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Urban Forestry We Want YOU!

What is urban forestry? According to the book Urban Forestry, Planning and Managing
Urban Greenspaces by Robert Miller, an urban forest may be defined as the sum of all woody
and associated vegetation in and around dense human settlements, ranging from small
communities in rural settings to metropolitan regions (Miller, 27). Now on the other hand, the
definition of urban forestry is, a specialized branch of forestry that has as its objective the
cultivation and management of trees for their present and potential contribution to the
physiological, sociological and economic well-being of urban society (Miller, 34). Therefore,
to be concise, urban forestry is the management and care of forest ecosystems in and around
urban areas.
In regards to sustainable urban forestry, the book published by National Arbor Day
Foundation titled Urban & Community Forestry, defines it as, Sustainable urban forestry is
based on the concept of sustainable urban ecosystems, or landscapes designed and managed to
minimize impact on the environment and maximize value received for dollars expended in the
long term (Fazio 11). This is a relatively new concept, but an important one with the purpose of
maintaining a maximum level of net environmental, ecological, social, and economic benefits
over time. In order to achieve sustainable urban forests, community cooperation, quality of care,
continued funding and personal involvement must be established and maintained (Clark,
Matheny, Cross, and Wake).
What are the benefits of urban forests? This research list compiled by the Alliance for
Community Trees (ACTrees) reveals many of the values that urban forests provide:
Green Infrastructure Benefits
o Economic Benefits
o Reducing Stormwater Run Off and Maintenance Costs

o Improving Air Quality

o Improving Water and Soil Quality
Public Health Benefits
o Improving Attention
o Decreasing Asthma & Obesity
o Improving Physical and Mental Health
o Reduced Hospital Days
o Protection from UV rays
o Noise Reduction
Roads and Traffic Benefits
o Traffic Calming and Accident Reduction
o Reducing Road Maintenance Costs
Business Benefits
o Business Districts: Increased Sales, Desirability and Rents
o Jobs
Property Value Benefits
o Increasing Property Values
Climate Change and Carbon Benefits
o Storing carbon and reduction of carbon emissions
o Carbon Mitigation Programs
o Reducing the Heat Island Effect
Energy Use Benefits
o Energy Efficiency
Community Benefits
o Less Violence and Crime
o Improves Neighborhood, Connectivity
Wildlife and Biodiversity
Canopy Cover Facts
Click here for more details (ACTrees).
Urban forestry can improve quality of life and it starts with the advocacy efforts of local
residents like you, by caring for the trees in your own yard, rooftop, patio, or balcony container
garden, etc. California ReLeaf, a non-profit organization located in Sacramento, suggests the
following ways to support urban forestry in California, but is applicable nearly anywhere:

Plant a tree in your own yard! (Call before you dig, 811) Trees can improve the
value of your home and lower your energy costs. Just be sure to select and plant
the right tree for the right place and know how to take care of it.
Enhance your community by volunteering to plant and care for trees. Many local
organizations, schools and local governments sponsor tree planting events and
need helping hands. You can make a lasting difference in your community!
Join the efforts of the community tree group in your area. To find an ACTrees
member organization, click here. If you community does not have an active urban
forestry organization, consider starting one!
Engage kids to raise awareness and interest in trees. You can assist with
classroom curricula, tree plantings at schools, and tree-related books in the school
library.
Ask your local government to ask how you can get more trees planted or get
better care for the trees that are already there. Find out if your city has a tree
ordinance, a tree inventory or a tree management plan. Use your voice to
encourage local policies that enhance your communitys urban forest!
Encourage your city to become a Tree City USA, a nationally recognized
designation sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with
the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Visit the
Arbor Day Foundation for more information. (California ReLeaf)
To be more specific, urban forests are the sum of street, residential, park, and greenbelt
trees plus vegetation (Miller 27). However, there is a component missing from that equation,
people. The care and development of our dynamic urban forests starts with the diverse groups of
people at the forefront of urban forestry. So, grab a shovel and join the cause!

Works Cited
Alliance for Community Trees. N.p, Aug 2011. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.actrees.org/files/Research/benefits_of_trees.pdf>.
California ReLeaf. N.p, n.d. Web. 16 Mar. 2015. <http://californiareleaf.org/donate/volunteeropportunities/>.
Clark, James R., Nelda P. Matheny, Genni Cross, and Victoria Wake. A Model of Urban Forest
Sustainability. Journal of Arboriculture 23.1 (1997): 17-30. Human Dimensions of
Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.naturewithin.info/Policy/ClarkSstnabltyModel.pdf>.
Fazio, James R. Urban & Community Forestry: A Practical Guide to Sustainability. Lincoln:
The National Arbor Day Foundation, 2003. arborday.org. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
<https://www.arborday.org/programs/ucf/english/chapter01.pdf>.
Miller, Robert W. Urban Forestry: Planning and Managing Urban Greenspaces. 2nd ed. Long
Grove: Waveland Press, Inc., 2007. Print.