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Urban Forestry Workshop. By: . Acknowledgements: . MTAS is proud to acknowledge the support and partial funding of this project by the USDA Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry. .
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Acknowledgements: MTAS is proud to acknowledge the support and partial funding of this project by the USDA Forest Service and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry. Our special thanks goes to the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council, and to the Staff Urban Forester, Assistant Urban Forester, and Regional Urban Foresters for their continued technical assistance and support.
Pre-Test • Do not put your name on the test. • This is not testing you personally, it is testing the training.
Introductions: • Who are you? • What city do you represent? • Why are you here? • What do you hope to learn from this class?
Learning Points: • Definition/benefits of urban forestry • Elements of an urban forestry program • Roles of tree board members and staff • Best management practices in urban forestry technical assistance providers
Urban Forestry is… • the management of trees for their contribution to the physiological, sociological, and economic well being of the urban society. • is the art, science, and technology of managing trees, forests, and natural systems in and around cities, suburbs, and towns for the health and well-being of all people.
Urban Forestry… • Involves: selection, planting, maintenance of all trees and landscapes in an urbanized area. • Is a well planned, coordinated program • Involves a partnership among federal and state governmental agencies, private sector companies, organizations, and the public. • Examples: TUFC, Arbor Day, ISA, Public Work, Keep America Beautiful and Scenic Tennessee.
Our definition is that and more: • Is a quality of life issue • Provides economic benefits to community • Is an important part of the city’s infrastructure • Must be a balance between progress and preservation of nature
What are the Benefits of having an Urban Forestry Program???
Benefits - Environment • Improves air quality • Reduces noise pollution • Improves water quality • Stormwater retention • Reduces wind erosion of soil • Creates wildlife diversity • Keeps insects in check
Benefits - Economy • Creates a favorable impression • Attracts businesses and tourists • People tend to linger and shop along tree-lined streets • Employee morale is affected by wooded developments • Higher occupancy values • Higher property rates • Lower crime rates
Benefits – Economy • Higher and longer occupancy rates in wooded developments • Higher property value • Reduces Heat Island Effect • Governor’s 3-star Program • Industrial/job recruitment • Tourism
Benefits – Energy • Saves energy • Cooling in hotter months • Can reduce air conditioning by 30% • Wind barrier during winter • Can reduce heating by 20 to 50% • Reduces glare on sunny days
Benefits - Health • Creates feelings of relaxation and well-being. • Provides privacy and sense of solitude and security. • Shortens post-operative hospital stays when patient have a view of trees and open spaces. • Neighborhoods with trees have less childhood obesity than those without trees.
Major Elements: • Select a Program or Standards • Establish a Tree Board • Adopt a Tree Ordinance • Develop a Program Budget • Staff the Program • Develop a Management Plan
Select a Program or Standards: • National Arbor Day Foundation –USA Tree City Program Standards • Apply to Dept. of Ag., Div. of Forestry, Urban Forestry Staff • Tree Board or Department • Tree Care Ordinance • Annual Budget of at least $2 per capita • Arbor Day Observation • National Allocation Method • Tree Ordinance • Tree Board • Staffing • Inventory/Management Plan
Tree City USA -- Establish a Tree Board • Responsible for the care and management of the community’s trees. • A group of concerned volunteer citizens • Could include professional and volunteer members • Balanced broad based community involvement • Directed by ordinance • Administers tree management plan
Tree City USA --Tree Board Ordinance • Statement of creation/establishment • Number of members • Qualifications of members • Term of office • Provisions for vacancies • Compensation (if any) • Board duties and responsibilities
Tree City USA -- Adopt a Tree Ordinance • Addresses three key components: • Tree protection • Street tree requirements • Could draft your own ordinance, or • Use MTAS model tree ordinance
Tree City USA --Develop Program Budget • Annual budget of $2 per capita • May need to re-examine the community’s budget priorities • Need to know how much money is already being spent on trees (planting & maintenance, park maintenance, public works) • Focus funding on an annual work plan developed after an inventory is completed
Staff the Program • Varies from city to city • Cross train public works employees • Volunteers and/or Professionals • Arborists • Options: in-house city crews, outside contracts, volunteer or contractual labor, or combination of any of these.
Develop a Management Plan • Three Tier Model • Tree Inventory • Assessment • Urban Forestry Management Plan • Strategic Plan • Management Plan
Software Demonstration • i-Tree – Suite of software tools to help users identify and manage the structure, function, and value of urban tree populations.
Roles of Tree Board and Staff • Defined by City’s charter or ordinance • Could include any or all of the following: • Policy formulation • Advising • Administration • Management • Representation • Advocacy
Best Management Practices • Chattanooga, Tennessee • Walla Walla, Washington • Palo Alto, California • Athens-Clarke County, Georgia • Seattle, Washington
Post-Test • Do not put your name on the test. • This is not testing you personally, it is testing the training.
Summary • Definition/benefits of urban forestry • Elements of an urban forestry program • Roles of tree board members and staff • Best management practices in urban forestry technical assistance providers
In Closing…. • Thank you for your time and participation in this class!
