City Trees

While the programs which use public participation in research do not act to exclude these individuals, the terminology can carry connotations that could result in individuals with valuable knowledge, skills, and expe- riences not participating in urban forestry initiatives. In much the same way, "citizen science" and "citizen pruner" have also been critiqued for their failure to recognize the diverse identities and affiliations that people may have. This is particularly relevant con- cerning the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). Articles 3, 4, 5, and 6 of UNDRIP discuss the rights of Indigenous Peoples to autonomy, self-determination, and self-govern- ment. Specifically, Article 4 of UNDRIP states that: In exercising their right to self-determination, Indigenous peoples have the right to autonomy or self-government in matters relating to their interna- tional and local affairs, as well as ways and means for financing their autonomous functions. (UNDRIP 61/295, 2007, p. 8) Recognizing and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples is paramount in any scientific or environmental endeavour. When engaging with Indigenous communities in urban forestry projects, it is essential to embrace a framework that aligns with the principles of the UNDRIP. This involves obtaining free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from Indigenous Peoples, acknowledging their right to self-determination, and involving them as equal partners in decision-making processes. By adopting a more inclusive approach that respects the rights and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples, urban forestry initia- tives can better address the environmental challenges of urban areas while promoting social justice and equity. International recognition of the impacts of colonialism and systemic barriers to involvement and engagement has provided a more multidimensional understanding of what citizenship means in Indigenous communi- ties. Indigenous Peoples may not identify as citizens of a particular country due to their different polit- ical, cultural, and historical relationships with the land. Our observation has been that Indigenous com- munity members have not participated in citizen science because of the term's connotations. Citizen Science and Citizen Pruner: A Critique The term "citizen science" is often used to describe research with the assistance or participation of the public. Citizen science has primarily been used in urban forestry to collect data on urban trees. A similar term, "citizen pruner," is also widely used to describe members of the public trained in pruning city trees. While public involvement in data collection can benefit engagement and participation in urban forest stew- ardship, using the terms citizen science/pruner should be critiqued based on similar scrutiny of the phrase from other research and engagement sectors. "Citizen science" and "citizen pruner" carry inherent exclusions that limit the participation of certain groups, such as immigrants, permanent residents, and inter- national students. By emphasizing the notion of citizenship, it inadvertently excludes individuals who do not hold legal citizenship status in a particular country. 26 CityTREES

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