Forum Regarding Tree Cutting at NAU

Environmental Caucus:

Many of you are aware of the concerns that have been raised regarding the planned cutting of trees in McMullen Circle, scheduled to take place in July. I want to call your attention to two campus forums that have just been scheduled for next week to discuss specific details of the site plan for the north quad revitalization project and to hear views from the campus and the community. Please attend if you can (see below).

Rod Parnell, Blase Scarnati and I submitted a letter on this issue to President Haeger and all of the Vice Presidents, as Chair, Associate Chair, and Past Associate Chair of the Environmental Caucus.

Note that the Master Plan refers to the Historic North Quad on page 23. Trees are mentioned here in two places:

1) “The precinct study recommended a tree preservation plan, including pruning and maintenance with an integrated strategy for planting future generations of trees within the quad landscape. This will ensure that there is always an interesting and valuable collection of trees at the heart of the campus.”
2) “The existing quad trees are part of the University’s Arboretum, whose stated mission it is to “preserve historic and interesting plants on campus, maintain and enhance the beauty of the campus and to educate the University and greater Flagstaff communities about these plants.”

You may also want to be aware of the article which appeared yesterday in the Arizona Daily Sun:
http://www.azdailysun.com/news/local/education/article_126edf0b-c039-5426-ba53-841e94264b53.html

If you want to visit the site before the forum, it is my understanding that the trees marked in red are, at this point, slated to be removed. I have not yet seen the site plan for the North Quad revitalization, so cannot speak to the rationale for the cutting of each tree. I do hope we can learn these details at the forums.

Below is information on the two forums:

Forums scheduled to discuss north quad revitalization

NAU President John Haeger has scheduled two open forums next week to discuss details of a north campus revitalization project that is scheduled to begin in July.

The forums will be held from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, and from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 6. Both will be held at the High Country Conference Center.

The forums also will be webcast.

The changes to the north campus quad are part of the university’s master plan, which was developed through wide campus participation and input. The forum will include presentations by representatives from Peak Engineering, master plan consultant Ayers/Saint/Gross and local landscape architect Pam Symond.

The group will provide a detailed overview of the project, including information about the planning process and a tree preservation plan that is part of the university’s master plan.

Additional forums also may be scheduled so that updates and information can be shared. Haeger also will meet with any campus group that would like to discuss the project, and said that all discussions are in preparation for a decision and action in the near future.

Thank you, and have a great July 4th weekend.

Shelley

Shelley Silbert, Chair
Environmental Caucus
Box 5765
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
(928) 523-7635
www.nau.edu/green