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Urban Forestry Workshop

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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.

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Pre-Test

Do not put your name on the test. This is not testing you personally, it is testing

the training.

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Introductions:

Who are you? What city do you represent? Why are you here? What do you hope to learn from this class?

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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What are the Benefits of having an Urban Forestry Program???

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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 1. Tree Ordinance2. Tree Board 3. Staffing4. Inventory/Management Plan

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Develop a Management Plan

Three Tier Model Tree Inventory Assessment Urban Forestry Management Plan

Strategic Plan Management Plan

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Software Demonstration

i-Tree – Suite of software tools to help users identify and manage the structure, function, and value of urban tree populations.

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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

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Best Management Practices

Chattanooga, Tennessee Walla Walla, Washington Palo Alto, California Athens-Clarke County, Georgia Seattle, Washington

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Chattanooga, TN – Market Street

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Market Street – Downtown Chattanooga

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MLK Median in Chattanooga, TN

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Yoshino Cherry - Chattanooga

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Streetscape Project

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Columnar English Rose

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Technical Providers

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Need help???

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Instructors/Resources:

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Post-Test

Do not put your name on the test. This is not testing you personally, it is testing

the training.

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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

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In Closing….

Thank you for your time and participation in this class!