Dickinson's forestry department is back

Dickinson Public Works was struggling to find someone to run the forestry department. No one was applying for the job and the city's planning and zoning committee was trying to run it. About a year ago, Vern Quam was hired and the city is making changes.

Gary Zuroff, the director of public works, says the city was backlogged with work for a while.

"I think it's critical for the city to have a forester. There's been a number of years where we've had a forester and didn't have a forester," said Zuroff.

Quam says he's beautifying the city, and is trying different species of trees, and there's room to grow.

"We're looking at one grant to hire an intern to do some inventory of the trees that we are responsible for and we are also looking at a beautification grant so we can beautify three entrances to the city," said Quam.

Quam says trees are important for the environment and boosting real estate values. He also says the city is thinking about getting volunteers involved to get extra hands in the forestry department.

Dickinson Public Works says it's Public Works Week, so it's having informational meetings and giving away some freebees.