Hi all.
Another project I am involved with at the moment involves tree vandalism. At the moment there is an ongoing issue in sandringham with trees being vandalised as they block views of the bay.
The challenge of this project as I see it is that we need to get people to view trees as an asset. Also to increase peoples awareness of their surroundings should they witness an act of tree vandalism (many wouldn't). In fact it is quite difficult to get the police involved as they view it as a victimless crime, despite the replacement value of trees being around $10k - 20k.
Ideally what I am wanting to create is a community that is aware of the value of their natural surroundings, which should make thenm less likely to vandalise trees, and more likely to report incidents should they occur.
Can anyone help with suggestions on how to achieve this.
Tom Walsh
Environmental Education Officer
Bayside City Council
Australia
Tree Vandalism
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The ?International Society of Arborists? has a full-on tree evaluation / appraisal system. Perhaps if the community knew the actual value of a tree, fewer would be vandalized. Compare the value of a view with the presence of shade in a hot climate for lowering temperatures, processing carbon dioxide, host and food source for numerous birds and insects, not to mention color, texture, beauty. Good luck.
Julia McHugh
Local Government Partnership Coordinator
WA Dept of Ecology
United States
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/lsp/index.html
Hi, Tom. Interesting project.
Sounds to me as if you *already* have a community that places high value on natural surrounds; it is just that some community members value a view of the bay obove a tree.
You want (1) potential vandals not to harm trees; (2) other citizens to report vandalism; and (3) cops to enforce the law.
For the potential vandals, we want some combination of (a) making it harder for them to vandalize, (b) decrease their desire vandalize, and (c) not ticking them off (reduce or eliminate the trigger).
Lighting, patrols, neighborhood watches, sensors and metal fences or trunk casings would all decrease ability. (Granted, some of these silly ideas make me smile.) Decreasing motivation might be achieved by the great education ideas suggested by Julie and Bernie, by establishing and maintaining some bay view spots and using landscaping to enhance those vistas rather than obscure them, and increasing the risks and costs. Social acceptance is one cost -- editorials and social media demonstrating support for arboriculture could make vandalism less acceptable. As for triggers, what exactly is it that sets these folks off and makes them want to go fire up their chain saws?
Police might respond to political, financial, legal or social pressures. Maybe even moral or aesthetic pressures. Motivation. Ability is probably already there, unless they are too tied up with other duties. And it takes a trigger, a phone call reporting the incident and requesting attendion.
Bob Rowell
Robert Rowell
educator
United States
Hey Tom
I have noticed that there is a strong community of dog walkers at all hours that use the foreshore at Sandringham. I am involved in the Guide and Scout Water Activity Centre situated there and I would like to get a "friends group" started for helping with the Centre with maintaenance and activities and rejuvenating the surrounding area and primary dune rehabilitation. Such a group would be instrumental in a public awareness campaign to mitigate action by tree vandals.
Russ Anderson
Scouts Victoria Sailing Instructor.
[email protected]
Russell Anderson
Australia
Tom,
Perhaps the issue is how much value does Bayside place on these trees- and how hard and fast is it prepared to hit? We know why they are cut down (namely to improve the view, remove "fire hazards" etc) and there a heaps of ways to deal with it if you have the money, resources and motivation.
S
Sara Earhart
Australia
Several local governments in Western Australia place large signs where the vandalised tree(s) once stood. The sign has a suitable message on it, advising of the fact that it has been erected in response to vandalism and will be removed in a few years' time once new trees have grown up to replace the vandalised trees.
Bernie Masters
environmental consultant