[{"_1":2,"_108":-5,"_109":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6019380,"mediaKeyId","5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122","parentId",5772679,"title","Norwalk Tree Alliance reports 122 plantings, runs citywide scavenger hunt; public event slated Sept. 27","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2756000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122&start=2756&end=2756","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122/thumbnail_2756000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6019380/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-Tree-Alliance-reports-122-plantings-runs-citywide-scavenger-hunt-public-event-slated-Sept-27","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019380-dd430e14b0a37d88f4e595e933f571eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519649&Signature=HR97qlrpBouJij2z~pFt9OXQaMo2UHqJN5l838f-4i6PwKULEXMuVmeNBiZYWoOAuhKIac49TrBzYnib3gjCkM8WseV6~28r4A3IpbDe4h2-47d~EKM5rQBtTr5weX5y5Q9mlQoPSe3PoWISRrxHJdVp1ot~MYYE8nlpf~iou2D4csOb684G3hGyAIfoAKB2BKNzCZqPYB1dywcm4KsQtNmGm58mfmLFNNEr0R3IZQqYppL9pEXLGxHb48ws1ExAOTBbWhUsmI4DsGjrG4x~SFUcfu51u05D9IcV3~eYZ5vWsptifnXhyruiC7C837sLvDZC-XUkQ4Y~x8zge~TUHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-08-26T23:18:42Z","article","Jeff Sherry, president of the Norwalk Tree Alliance, gave the committee an update on nonprofit planting and outreach on Aug. 26.

“Since last fiscal year reported, we have, a 122 trees in the ground,” Jeff Sherry said, adding that the alliance’s plantings are native species and have been recorded for annual Tree City USA reporting. He described a GPS-activated scavenger hunt running through local parks to engage children and families; participants follow hints to trees, answer quiz questions and compete for a prize.

Why it matters: The alliance’s volunteer plantings and outreach supplement city plantings and public education, expand community involvement in canopy growth and contribute to Tree City USA recertification and growth award applications.

Events and coordination: Jeff said the alliance will seek a table and bring trees to the city’s Sept. 27 public-works “Touch a Truck” open house at 15 South Smith St., and that the group and city staff are discussing how private or volunteer planting records could be shared with the city database without exposing private-property details. Jeff also described marketing and an intern’s work that developed the scavenger hunt and species education materials.

Discussion vs. decision: This was a nonprofit update and event planning discussion; no formal city action or new funding was recorded.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tree Advisory Committee 08-26-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Norwalk Tree Alliance told the committee it planted 122 trees in the last fiscal year, launched a GPS-based tree scavenger hunt and will participate in the city’s Public Works 'Touch a Truck' open house on Sept. 27; the alliance and city discussed coordinating private-planting records with the city inventory.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6019385,"Norwalk completes half of public tree inventory; consultant identified 2,500 potential planting sites",1895,503000,2398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122&start=503&end=2398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122/thumbnail_503000.jpg","/articles/6019385/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-completes-half-of-public-tree-inventory-consultant-identified-2500-potential-planting-sites","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019385-9ef38d37cd11d9c63691276485b8f661/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519649&Signature=jmZ2cy5rI2ML1aCED7FISl079kLuXKHwLeKEfZimAoUh7dLaf8q~Vngt~RJAzKqg8mHw1NY1g4xZ5Z3MKlVLTDaSdSPs~gg0JfiqkLd7jT6hYbyaXXt699IpbDIOq2rJeTQtcAA9arjGnLfZoAhP8yzUwu3papMHndAnNtK3dVFGRx6rk5gSIT3lcpYx-a5f-QixYHpDZ~baQkD0DYeFPpkEOK-94S3z9yUYolvH9IhLXDNUt05JPJyAWwxvK50eKL7uXUIZsn3qY7r8irqSOXHt7G-XoM99YmirEnmuIpvZkKbm1Wv3SEPOpYmDu~QuhhctqubN6irZdXp36aY83Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and the committee updated the Tree Advisory Committee on the public tree inventory work and plans to integrate inventory data into the city GIS.

