| National Champion
White Ash Palisades, New York 
crown spread: 115 feet |
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SARASOTA, Florida—Saturday, January 31, 1997 individuals from four states met on Lido Key to discuss progress toward a worldwide effort to preserve and restore Earth's key ecosystem resource: trees, beginning with the biggest trees - Champion Trees.
Led by David Milarch, founder and third generation nurseryman from northwest Michigan, representatives from a diversity of organizations agreed to establish an legal framework to begin The Champion Tree Project International. The initial corporation will be the Michigan Champion Tree Project, begun in July, 1996, which currently has federal tax exemption.
The Board of Directors will add two Directors from the Florida chapter, and one from the New York chapter. Newly organized chapters in other states will be admitted at the next meeting in the summer. David Milarch is President; Chris Spear (MI) will be Treasurer; David Yarrow (NY) is Secretary.
Individuals who want to support the Project can join as a Founding Member for $25. Members won't vote in the international organization, but will select representatives through their state chapter. Additional memberships classes were created for non-profits, businesses, corporations, and patron contributors.
David Yarrow will develop an information packet to assist new states to become quickly organized and properly incorporated as a CTP chapter. Rotary Club International will be a model to develop the Project's structure.
David Yarrow will produce a quarterly newsletter to communicate the Project's rapid growth and multiple facets. The first introductory issue will be ready by Spring. Summer will focus on Living Libraries, and Fall will report progress to harvest and propagate Champion Trees. Winter will address youth education activities launched by the Project.
The new Board also reviewed the Michigan chapter's agreement with Schmidt's Nursery, and recommended adjustments to assure compliance with non-profit and tax exempt requirements.
A tradename (ChampTree™) and logo for state, national and international use were ratified for trademark applications on Champion Trees accepted for commercial distribution. Jim Olson (MI) will file applications, which require 14 months for approval.
The Concept Paper prepared for the National Science Foundation was approved to begin application for funding. NSF staff want to assist the Project to develop national scale and implement its goals for environmental education of youth. The Board authorized Frank Wheeler (MI), assisted by David Yarrow (NY) and Terry Mock (FL), to begin writing a formal grant proposal. Funding can begin before the end of this year.
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Sunday, Feb. 1, a press conference and public meeting was held at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. The first two Florida National Champions that were cloned by AGA member Butterflies-Are-Free Nursery were presented by FL vice president Terry Mock, proof that Florida's exotic Champions can be cloned successfully. One was gifted to the owners of the parent Green Buttonwood tree. Also:
February 4 another press event took place in Palm Beach at the home of Wynne S. Ballinger, President of the Horticulture Society of South Florida. Ms. Ballinger was presented with baby trees from the first two of Florida's 170 National Champion Trees to be cloned. Ms. Ballinger announced her support for the Project, and pledged to solicit members and patrons to fund the preservation of more of Florida's Champions.
Also on February 4, Zan Benham (FL, VP) and David Yarrow visited Peace River Elementary School in Port Charlotte, which has been awarded numerous state and national awards for innovative environment and gardening programs. Guidance counselor Ed Gantner agreed the school will be a demonstration site for NSF funds to develop model curricula on Living Library, Champion Tree propagation, and forest stewardship.
