The urban forest is far more than tree canopy. Its structure
includes resources and man-made elements that differ from place to place.
Urban forest - most often characterized by the presence of trees - can
range from street tree plantings, to green
Keystone's
urban forest in front of Harris
Hall
space of primary open lawn, to woodland fragments
containing diverse structural compositions of herbaceous, understory
and canopy species. Our urban forest is an important resource
that must be managed
and replenished. Urban forests range from extensive
greenways to small vestiges of canopy cover and green space that
shelter us and bring solitude to our busy lives. Urban
forests are along our streets, our rivers, in our parks and our backyards.
Our urban forests provide many ecological
benefits
that include improved air quality, water quality,
energy
savings, protection from soil erosion, and wildlife habitat. In
addition, urban forests provide recreational
opportunities, increase property values, and make our communities
more livable. In our cities, trees provide a softer aesthetic to the
architectural structures typical in city settings.
Urban and community forestry programs not only build on the
ecological benefits that the urban forest provides, but also the
social and economic benefits gained by caring for this important
resource. Community Forestry empowers volunteers and communities to invest in the activities
that help better sustain this important natural resource. They also provide technical assistance and resources
to communities so they can inventory,
assess, manage and restore their urban forests. These important programs
educate communities on proper
tree selection,
planting specifications, insects and disease identification and hazard
management necessary to keep the urban forest healthy.
Trees are major capital assets in our cities and
towns. Just as streets, sidewalks, utilities and
recreational facilities are part of a community's infrastructure, so are
our trees. The urban forest is an important asset that requires care and management.
When properly cared for, the urban forest benefits our towns and
cities by increasing property values and contributing to increased consumer
spending in business districts.
A recent USDA Forest
Service initiative established the Mid-Atlantic
Center for Urban and Community Forestry at Keystone College in
the Spring of 2001. The Center collaborates to support the
needs of Delaware, Maryland, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West
Virginia and the District of Columbia through natural resource
assistance, transfer of new technologies, and effective delivery of
programs, products, and solutions. The Center promotes
continued investment in the health, better use, and value of the
urban forest.
If you are
interested in learning more about urban and community forestry
opportunities near you, contact your local urban forester. You
can also contact the Mid-Atlantic Center for Urban and Community
Forestry or your state
urban forestry coordinator for additional information.