Sarah, a city staff member, said the consultant Planet Geo is using the TreePlotter system and is “a little over 50% complete doing that, on their own through a through a public contract.” She said the consultant’s work assumes about 25,000 public trees citywide and that the inventory currently contains roughly 12,000 existing trees and about 2,500 potential planting sites.

Why it matters: A consolidated, accurate inventory is the foundation for targeted planting, watering and canopy-priority overlays. Staff said the inventory points include species and size, and they aim to integrate the consultant TreePlotter data with the city’s GIS so the public can view a live map showing street trees and potential planting locations.

Private plantings and volunteer data: Jeff Sherry, president of the Norwalk Tree Alliance, said his group maintains a separate inventory of volunteer and private plantings and is exploring ways to share address-level data without publishing private-property specifics. Staff said publicly owned trees will remain in the city database; private plantings could be kept in a separate database accessible to partners for coordination.

Discussion vs. decision: This was an informational discussion about contractor progress and data-integration plans; no formal policy changes were voted. Staff expects the consultant contract to complete the inventory by the end of the year.","Consultant Planet Geo is about 50% complete with a public tree inventory that will map existing trees (about 12,000 captured so far) and up to 2,500 potential planting sites; staff plans to integrate the new TreePlotter data into the city's GIS for a public-facing map.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6019390,"Norwalk has $360,000 for tree work; city seeks to boost annual plantings toward 1,600 target",177,102000,279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122&start=102&end=279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6019390/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-has-360000-for-tree-work-city-seeks-to-boost-annual-plantings-toward-1600-target","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019390-8b339461f65c2863f782d77d8ac935ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519649&Signature=A9zNsPbIUpXq56cJsi0i8Krxr4G4cxj2EtrGPFRFot2kiNjcUs1REmynmvOldrXuTIgs163D6oHwMDbcGTgBF9DvFXrI7ySmboZ4aq1tp-173BaaVt2oiQNJWFIzxZHBUbScBYGBlUwkJq87LPo-FcdbGGE6N31yqVKeeZN~bvReUvbQRpLQ4U2c0sQApeyNzSs9I9w5tytJuDa2PmDwcZrDGEpBsXgOX1P6161hCzwH8vQPmTGG4CL0lJF9ucACIdJhRv~3tzdTOhxd7dVZEcNTKDz4sQMLppXWffkyCjMurNPYtgXDVcTd3JF8qPmgkUU7~0lkt5Glt8HgrSLqOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and committee members described funding and planting targets for Norwalk's public tree program at the Tree Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 26.

Sarah, a city staff member, said the city planted “just over 50 trees” in spring 2025 and is aiming “to hit between 300, 3 50, maybe 400, trees for the year” for 2025–26. She detailed multiple funding sources: “just a little bit under a 100 k, a 100,000 in the MLKECD account,” a newly approved Department of Public Works tree planting account of $200,000 for fiscal 2025–26, about $30,000 remaining in the GGP account, and about $30,000 in a Recreation and Parks tree-planting account. She summarized: “So in total, we have $360,000 at the moment, to be utilized between now and, basically, June thirtieth of of 20 26.”

Why it matters: Committee members said the city should prioritize funding for major commercial and arterial corridors rather than concentrating limited funds on dispersed homeowner requests. Committee member Peter asked that the group ensure planting strategies target major arteries and areas such as Martin Luther King Boulevard and West Avenue.

Longer-term target and costs: The committee reviewed the tree master plan benchmark calling for a canopy target of 53% by 2050. Sarah said the city’s 2023 canopy assessment put current canopy at about 43% and that “in order for us to get to 53% coverage by by 2050 is to be able to add, you know, 1,600 additional trees per year across all land types and, you know, ownership and all of that.” A committee member estimated that 1,600 trees a year would cost roughly $1.2 million annually at contracted planting rates.

Prioritization and integration: Committee members and staff discussed integrating tree plantings into capital projects so tree costs are included in project budgets, referencing Complete Streets guidance that encourages amenity-zone plantings where street typologies allow. Staff also noted work with engineering to include trees in project scopes to avoid depleting tree-planting accounts.

