Cities are responsible for around 75% of global CO2 emissions. But they are also at the forefront of fighting climate change. One of the most exciting solutions is both cost-effective and nature based. Urban trees and forests can help make cities resilient. This option can future-proof cities from growing populations, weather extremes, and natural disasters.
Sustainable urban forestry also improves human health and well-being. Trees create more vibrant neighborhoods, improve energy efficiency, and increase property values. They also offer opportunities for urban food production. From a conservation standpoint, an urban forest supports a healthy environment. Trees support wildlife, reduce risks of erosion and floods, and lower ambient temperatures.
Quality, long-term urban forest management requires careful planning and adequate resources. This helps trees stay healthy and grow to maturity as they provide their benefits.
Attendees of the 2023 World Forum on Urban Forestry (WFUF) underscored the importance of urban forests. They listed these five key trends in urban forestry.
- Integration of Nature-Based Solutions
There is a growing trend of integrating nature-based solutions into city planning. These include urban forests and specific green spaces. This trend emphasizes how important natural elements are for urban resilience and stability.
- Collaborative and Community-Centric Approaches
Involving citizens in planning and care for urban forests creates ownership and collaboration. It also helps encourage project stewardship and inspires homeowners within communities. As metropolitan areas add green spaces, homeowners and neighborhoods also improve their landscapes. “Everyone loves trees. Most people have positive memories about trees in their lives,” said Wayne Lovelace, Forrest Keeling Nursery CEO. “We’re excited to see the growth in urban forestry projects, especially for the next generations.”
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
Urban trees help reduce heat islands, improve air quality, and enhance environmental resilience. Urban forests are critical components of climate change mitigation. They also help encourage positive trends at a national and global level.
- Innovative Green Infrastructure Solutions
This trend highlights the adoption of innovative green infrastructure solutions. These green solutions are incorporated into built urban environments. They include green roofs, vertical gardens, and other nature-based technologies. Along with urban forests, green infrastructure can maximize nature-based benefits.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making
Data and technology help assess the impact of urban forestry initiatives. It can help city planners decide where green space expansion will be most impactful. Technology can track tree health and optimize urban green space planning and management.
Urban forestry isn’t only about planting trees.
We also need to steward the urban forests we have. There are nearly two million acres of existing forests within urban landscapes. Also, they are often composed of diverse tree and shrub species. Cities need to care for their natural urban forests and not focus only on new planting projects.
Aging urban forests face challenges from development, climate change, invasive species, and disease. Some preservation work involves timber thinning, prescribed burns, and invasive species removal.
The Inflation Reduction Act and Urban Forests
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides a historic investment of $1.5 billion. These monies will support about 400 grants. The grants involve projects for the planning, development, and protection of urban forests. Project goals aimed at reducing heat islands and mitigating climate change. They also focused on increasing access to trees and nature within cities. The IRA grants represent the largest single Department of Agriculture investment to date in urban and community forests.
The investment in the Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forest Program is part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative. The goal of the Initiative is to reach underserved urban areas. These inner cities are also overburdened by pollution and underinvestment.
Forrest Keeling can help you with your urban forestry projects
We find that native species are excellent choices for urban forestry projects. Forrest Keeling grows a vast selection of native plants. And we produce them using our patented RPM-production technology. RPM-production offers superior survivability with 2X faster growth.
Native species are important to our mission to ‘restore Earth’s ecosystem one tree at a time’. We have the inventory and expertise to help you with restoration projects of any scope. In the backyard or the back forty!
Contact a team member during the planning phase of your urban forestry project. We can give recommendations and information on native plant availability.
Forrest Keeling… it’s where the best trees begin!