The Society of Municipal Arborists (SMA) is going
to be at the World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF),
and you, our dear members, should be there too!
SMA will host a special networking reception
on the evening of Tuesday, October 17
th
.
Register here and look for the many "SMA
Applicable" sessions denoted in the agenda.
These sessions have been reviewed for their
particular applicability to SMA Members.
WFUF 2023 is organized in partnership by the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO),
the City of Washington D.C., Arbor Day Foundation,
the International Society of Arboriculture, the U.S.
Forest Service, the Smithsonian Institution, the Italian
Society of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, and the
Politecnico di Milano (Polytechnic University of Milan).
SMA Members know well that, if properly planned
and managed, urban forests and trees enhance
the livability of neighborhoods and contribute
to more socially inclusive and sustainable cities.
However, the creation of new green space does
not automatically lead to socially just and inclusive
development. Too often, in communities across
the globe, prejudices, marginalization, and
discrimination prevent equitable distribution and
access to the benefits of the urban forest.
City-wide policies and strategies should ensure proper
planning, design, and management of green spaces at
different scales, and for use by multiple and diverse social
groups. In order to meet this objective, it is critically
important to look at the context in which solutions
should be implemented. It is essential to identify
methods to ensure the integrated and transdisciplinary
participation of diverse communities in all phases of
the planning and implementation process of urban
forests and green spaces. Experts and planners must
also be aware of and consider possible social inequalities
to ensure that all voices are adequately engaged.
The 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests aims to
address this crucial theme by creating a global
stage promoting exchange among practitioners (like
you, the SMA Member!), scientists, and decision-
makers concerned with both the environmental
and social aspects of urban development.
The WFUF will bring together representatives of
national and local governments, research and academic
institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
urban planners, urban foresters, arborists, landscape
architects and designers, and professionals from many
other sectors to exchange experience and lessons
learned. Attendees will discuss possible collaboration
on the development of urban forestry strategies
whose benefits can be made equally available to all.
The technical and scientific programme of the Forum
will focus on health, inclusion, and resilience—providing
examples of ways in which cities can take action to
become greener, healthier, and happier places for all.
The Forum will employ a variety of formats and tools
including conference sessions, focus discussions, world
cafés, virtual polling, capacity building, and larger
events open to the public. The event will count on
the participation of a wide number of experts from
different sectors. More than 100 speakers from all
over the world will present and participate in parallel
events, plenary sessions, and focus group discussions.
To learn more about the event and to
register, we invite you to visit the 2023 World
Forum on Urban Forests website.
—Simone Borelli, Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (Italy),
and Earl Eutsler, DDOT (Washington, D.C.)
"Greener, healthier, and happier cities for all."
Register Now for the 2nd World Forum on Urban Forests
28 CityTREES