Discussion vs. decision: The committee discussed priorities and funding but took no new appropriation vote. Staff said the DPW planting account increase to $200,000 was already approved for FY25–26; no new formal action was recorded.","City staff reported about $360,000 available for tree work through multiple city accounts and said the city seeks to expand annual plantings toward a 1,600‑tree annual goal tied to a 2050 canopy target; committee members urged prioritizing major arteries and South Norwalk planting pits.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":90,"_45":102,"_46":103,"_48":93,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6019395,"Norwalk tree advisory committee flags high mortality in recent plantings; staff orders immediate removals and replacements",1136,1238000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5772679-e041c3e8e910898e86fd6523d0141122&start=102&end=1238","/articles/6019395/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Norwalk-tree-advisory-committee-flags-high-mortality-in-recent-plantings-staff-orders-immediate-removals-and-replacements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6019395-8c8bbed5631d202c7269d245cf9c74ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770519649&Signature=AFY2YKw2OaLZHrSrimmFZGNjBVDWZCWirrp1jIE7X3zgBCc8ZQWtd3SC-IioHRHJJ4CN7e688HztBFrP5dzpKzmDdekq4-2fN8hZZ0-xClaVcK3eV7-GrUhJwdV4hd0JAYxJZemk2BTBH3bsdUh7yecvDen8Xo48BYvFvltsG~Kvw-39mHDOG3IZuuyuBvfCNioEDXeeeSGrwAswXxQqjTScqZRQ6JU9t3VtkCvomQ9-7ScMBV5JY1mDljDyDjSXzakfhLcXm7FvAWXVq2YH9AoOuDrxYoM319jKyjKw0PppRxwXyDJ7ndveZHW0lflh-6eom0cUhjUjVH7EHBV0yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Norwalk city staff told the Tree Advisory Committee on Aug. 26 that many trees planted in spring 2024 have low survivability and must be removed and replaced under contractor guarantees.

The committee heard that “in the last 2 months, unfortunately, we're seeing a significantly lower survivability in our trees that were planted, particularly in the 2024 in the spring of of this past year,” said Sarah, a city staff member. She said contractors were instructed that “dead trees need to be removed ASAP,” especially at schools, and that surviving trees remain under contract warranty: “All trees are still under guarantee. They will be required to be replaced, you know, per our contract.”

Why it matters: Committee members pressed staff for immediate follow-up because many failing trees are in recently planted streetscapes and at school sites where visibility and safety are higher. Committee members also pressed for documentation so replacement claims are preserved before guarantee periods lapse.

What staff said about causes and next steps: Sarah said watering appears to be the major factor, noting “through our watering report, there was minimal watering May through early July.” She said staff is communicating with contractors — identified in the meeting as Olmstead, Minutemen and others — to determine whether the problem is watering capacity or other causes, and that any required replacements will be handled under existing contracts. Paul, a city staff member, confirmed staff is maintaining GIS records tracking the plantings, mortality and guarantee dates.

Committee concerns and context: Committee members asked whether planting technique or soil preparation made a difference; Sarah said one contractor’s planting quality appeared strong during on-site observation, and that dieback patterns suggested a watering problem rather than consistent planting error. The committee also emphasized the need to document at-risk trees now so vendors cannot later claim issues developed outside the guarantee window.

Discussion vs. formal action: This meeting included discussion and direction to vendors and staff to document and remove dead trees and to replace guaranteed stock. There was no new procurement action, budget vote or ordinance change recorded during the meeting.

Next steps: Staff said they will continue communications with contractors, document mortality in GIS, and ensure replacements are made per contract. The committee requested earlier inspections so replacements can be pursued before guarantees expire.","City staff told the Tree Advisory Committee on Aug. 26 that many trees planted in spring 2024 are dying, contractors have been instructed to remove dead trees immediately, and replacements are covered under contract warranties while staff investigates low watering rates.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Norwalk Tree Alliance reports 122 plantings, runs citywide scavenger hunt; public event slated Sept. 27

Norwalk completes half of public tree inventory; consultant identified 2,500 potential planting sites

Norwalk has $360,000 for tree work; city seeks to boost annual plantings toward 1,600 target

Norwalk tree advisory committee flags high mortality in recent plantings; staff orders immediate removals and replacements