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Tools |
Over the last decade, Urban and Community Forestry has grown into a robust and highly regarded field of study. Below we have highlighted a sampling of some of the tools, resources, programs, and activities that are used in the field today. If you know of another exemplar that we should include in our list, please contact us! |
Sustainable Landscape Rating System |
Developed in 2006, SITESv2 is a 200-point Rating System for creating sustainable landscapes. Adapted after LEED-like criteria (for sustainable buildings), landscapes are assessed based on reduced water demand, improved stormwater runoff, wildlife habitats, reduced energy consumption, improved air quality, improved human health, and increased outdoor recreation. To find more, visit: http://www.sustainablesites.org/rating-system. |
i-Tree Tools |
i-Tree is a free suite of tools used to quantify trees on multiple scales from individual trees to whole states. The tools include i-Tree Eco, Streets, and Design. The assessment includes quantifying ecological benefits at a site scale as well as quantifying street and regional trees. This tool has helped communities of all sizes in creating plans for the future and increasing community capacity to improve Urban Tree Forests. To find more, visit: http://www.itreetools.org/index.php. |
Ecosystem Services Calculations |
OpenTreeMap is an open source tool for ecosystem services calculations, urban forestry analysis, and community engagement. Using the Urban Forestry Analysis, the city can map out and calculate total annual benefits saved, energy conserved, stormwater filtered, air quality improved, carbon dioxide removed, and carbon dioxide stored from the local trees. To find more, visit: https://www.opentreemap.org. |
Urban Forest Management Protocol |
Hosted by Climate Action Reserve, The Urban Forest Project Protocol Development tool was created in 2014 in California to facilitate consistent protocol for urban forest management and urban tree planting. To find more, visit: http://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/protocols/urban-forest/. |
Management Plan Toolkit |
The Urban Forest Management Plan Toolkit (UFMP) is for professionals developing management plans for urban forests. The free toolkit provides a framework of elements to be included, an online work plan tool, and software that permits editing by collaborators. To find more, visit: http://ufmptoolkit.com. |
Stewardship Maps |
OASIS provides maps for groups of all types to develop a better understanding of local stewardship in New York City. The maps show the spatial network of environmental groups by graphic location and by organization type. To find more, visit: http://www.urbanresearchmaps.org/oasis/stewardship/stewardshipsearch.aspx. www.urbanresearchmaps.org/oasis/map.aspx. |
Resources
Nature Play and Learning Places |
The National guidelines for Nature Play & Learning Places is designed for urban planners, developers, and educators to create, manage, and promote the development of nature in environments of children. The guide includes related research, examples, and design guidelines. http://natureplayandlearningplaces.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nature-Play-Learning-Places_v1.2_Sept22.pdf |
Vibrant Cities |
The Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests: A National Call to Action is a report conceived by the United States Forest Service and carried out by a 25-member task force. Published in 2011, the report outlines recommendation for the coming 15 years, including emerging trends and potential benefits of urban tree forests. The recommendations each have a rationale, examples, and actionable steps. http://www.urbanforestcoalition.com/doc/Vibrant%20Cities%20Report_V2.pdf |
White House Climate Resilience Priority Agenda
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The White House Priority Agenda report: Enhancing the Climate Resilience of America’s Natural Resources. It specifically mentions i-Tree: “I-Tree17, a USDA-Forest Service tool which helps communities of all sizes to strengthen their urban forest management and advocacy efforts by quantifying the structure of community trees and the environmental services that trees provide, including carbon storage and emissions avoided as a result of building energy savings.” Priority Agenda |
Urban Forests Case Studies
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American Forests researched the urban forest activities of 12 cities throughout the country and compiled the lessons learned into a 108-page narrative book, Urban Forests Case Studies: Challenges, Potential and Success in a Dozen Cities.Each individual city’s study is available on their website. http://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/urbanforests/urban-forests-case-studies/ |
Tree Board University |
Tree Board University provides eight courses about how citizens can serve an advisory role in their communities. The courses include videos, multi-media presentations, reference documents, and online links to additional information. For those who finish the eight courses, they provide an online social networking community. To find more, visit: http://www.treeboardu.org. |
Programs
Academics |
The Southern University and A&M College at Baton Rouge started an Urban Forestry Program in 1992 within the College of Agricultural Consumer Science. The curricula prepare students for urban forestry management, forest health management, ecosystem analysis, arboriculture, urban ecology, and GIS. To find more, visit: http://www.urbanforestry.subr.edu/introduction.htm. |
Local Initiatives |
After publishing The State of the Trees Report, The Sacramento Tree Foundation’s started the Greenprint Initiative. During this initiative, a shared regional vision and goals were created to capitalize on the benefits of trees in the Sacramento region. Throughout the process, the project team conducted an educational campaign, community engagement, the Greenprint Summit, and advocacy to elected bodies. In addition to these efforts, the program has clear policies and ordinances, community partnerships, and management efforts displayed on their website. To find more, visit: http://www.sactree.com/pages/85. |
Neighborhood Education and Grantmaking |
MillionTreesNYC connects tree planting and maintenance on a neighborhood level to educational and grantmaking programs. Their program gives free trees and teaches how to plant and care for trees.To find more, visit: http://milliontreesnyc.org/html/about/about.shtml. |
Tree City USA |
Tree City USA is a program for city community forestry management. Cities and towns become eligible by meeting four core standards – maintaining a tree board or department, having a community tree ordinance, spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry and celebrating Arbor Day. There are more than 3,400 cities enrolled in Tree City USA. To find more, visit: http://www.arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/about.cfm. |
Inform and Educate Policymakers |
Alliance for Community Trees Advocates on behalf of parts of USDA Forest Service Program, Urban Waters Federal Partnership, Forest Health Protection, Wildfire Suppression Funding, The Administration’s Climate Change Action Plan, and Energy Conservation. They inform and encourage policymakers to protect and sustain community forests. To find more, visit: http://actrees.org/what-we-do/public-policy/advocacy-agenda/. |
Demonstration of Benefits of UCF |
Los Angeles-based TreePeople proposes a better future by demonstrating benefits of trees. In their demonstration projects, they focus on local issues such as mitigating climate change, reducing energy use, and providing local reliable water supply in five collaboratively implemented projects. To find more, visit: http://www.treepeople.org/demonstration-projects. |
Non-profit UCF |
Openlands is a 501c3 nonprofit that researches the benefits of urban forests in Chicago, plants gardens at schools, has urban conservation easements, and runs an urban birding program aimed for 2nd to 5th graders. To find more, visit: http://www.openlands.org/who-we-are. |
Activities
Urban Design |
The Adding Green to Urban Design report for the city of Chicago is a coordinated approach from public and private stakeholders to protect the environment in Chicago. The plan explores governmental approaches to encourage sustainability by incorporating design-based recommendations. To find more, visit: http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Sustainable_Development/Publications/Green_Urban_Design/GUD_booklet.pdf |
Tree Canopy Legislation |
In May 2013, Maryland passed a legislation that mandates that Maryland’s forest is maintained at its 40 percent tree canopy. This no-net-loss legislation establishes reforestation incentives and tools. To find more, visit: http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2013/05/02/governor-omalley-signs-landmark-forest-legislation/. |
Bioswales |
The City of Milwaukee implemented a bioswales program where the city controls water flow and reduces maintenance costs, through design. This water catchment system is between trees on tree-lined streets. To find more, visit: http://www.americanforests.org/our-programs/urbanforests/urban-forests-case-studies/milwaukee-re-routing-the-rain/. |
