Washington, DC (January 1, 2008)- The USDA Forest Service has provided a set of goals and objectives for Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) within the context of the National Redesign Themes for State and Private Forestry. These goals are intended to provide focus for the program and are not exclusive of local and state needs and opportunities. This document is draft only and was developed for conceptual review by a working group of state and federal urban forestry coordinators. All concepts described are still under active development by the Redesign Board.
Successful accomplishment of activities within these goals and objectives will result in a broader range of benefits and services to the American public such as conservation education, environmental justice and outreach, reduced health risk, increased opportunities for urban outdoor recreation, increased local and citizen stewardship, and improved quality of life.
UCF Goal 1: Reduce the impacts of land use change, fragmentation and urbanization on forest landscapes
* Objective 1a: Provide expertise and facilitate the implementation of green infrastructure and best management practices to identify and protect working urban forests.
* Objective 1b: Provide technical assistance in the development of land-use planning tools, ordinances, programs and policies.
* Objective 1c: Restore and manage open spaces in urban and urbanizing areas to improve the quality of life for all residents.
* National Themes: Conserve Working Forests, Protect Forests from Harm
UCF Goal 2: Moderate the impacts of catastrophic events
* Objective 2a: Increase the number of emergency response plans that incorporate urban and community forestry elements.
* Objective 2b: Increase implementation of urban forest risk management practices.
* Objective 2c: Develop programs for early detection, monitoring and rapid response for invasive insects and diseases in the urban and community forest.
* Objective 2d: Enhance state and local pre- and post-event response, damage assessment, and recovery.
* National Themes: Conserve Working Forests, Protect Forests from Harm
UCF Goal 3: Protect and improve air and water quality
* Objective 3a: Conserve and enhance urban forest canopy to help attain mandated federal, state, and local regulatory requirements.
– Sub-objective: Integrate urban forestry into state implementation plans (SIP)
– Sub-objective: Integrate urban forestry into meeting storm water quantity and quality goals
* Objective 3b: Establish canopy goals to help improve air and water quality.
* Objective 3c: Replace impervious surfaces with tree canopy (increase infiltration of storm water).
* National Themes: Conserve Working Forests, Enhance Benefits Associated with Trees and Forests
UCF Goal 4: Mitigate climate change
* Objective 4a: Use urban forestry tools to assess and demonstrate the value of trees in providing ecosystem services.
* Objective 4b: Establish state and local urban canopy goals to reduce urban heat islands, increase carbon sequestration, and reduce greenhouse gas production.
* Objective 4c: Facilitate participation in carbon markets.
* Objective 4d: Increase urban wood utilization for biomass energy production and/or value-added products.
* National Themes: Conserve Working Forests, Enhance Benefits Associated with Trees and Forests
UCF Goal 5: Conserve energy
* Objective 5a: Contribute to national energy security efforts by implementing programs that plant trees strategically to reduce energy consumption.
* Objective 5b: Build programs that utilize trees as a renewable energy source in urban areas.
* Objective 5c: Increase policies and plans that preserve energy conserving existing tree canopy during the development and construction process.
* National Themes: Conserve Working Forests, Enhance Benefits Associated with Trees and Forests
Related Resources:
USDA Forest Service
Forest Service Strategic Plan 2007-2012