City Trees is a premier publication focused on urban + community forestry. In each issue, you’ll learn how to best manage the trees in your community and more!
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/128847
C Utilize urban forestry research in conjunc- • Tree planting programs can be biased toward owner-occupied homes. With few exceptions, municipalities rarely include a formal research component in their UFMPs. Although researchers might not typically consider partnering with municipalities, and elected officials may not be used to the idea of a local taxpayer-funded research mission, the City of Pittsburgh plans to identify or even propose research that would provide tangible benefits to the urban forestry operation and to the City in general. Specific recommendations include partnering with the new USDA Forest Service Research Station in Pennsylvania and featuring pertinent urban forestry research in local media. • High vacancy rates can lead to inequities of urban forest benefits if local policies deter planting trees adjacent to vacant houses and lots. • Policies that require property owner permission can reduce renter's participation in tree planting efforts. tion with on-the-ground operations C Increase access to trees so all can enjoy and benefit This goal evolved during the planning process. The focus started out with the concept of social inclusion within the field of urban forestry. This led to a broader look at environmental justice issues as they relate to urban forestry. Environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies. Efforts to address environmental justice have historically focused on remediating environmental burdens such as the clean-up of urban brownfields and industrial wastes. Fewer efforts have been made to increase environmental amenities such as ecosystem services or urban forest benefits. In cities throughout the world, the density and health of the urban forest in residential areas often coincides with the economic status of the people who live there. In the poorer neighborhoods, there are frequently fewer trees and private gardens and less public open space. Consensus was reached that urban forestry can counteract environmental injustice in the following ways: • Well designed and maintained parks can deter crime. • Greenery has a calming effect. • Green spaces are places where residents can gather and build community. • Well maintained trees give neighborhoods the appearance of being cared for and increase property values. • Trees can reduce energy costs and air pollution. It was found that equitable access to urban forest benefits must overcome these hurdles: 18 Urban tree canopy at the neighborhood level was examined in relation to poverty and race demographics. This led to many recommendations, the first of which is to give priority for urban forestry and outreach efforts to disadvantaged communities that are currently gaining the least benefit from the urban forest. A second is to prioritize neighborhoods and watersheds for future tree planting and protection efforts to increase deficient tree canopy figures and allow for more equitable canopy cover across the city. Urban tree canopy studies are important tools for many aspects of ecosystem services management. This is especially true when striving for equity in urban forest benefits, since one can layer canopy and readily available demographics in a geographic information system in order to map out future plantings. m re Manage ™ with less…with Soil Moist™ Nothing helps stretch budgets like Soil Moist Water Management Polymers and Mycorrhizal Products: to reduce water maintenance and plant stress, increase growth rates, improve soil without with porosity and do more Mycorrhizal Mycorrhizal with less… beautifully. Available in the forms, formulas and customer blends you need, eco-safe Soil Moist granules,disks, tabs and spikes absorb water, then release it gradually as soil dries. So each watering lasts up to 50% longer, for 3-5 years. Whether it's original Soil Moist, Soil Moist Mycorrhizal for strong root development, or Soil Moist Plus nutrient blends, there's never been a better time to call for technical data and expert advice. JRM Chemical, Inc. 4881 NEO Parkway, Cleveland, OH 44128 1-800-926-4010 • 216-475-8488 fax: 216-475-6517 www.soilmoist.com City Trees