Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
<br />Page 21 of 24 <br /> <br />• Katie Rose Levin, Board Advisor: Owner at ArborVerde & Founder <br />of Trees Durham <br />• Dan Ault, Board Advisor: Assistant Town Manager at Town of Cary <br />• Zach Czajkowski, Board Advisor: Founder & President at Brackish <br />Solutions <br />• Cameron Green, Board Advisor: Lead Litigation Attorney at <br />Whitaker & Hamer <br />26. Please describe any prior <br />challenges you have <br />encountered in past grants <br />and how you have worked <br />through them. How may <br />this impact this proposed <br />project? <br />In previous grant projects with organizations like the Arbor Day Foundation <br />and One Tree Planted, we encountered challenges related to tree mortality <br />caused by environmental factors beyond the control of our tree planting <br />experts. To address these issues, we implemented comprehensive <br />strategies including training volunteers on proper tree planting techniques, <br />utilizing tree guards for protection, and replacing any trees that did not <br />survive. For this project, we’ll continue using these successful practices, <br />focusing on strict adherence to our planting guidelines, regular monitoring, <br />and ongoing maintenance. Our aim is to ensure that every tree we plant <br />grows into a thriving canopy, providing long-lasting sustainability and <br />maximizing the environmental benefits of our work. <br />27. Please describe one to <br />three key partnerships/ <br />collaborations that add the <br />most value to the success <br />of the proposed project. <br />1. DOC NC (Youth Organization): DOC NC will play a crucial role in <br />the educational component of our project. Youths and teens from <br />DOC NC will collaborate with TftT experts to create engaging <br />presentations that highlight the environmental and health benefits <br />of trees, as well as teach proper tree care. By involving peers in the <br />education process, we aim to make the content more relatable and <br />memorable for students, fostering a deeper understanding and <br />commitment to environmental justice and stewardship. <br />2. Orange County School District Administrators: We are working <br />closely with Patrick Florence, the OCS Director of Facilities and <br />Construction, and plan to engage other key school district <br />administrators. This partnership is vital for maximizing benefits and <br />addressing concerns such as maintenance issues, leaf litter <br />management, and ensuring that tree placement does not interfere <br />with drainage or building structures. We plan to collaborate with <br />staff directly and provide comprehensive information on <br />maintenance strategies and solutions, along with tree benefits, in a <br />detailed pamphlet. The TftT team will be available for <br />communications and site visits with staff to support maintenance <br />efforts. We are also eager to engage with teachers associated with <br />Agricultural buildings and gardening departments to enlist their <br />support and integrate tree planting into their programs. <br />3. Community Stakeholders: We are actively engaging with various <br />community stakeholders, including sustainability staff from both <br />Orange County and Chapel Hill, various local volunteers, and <br />members of the Extension Master Gardeners of Orange County. <br />These collaborations are essential for aligning our project with <br />broader community sustainability goals and ensuring its success, <br />and our team is looking forward to significantly growing our <br />outreach efforts and connections with school community <br />stakeholders. <br />Docusign Envelope ID: D22675F9-86C0-429B-8CAD-74E02C6C68FC