Tree New Mexico 2006 Annual Report

Organization History

Mission Statement
Tree New Mexico is dedicated to ensuring sustainable forests in urban and rural communities and natural areas through restoration, public education and advocacy.

Tree New Mexico (TNM) was initially formed out of concern for the environment by local high school students on the premise that tree planting is an important and worthwhile national and community effort and goal. Incorporated in May of 1990 and recognized locally and nationally, TNM is known to be one of the most successful urban and rural tree planting efforts in the nation. Since January 1991, our partners and volunteers have planted over 950,000 trees in New Mexico, and on Navajoland in Arizona.

Our Goals:

• Build strong and effective partnerships with all levels of public and private organizations.
• Plant and care for trees in forests, along rivers and in urban and community areas on public lands.
• Provide environmental tree-based education for citizens of all ages.
• Serve as an urban and community forestry advocate.
• Outreach to under-served communities.
• Build public awareness about the importance of trees in their communities and the nation.

Organizational Structure

Corporate Officers:

• Suzanne Probart, President/Treasurer
• Patricia Gooch, Vice-President/Secretary

• Patrick V. Holman, President, (Director of Facilities, Santa Fe College)
• Catherine Conran, Vice President (PNM)
• Jim Maddox, Treasurer (Owner, Jim's Automotive)
• Sarita Nair, Secretary, (Attorney-at-Law)
• Nancy Reisbeck, Member (VP Human Resources, Gardner Zemke Construction)
• Betta Eisenberg, Member (Eng. Tech, Intel Corporation)
• Jack Welge, Member (Business Consultant, Retired)
• Tushar Pattni, Member (Eng. Manager, Intel Corporation)
• Suzanne Probart, Non-voting Member (Executive Director Tree New Mexico)

• Robert and Patricia Gooch (Retired)

• Shari Griffin, Financial Director/Special Events

2006 Accomplishments

Introduction: Activities and Accomplishments
Tree New Mexico offers citizens education and training services and volunteer opportunities year-round. Volunteer activities include tree planting, tree care and maintenance, seed gathering and processing, office support and supervised classroom teaching. TNM also raises the public’s awareness about a myriad of tree issues throughout the state.

Tree New Mexico Programs – 2006

• Plantings: 40,890 trees were planted in 88 events through the seedling distribution (reforestation and conservation), urban, and riparian plantings
• Education: facilitated 57-classroom and 6 in-the-field training sessions, reaching 1,244 students at 49 New Mexico schools and other groups
• Voluntarism: 2,276 volunteers, students, training participants, and agency staff participated in our programs and events

Albuquerque TreeCentennial
Tree New Mexico’s TreeCentennial Program planted a living legacy of 3,000 trees for future generations in honor of the 300 years of Albuquerque’s history! To date, 2,981 trees have been planted throughout Albuquerque. We reached nearly 500 individual households in more than 90 neighborhood and homeowner associations during the fall planting season. More than 100 trees will be planted in Councilor Heinrich’s District 6 this spring, bringing the total TreeCentennial tree count to well over the 3,000 tree goal!

Plant a Million More
Over the past seventeen years, Tree New has engaged the support and participation of government agencies, Native Americans, nonprofits, civic groups, and volunteers in our planting and education programs. During the 2007 spring planting season, we anticipate the planting of our millionth tree and launching a new program, Plant a Million More. Our planting partners and volunteers – YOU – have helped make that happen! Thank You for helping us plant a million trees, help us Plant a Million More!.

Engaged a Marketing Consultant
The Marketing/Management Outline/Plan document identifies key areas for action and is the first step in the construction of a tactical action plan to be implemented in the first quarter 2007.

Financials

Major Grants and Contributions

• Albuquerque Community Foundation
• Alliance for Community Trees
• The Home Depot Foundation
• City of Albuquerque
• New Mexico State Forestry
• PNM Foundation
• Rio Puerco Alliance – BLM
• USDA Forest Service
• US Fish and Wildlife Service

Tree New Mexico in Service

• Holistic Management International
• Alliance for Community Trees
• La Semilla Institute
• Rio Puerco Management Committee
• NM Riparian Council
• NM Forest Releaf Tree Planting Advisory Committee
• Interstate Landscape Committee
• Albuquerque Tree Initiative
• National Urban and Community Advisory Council