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Liam Genter
 
Joining the FCH Rotary breakfast meetings on Zoom:  open the link below, click on Open Zoom Meetings, and follow the prompts.
 
               
March 30, 2022
 
PROGRAM
 
16 members, including 4 on Zoom, and prospective member Paul Nealy of Fridley heard City of Columbia Heights Forester Liam Genter describe the benefits and challenges of woody plants (trees) in the urban environment and the role of urban forestry in their successful management in that environment. Genter reviewed the Dutch elm disease disaster of the late 20th century, the ongoing, even more widespread invasion of the emerald ash borer, and how Columbia Heights is working in the face of those problems to increase its present 35% canopy toward its potential 65% and to replant with a diversity of tree families. Genter’s answers to questions from the group provided advice for managing the members’ private trees.
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Thanks to members Kelli Bourgeois, Mark Grotewold, Erik Johnston, and Craig Malm, prospective member Paul Nealy, and spouses Pat Bourgeois and Liz Grotewold for working at SACA’s Hops for Hunger fundraiser last Friday.
 
Steve Klaers announced that last week’s mentor meeting attracted 17 Fridley STRIVE students, and thanked Josh Callahan and Greg Schraufnagel for attending. A field trip to two tech schools is planned for April. Fridley High School’s scholarship assembly is scheduled for May 19; members are invited to attend.
 
Golf Classic coordinator Greg Schraufnagel announced that this’s event will add an online silent auction. A brochure suitable for providing to potential sponsors will be emailed shortly.
 
President Don Archibeque announced that he will spearhead a summer membership drive with the intention of providing informal interaction with business owners in our service area. Specific plans TBA.
 
REMINDERS
 
The next Zoom meeting of the Operation Pollination group will be held Tuesday morning, April 5, at 7:30 a.m. Contact organizer Kristen Stuenkel with any questions at stuenkek@colheights.k12.mn.us. The link to join the next is https://colheights-k12-mn-us.zoom.us/j/86961226644.
 
Volunteers will be needed for the planned 49er Days Fun Run, which Bob Olsen will organize in May upon his return from Florida.
 
Speaker on April 6: Paul Bolin, Asst. Exec. Director, Fridley Housing and Redevelopment Authority