It took years of lobbying and negotiating to update the Dallas tree and landscape ordinance. Steve Houser was there from day one in 2005 all the way up until the renegotiated ordinance was passed in 2018. The revisions include incentives for tree preservation and sustainable practices, as well as penalties for non-compliance.

Steve is currently negotiating with city hall on the natural next step for the ordinance; the addition of a Neighborhood Forest Overlay which will protect more trees and encourage proper maintenance.

The success of the ordinance and now the overlay are completely dependent on the determination and effectiveness of articulate tree advocates. Steve will discuss the history of tree advocacy in the Dallas area and the basic procedures and processes that tree advocates can follow to encourage the success of tree preservation initiatives. He has been involved in tree battles as long as he has been an arborist and has a unique knowledge of the subject as a result. The hope is to pass along the knowledge to those who may need it in the future and to help build support for the overlay.

Event Location: 
Meadows Conference Center
2900 Live Oak Street
Dallas , TX
Date and Time: 
Wednesday, January 2, 2019 - 6:30pm to 8:45pm