Green Infrastructure, Urban Forestry, and Community ...• Define Green Infrastructure and Urban...

USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry

Green Infrastructure, Urban Forestry, and Community Sustainability

By Phillip Rodbell, US Forest ServiceNortheastern Area,

State and Private Forestry

AICP Symposium, October 22, 2008


Presentation Outline• Define Green Infrastructure and Urban Forests

• Review Ecosystem Services and Community Sustainability

• Describe unique Forest Service authorities and program delivery

• Show some state activities and accomplishments

• Share some new tools for modeling and assessing priorities

• Focus on a few city example projects

• Suggest specific actions, best practices, and links



On the Need for New ThinkingHumanity has passed a milestone: more people live in cities than in rural areas. The current rate of urbanization is unprecedented in our history. In 1950, only 29% of people lived in cities; by 2050, 70% are projected to do so — most of them in poorer countries. Among many other issues, this rapid concentration makes cities a front line in the battles against climate change and air pollution. Confronting the challenges of rampant urbanization demands integrated, multidisciplinary approaches, and new thinking.

Source: Journal Nature: Editorial September 11, 2008


Green Infrastructure“Green infrastructure is an interconnected network of green space that conserves natural ecosystem values and functions and provides a wide array of benefits to people, wildlife and communities.”

Source: Edward McMahon, Editorial titled “Words Matter” published in Common Ground , January-March 2003


Toward a Sustainable America“Green infrastructure strategies actively seek to understand, leverage, and value the different ecological, social, and economic functions provided by natural systems in order to guide more efficient and sustainable land use and development patterns as well as protect ecosystems.”

Source: Towards a Sustainable America: Advancing Prosperity, Opportunity, and a Healthy Environment for the 21st Century, May 1999 (The President’s

Council on Sustainable Development)


Triple Bottom Line

EnvironmentEnvironment EconomyEconomy

SocietySocietyEnvironmentEnvironment

Ec nomyEconomy

S cie ySociety

Strong Sustainability

Weak Sustainability

Source: Maureen Hart—Sustainable Measures


New Framework

The concept of Green Infrastructure:• Elevates air, land, and water to an equal footing

with built infrastructure. • Transforms open space from "nice to have" to

"must have." • Helps frame the most efficient location for

development and growth - and related gray infrastructure.

Source: The Conservation Fund


Urban Forests• Trees and related natural resources in populated areas,

from the inner city to the developing urban fringe, and within small communities.

• Our urban and community trees and forests are vital parts of America's infrastructure and essential to the well-being of our individual human health and welfare.

Source: National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council


Ecosystem Services• Forests and tree cover provide a full suite of goods

and services (multiple benefits) that are vital to human health and livelihood.

• We call these natural assets ecosystem services worth millions of dollars to communities in terms of public health, safety and welfare.


Trees Save Energy• Strategically planted urban trees reduce energy use

during periods of peak energy demand by shading buildings in summer and blocking cold winter winds.

• Urban trees and vegetation help to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Evapotranspiration alone can result in peak summer temperature reductions of 2 to 9°F.

Source: Forest Service Centerfor Urban Forest Research


Trees Improve Air Quality• By absorbing gaseous pollutants through leaves. • Sequestering CO2 in trunk, branches and roots. • Intercepting and storing pollutants on leaf

surfaces. • Shading and cooling paved surfaces, reducing

the demand for air conditioning and the formation of ozone.

Source: Forest Service Northern Research Station


Trees Reduce Storm Water Runoff• Trees act as sponges that keep water on site

and recharge groundwater. – A typical urban forest of 10,000 trees will retain 10

million gallons of rainwater per year.

• Reduce the amount of runoff, pollutants, and sedimentation into creeks. – While manmade drainage systems such as sewers

and storm drains accelerate the flow of polluted water through community, trees slow it down and filter the water.

Source: Forest Service Center for Urban Forest Research


Trees Strengthen Local Economy• Increase property values by 10 to 20% and

attract more homebuyers and renters.• Increase municipal revenue through property tax

assessments. • Urban parks provide settings for festivals and

other special events that add millions of dollars to the local economy.

• In commercial districts shoppers spend more time and money and come back more often.

Source: University of Washington Human Dimensions of Urban Forestry and Urban Greening


Trees Improve Social Connections• Create safer, more supportive neighborhoods

working toward a common vision. • Are a focal point for community revitalization. • Relieve mental fatigue and impulse control,

restoring concentration. • Define a sense of place and improve the quality

of life.

Source: University of Illinois Landscape and Human Health Laboratory


Trees Complement Smart Growth• Strengthen the urban core by enhancing public

spaces and the pedestrian experience. • Give people access to nature in the city.• Add visual relief to compact development and

enhance street design. • Support a mix of land uses that increases real

estate values and supports the local economy. • Create an interconnected framework of green

infrastructure that restores ecological function, biodiversity, and wildlife habitat.

Source: Smart Growth Network


US Forest Service Programs

• Forest Legacy • Forest Stewardship• Forest Health Protection• Fire Prevention and Control• Urban and Community Forestry

Competitive grants available through State Forestry Agencies: www.stateforesters.org


Northeastern Area


State Activities• With federal support, State Forestry

Agencies assist communities to:– Establish and sustain tree care programs.– Improve management of trees & forests.– Engage and educate the public.– Grants for inventory, assessment, planning

and implementation (some states).


