European Tree of the Year Contest General instructions for the organisers
Organisers of the European Tree of the Year Contest Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) – main organiser of the European Tree of the Year contest and the Brussels award ceremony ELO – main co-organiser of the European Tree of the Year award ceremony in Brussels and sponsor Tetra Pak – co-organiser of the European Tree of the Year award ceremony in Brussels and sponsor
The mission of the Tree of the Year initiative • to empower people and to get the community involved in environmental and local heritage protection • to promote old trees as an important part of European biodiversity
European Tree of the Year • since 2010 we have been searching for partners in other European countries • 2011/12 Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, France, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovakia entered into the contest • 2012/13 Ireland joined the contest • 2013/14 new partnerships were made. Entrants from Italy , Wales and Scotland (UK) were received • 2014/15 Belgium, England (UK), Estonia and Spain joined the contest
European Tree of the Year The national organisers need to: • follow the partnership agreement • report on the contest development to Environmental Partnership Association (EPA) • organise the Tree of the Year contest in their own countries (3 years in a row) • pay the annual participation fee – 250 Euros
European Tree of the Year • since 2010 , we have 14 participants: Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain and Wales
Stages of the Contest 1. Nomination process 2. Choosing finalists, documentation 3. Public voting process 4. Announcing the winner 5. Special care for the winning tree and tree planting The contest starts in spring and lasts the whole year.
Nomination Process • Announcement: 21st of March Traditionally announced on 21st of March (first day of spring), other convenient days are i.e. 20th April – Earth Day, 22nd May – World Biodiversity Day, 21st June – first day of summer • Public outreach – create a media plan: • Press releases for journalists, newspapers • Direct mail: for schools, clubs, children’s groups, municipalities and their environmental departments, NGOs • PR articles • Part of your website dedicated to the contest • Newsletter
Nomination Process • Acceptable nominations are those submitted by - individuals, - families, - communities, - schools, - companies - and municipalities. • Nominations by political parties are not acceptable
Structure of the Nominations An example what includes a valid application (the Czech Tree of the Year): • picture or a photograph of the tree; • description of the place where the tree is growing (street, town, region) • GPS position data • species of the tree • botanical features of the tree - age (best guess or known) - girth (either 1.3 m, 1.5 m from ground level or narrowest point) - height of the tree • story of the tree - either a myth or a legend, historical data or an individual testimony It is essential to ask the owner of the tree for permission for participation of the tree in the contest!
Choosing Finalists Organisers should select a Jury , including specialists in the related fields of botany or dendrology to choose the finalists. (10 – 12 members). Selecting Finalists - Finalists should be selected within 2 months of the announcement of the contest (mid June). Criteria: • The story of the tree • What the tree means for the place, municipality, community, or the person/people who nominated it • The number of people who sent the nomination • The features of the tree and the tree species
Documentation • After the finalists have been selected, a team of the organisers will take photographs and documents of the finalists. • These quality materials are then used in the media during the election process. • The organisers will give the nominators practical information and guidance on how the voting system works and how to run a campaign • Exhibition of finalists - run a tour around the country . For example… Museums, public libraries, galleries, cafés, schools, trade fairs, castles and mansions, zoological gardens, hospitals
Voting Process • Paper Ballots - available for download on the web page of the organiser (in Word format, usable for 20 voters, donation of 2,3 € ) System of codes (payment arrives, code sent to organiser) • DMS Voting, SMS Voting - DMS – Donors Message Services • The entire amount of fees collected goes back to nominators of finalists and they can provide special treatment for the tree s‚ or even plant new ones.
Announcing the Winner • Winner announcement ceremony that is traditionally connected with Arbour Day (20th October) • Cultural event – concerts, theatre festival, etc to which all the nominators, delegates of the sponsors and other important people are invited
Special Treatment for the Winner • The winner receives a special treatment by a proffessional arborist • Following events: • Tree Planting & Treatment - The voting is a charity raising money for special treatment for trees and tree planting • Geocaching - the tree finalists become favourite destinations for tourists
Winning Tree for the European Tree Award • All of the winners of the national contests go forward to the European Tree of the Year Contest (ETY). • Voting for ETY - on-line voting on www.treeoftheyear.org between 1st and 28th of February . • It is important to raise the profile again of the national campaigns. • A festive award ceremony of ETY at the European Parliament in Brussels
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