Urban & Community Forestry in Washington State

1. Washington Community Forestry CouncilExecutive Advisory Committee MeetingDecember 12, 2001 Urban & Community Forestry in Washington State Trends in Demand . . . Opportunities for Supply? Kathleen L. Wolf, Ph.D.Center for Urban HorticultureUniversity of Washingtonkwolf@u.washington.edu

2. “Demand”for Urban & Community Forestry grant program technical assistance What are the opportunities to boost “supply?”

3. Questions: • What is the U&CF $$ need? • Who is requesting $$? • How are $$ being spent?

4. Questions: • What is the U&CF $$ need?

5. Annual Community Forestry Grants 1998 - 2001 Applicants/Recipients 70 All Applicants 60 Awards 50 40 Number of Communities 30 20 10 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 Year

6. Urban & Community Forestry Grant Awards 1998 - 2001 120,988 2001 3,979,742 491,786 109,962 2000 673,045 281,072 $ Awarded Year Match $ Pledged 99,214 Grant $ Requested 1999 683,131 179,059 81,293 1998 561,181 196,498 0 200,000 400,000 600,000 800,000 1,000,000 1,200,000 1,400,000 Dollars

7. Questions: • Who is requesting $$?

10. Questions: • How are $$ being spent?

11. 1997 - 2001 Grant $$ Awards WA DNR/USFS Urban & Community Forestry Community Forest Program Start-up Restoration 10% Tree Inventory 20% 9% City Green/ Research Ecological 0.4% Analysis 2% Master or Management Tree Planting/ Plan Demonstration 16% Arboretum 30% Educational Workshops/ Programs 13%

12. DNR, Univ of WashingtonU&CF Assessment • Tree Inventories • Management Resources and Practices • Policy, Code and Ordinances • Community Outreach and Programs state-wide comprehensive picture baseline data for future planning

13. Why is Urban & Community Forestry Important? Trees are beautiful! “Amenities Drive Urban Growth” Nichols, Lloyd, Wong & Jain, University of Chicago 2001 American Political Science Association meeting

14. trees create livable cities

15. Why is Urban & Community Forestry Important? Scientific Studies of Environmental, Economic and Social Benefits

16. Urban & Community ForestEnvironmental Services • Air pollutants reduction • Carbon emission reduction, storage and sequestration • Urban heat-island cooling • Building heating & cooling costs reduction • Stormwater runoff reduction • Nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment interception • Wildlife habitat creation

17. fish friendly?

18. restored riparian corridor - trees are essential WSDOT restoration - fish have come back!

19. Urban & Community ForestEconomic Benefits Real estate & property values increased values and tax returns Public costs reduction environmental services, public safety, social services Corporate relocation/retention attracting businesses Tourism recreation, amenity, targeting markets Retail redevelopment creating consumer environment

20. city business districtswhere would you prefer to shop?

21. Urban & Community ForestPsycho-Social Benefits Emotional stress reduction immunization effect Traffic stress reduction negative carryover effects, road rage? Improved household dynamics conflict resolution, creative child’s play Improved wellness and healing faster surgery & lifestyle recovery Workplace productivity higher job satisfaction, less absenteeism

22. Healing Gardens in Hospitals

23. Sept. 11-Social Affects

24. Summary • DNR/local programs “demand” steadily increasing to address community forest needs • Science says city trees generate many benefits - environmental, economic, social • How to increase “supply?” Urban & Community Forestry: at the “Tipping Point?” Malcolm Gladwell, 2000