The Town of Twisp is the recipient of a $7,425 grant from the state Department of Natural Resources’ Urban and Community Forestry program, which will be used to update the town’s Community Forest Management Plan.
Dwight Filer, chairman of the town’s Tree Board, said the management plan has not been updated since 2004.
Filer said grant money would also be used to establish a “Comprehensive Tree Planting Plan” for the town, which he said “will guide us in our tree planting efforts for the next 20 years.” The grant will also support a tree planting project next spring, Filer said.
Filer said the town will be working with Jim Flott of Spokane-based Community Forestry Consultants. “He was the consultant that helped us write the original plan in 2004, and helped select and plant the American Beeches, the Autumn Purple ash, and the Kentucky Coffee Tree at the Commons Park by the Community Center,” Filer said. “He is one of the best and most experienced urban forestry consultants in the Northwest.”
Filer said grant-funded work will begin by the end of July.
Filer also acknowledged the support provided to the Tree Board by Judy Brezina and Tamar Beber, who both made noteworthy contributions, and to the Methow Conservancy, which also contributed to the Tree Board’s efforts.
DNR allocated more than $550,000 to 21 projects around the state ranging from urban tree planting to removal of invasive species.
According to a DNR press release, legislative funding made the number of grant requests funded and the dollar amount allocated for the upcoming fiscal year both high-water marks for the program.
