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Organizational Information
Member Organizations
Links
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Opportunity
Around the world are individuals, groups, and organizations involved with different aspects of tree and forest research, conservation, and utilization. These
individuals may be part of a local tree club, or be a member of an international research organization. These individuals and groups may be trying to save a single notable or historic tree, or a small patch of forest from development. They may be trying to set aside larger tracts of forest as biological reserves or national parks. They may be trying to develop an area for eco-tourism. They may be trying to implement viable and sustainable forest utilization practices so that the working forests we have can better supply our needs. others may be exploring artistic venues with photography, artwork, or music. These individuals represent a wide variety of cultural, educational, political, and social backgrounds, but they share a common interest in trees and forests.
Even with the internet, these groups are often working alone on their projects. They commonly face many of the same problems encountered by other groups in the past, and may make many of the same mistakes that others have made. The purpose of the World Tree Consortium is to develop a community of individuals and groups so that knowledge may be more easily shared between them. Solutions to problems can be shared with others, mistakes made in the past can be avoided, and informational resources and potential
economic resources can be tapped by each group participating. With a diversity of backgrounds, and a wider body of people to draw upon for ideas, new approaches can be
developed for these efforts, and solutions problems can be more easily found. Better communications among these differing groups, to a broader range of interested individuals, is the key to the success of each of them.
The forum promotes discussions among members of different groups. News releases, announcements, meeting notices, and questions can be distributed to other member forest organizations all over the world. Multi-group functions, meetings, conferences, and field trips can be organized through the discussion forum. Up-to-the -minute updates of events
happening across the globe can be distributed immediately and effectively. A calendar of
upcoming events will be maintained on the website and in the pages section of the discussion list homepage. Photographs and newsletters can be uploaded to the files section of the discussion list for others to view and download. Videos can be uploaded to YouTube and will be linked to viewing lists available to member organizations.
Joining
Each group or organization that joins the consortium will have a link to their home website added to the
World Tree Consortium website. If someone joins as a representative of a group or organization, We ask that
they monitor the discussions on a regular basis to keep other members of their group informed of activities and discussions taking place. There is no cost to join, ad no annual fee for membership. Individuals can select whether they want to
receive copies of each individual email, receive a daily digest of emails, or view the activity on the discussion list from the website only.
To join simply type in an email address on the Google Groups Box to
the left. You will need to create a Google Account to fully
participate in the forum.
General Practices
The posts to the group will not in general be moderated. New individuals who join will have
their posts moderated until it can be determined that they are not simply spammers, but actual interested parties. There will be an expectation of civility on the discussion list. Personal attacks, rants, shouting, and inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Those guilty of these types of infractions will first have their posts moderated, and then they will be banned if the practice continues.
The goal will be to publish an online e-zine on a quarterly basis giving an overview of the activities of member organizations, accounts of field trips and events, and similar materials.
To generate useful scientific data, we ask that member organizations adopt measurement standards for measuring tree heights, girths, and crown spreads that will allow the collection of
comparable data between sites. On the World Tree Consortium website is a document entitled: "Tree measuring Guidelines of the Eastern Native Tree Society" that can serve as a model for those measurement standards.
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