Maryland ExampleIn 2005, Forest Service and

Maryland DNR funded study of tree cover and potential planting

opportunities in the City of Baltimore.

As a result, Mayor (now Governor) O’Malley set an aggressive goal of

doubling current tree cover to 46% in 30 years on public and private

property.

Air and storm water management benefits were cited as primary

purposes.


Wisconsin ExampleA statewide inventory determined Wisconsin’s urban forests have an estimated 26.9 million trees worth $10.9 billion and provide millions of dollars in ecological services!

Annual Value of Services Provided by Wisconsin's Urban Forests

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

State & Fed Investment

Total Carbon Stored

Carbon Sequestered

Carbon Avoided

Pollution Absorbed

Heating Savings

Cooling Savings

Millions $

• Stores more than 2 million tons of carbon• Sequesters 119,000 tons of carbon, annually• Reduces heating and cooling expenses


New Tools for Tree CoverNew Tools for Tree Cover


i-Tree Tools

i-Tree Cooperative was formed to deliver all Forest Service applications in a single software suite


Assessing Urban Ecosystems• UFORE assesses:

– Structure– Function

• Energy• Air pollution• Carbon

– Value– Management

• Health• Pest impacts


Forest Opportunity Spectrum

A tool for community planning

USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private ForestryUSDA Forest Service Northeastern Area, State and Private Forestry

Urban Tree CoverQuickbird Satellite

Imagery

100% 0%

100% 0%

National LandCover Dataset

WaterTree CanopyLow Lying VegetationImpervious / Bare Soil

WaterTree CanopyLow Lying VegetationImpervious / Bare Soil

UTCLand Cover

27% 11%UTC Estimates

Derived from 2007 satellite Derived from 2007 satellite imagery, 60cm resolutionimagery, 60cm resolution

Derived from 2001 satellite Derived from 2001 satellite imagery, 30m resolutionimagery, 30m resolution


Land Cover Results


UTC Goal Setting

Res t a 3% 2

Industrial 2% 3% 5%

I i o 2% 25

LandUse Existing UTC Possible UTCImprovement (% of Possible)

UTC Current UTC Goal (%)

Residential 19% 33% 10%Commercial 4% 16% 10%Industrial 2% 3% 5%Airport 0% 3% 0%Institutional 0% 2% 10%

31.9%26.6%


Existing Tree Cover


TreeVitalize Philadelphia• Forest Service funded study by

NGO American Forests in 2003.

• Five-county region lost 8% of heavy tree cover over 15 years.

• Governor responded with new program called TreeVitalize.


Philadelphia Green and Governor’s TreeVitalize Program


GreenPlan Philadelphia

• By 2028:– 30% tree cover in every neighborhood (1 million new trees)– 33% more parkland (nearly 4,000 new acres)– 37% of our schoolyards will be greened (100 schoolyards)– 50% of all streets will be green streets (over 1,300 miles)– 100% of residents within ½ mile of a trail (315 miles of new trail)

• Will achieve this by recognizing:– Opens space should be treated as a necessary and fundamental utility– Interdepartmental collaboration is key and must continue– Indicators can help track progress– A fund for GreenPlan Philadelphia can leverage private investment– Open space will result in a positive return of investment


Sustainability Framework

• Green infrastructure projects contribute to the triple bottom line:– Environmental Stewardship– Economic Prosperity– Quality of Life and Social Equity

• Our job is to communicate the contribution and make it happen.

• Let’s do it together!


New Publication

Planning the Urban Forest:Ecology, Economy, and Community Development

http://www.planning.org/research/forestry


Planning and Design Principles• Get trees and green infrastructure to front of planning /

visioning process.• Investing in trees makes economic sense.• Urban forestry must be sustainable financially; find

resources to fit plan or vice versa.• Combine tree/landscape codes with planning codes.• PUD regulations should include urban forest evaluation

checklist or guidelines.• Include green infrastructure element, but also link

throughout with other elements in comprehensive plans.• Natural environment = part of making neighborhoods

livable.


Case Studies• Baltimore County• Chapel Hill, N.C.• Emeryville, Cal.• Flagstaff/Coconino

County, Ariz.• Flower Mound, Texas• Ithaca, N.Y.• Kansas City Metro Area

• McDowell Creek Watershed, N.C.

• Minneapolis• Olympia, Wash.• Palm Beach County, Fla.• Salem, Oregon• Urbana, Ill.


Urbana—recycling yard waste

Many cities, one goal

Flagstaff—volunteers preparing prescribed fire site

Minneapolis—protecting urban tree canopy

Emeryville—green dense development

Palm Beach County—Restoring natural vegetation


Additional Resources

Forest Service Open Space Conservation Strategyhttp://www.fs.fed.us/openspace

Green Infrastructure: Linking Landscapes and Communities By Mark Benedict and Edward McMahonhttp://www.greeninfrastructure.net/resources



By Phillip Rodbell, US Forest ServiceNortheastern Area,

State and Private Forestry

[email protected]

Green Infrastructure, Urban Forestry, and Community ...• Define Green Infrastructure and Urban...

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