’s vision is “to safeguard and enhance the urban canopy, ensuring its vitality and resilience for generations to come. We aspire to be a respected and influential advocate championing the importance of trees, green spaces and sustainable urban ecosystems.”

The Tree Board’s mission is “to nurture and enhance the urban canopy within the town’s municipal boundaries.” 

The board members plan to achieve this through a multifaceted approach involving education of the community, preservation and protection, proliferation of the urban canopy, and beautification and aesthetics.

In the plan, the board outlined four goals: continuously meet the criteria for the “Tree City” designation, monitor development projects and programs and provide input to ensure consistency with Tree Board goals and objectives, broaden the types of forums for education and information dissemination, and be the proactive agent for specific initiatives related to the preservation and maintenance of the town’s tree canopy.

Each goal is accompanied with its own unique set of strategies.

For example, strategies for developing education and opportunities include community workshops and events, student programs, online resources, tree walks, and partnerships, while strategies for initiating projects and programs include creating a designation process for heritage and memorial trees, updating regulatory codes for mitigation, and developing a site plan for future planting opportunities

“The Tree Board did a great job creating a strategic plan,” Haines said. “The strategic plan is a living document that encompasses both short-term and long-term goals and covers everything from maintaining our Tree City USA designation to providing guidance to the residents and Town Council. It will be a valuable tool that will provide direction for both current and future Tree Board members.”

Currently, the other committees working on or who have completed strategic plans are the Historic Preservation Board, the Parks and Recreation committee and the Long Range Planning Committee.