Richmond Parks and Recreation Department’s certified arborist hopes the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will pay for her to earn a graduate certificate in urban forestry.
Laura Karnes, the parks department’s landscape and naturalist leader, should learn this month if the DNR will fund the $11,422 cost of Oregon State University’s program. During its Nov. 3 meeting, Richmond Common Council considered an ordinance permitting acceptance of the grant, if awarded.
Karnes told council that she would need to earn about 20 credit hours in up to two years to receive the certificate. She would take classes outside her 40-hour work week.
The curriculum includes required urban forestry courses in planning, policy and management; case studies; green infrastructure; leadership; and data analysis. The credit hours earned could be used to pursue a master’s degree in natural resources.
Karnes said the timing with other DNR grants and a complete public tree inventory scheduled next year is perfect. She said it’s an opportunity to ensure the city’s tree ordinance that hasn’t been updated since 1993 aligns with industry standards. Karnes said the goal is to have an updated ordinance before council in early 2027.
“It’s great timing, I think, to tie it all together and keep the program moving in a good direction,” Karnes said.
Council member Jane Bumbalough, a member of the city’s Street Tree Commission, said she appreciates Karnes’ efforts with the commission and with the community’s trees.
Howard Price spoke in favor of council permitting acceptance of the DNR funding, if provided.
“She works really hard. I can testify to it because I’ve been with her several times when she’s been doing work out at the park, and she deserves everything that you can help her out with,” Price said.
Council passed the ordinance unanimously in the only action taken during the meeting that lasted less than 10 minutes.
A version of this article appeared in the November 12 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.