the conservation status of the species (Schuetz and
Johnston 2019). Managers can identify preferences
in their communities and leverage positive attitudes
towards a species to gain support for management
decisions that promote wildlife habitat (Schuetz and
Johnston 2019). The resulting urban forests can provide
positive nature experiences for the public through
selection of tree species that attract species of public
interest, such as beloved songbirds (Lerman et al. 2021).
Landscape decisions
Having abundant and thriving urban forests is a central
goal of urban foresters and ecologists, and these goals
can align with wildlife habitat creation. While urban
ecological research is still making strides in mea-
suring the success of landscaping for wildlife, there
are many actions foresters can take. Seeking best prac-
tices and sound plans for wildlife habitat creation are
important when considering the right tree for the right
place. Modifying tree pruning schedules to benefit
breeding birds and leaving dead trees for habitat
can help to accommodate and foster native wild-
life (Kane et al. 2015). Prioritizing planting of native
trees in urban areas, as well as the number of native
understory plants, can support native birds, small
mammals, reptiles, and bees. Collaborative and edu-
cational activities with bird-watching groups may
offer new insights and opportunities for urban for-
estry and the wildlife that depend on our success.
While urban forests are managed by and for people,
it is important to recognize that communities of
wildlife can be beneficiaries of urban forests, too.
Keeping wildlife in mind when making management
decisions in urban forests may yield ecological and
societal benefits that gain support while bringing pos-
itive attention to the importance of our work.
Planting native understory plants can help support ground-dwelling
species like rabbits. Licensed photo by Amy Buxton/Adobe Stock
28 CityTREES
