In April 2011, the U.S. Forest Service and non-profit New York Restoration Project (NYRP) convened the Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action task force outside of Washington, DC. The three-day workshop addressed the future of our nation’s urban...
affordable housing
Free mobile app to identify trees
by Kathleen Ford | May 4, 2011 | Resources
Leafsnap is the first in a series of electronic field guides being developed by researchers from Colombia University, the University of Maryland, and the Smithsonian Institution. This free mobile app uses visual recognition software to help identify tree species from...
Voters value forests!
by Kathleen Ford | May 4, 2011 | Advocacy, Research, Updates
A nationwide survey commissioned by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) was recently completed to assess key public perceptions and values related to forests. The new results reveal a striking consensus among Americans: Voters strongly value the...
Oaks in the Urban Landscape
by California ReLeaf | May 2, 2011 | Research, Resources
Oaks are highly valued in urban areas for their aesthetic, environmental, economic and cultural benefits. However, significant impacts to the health and structural stability of oaks have resulted from urban encroachment. Changes in environment, incompatible cultural...
New web portal for climate and land use planning information
by Kathleen Ford | May 2, 2011 | Research, Updates
The State of California has embarked on an effort to encourage and promote sustainable land use planning through passage of legislation such as Senate Bill 375, and the funding of several grant programs. Under Senate Bill 375, Metropolitan Planning Organizations...
The Trees That Inspired America’s Literary Greats
by Kathleen Ford | Apr 27, 2011 | Resources
Enjoy listening to this story on NPR's "On Point" program discussing the book Seeds: One Man's Serendipitous Journey to Find the Trees that Inspired Famous American Writers, by Richard Horton. From the old maple in Faulkner's yard to Melville's chestnut and Muir's...
U.S. Forest Service Funds Tree Inventory for Urban Planners
by California ReLeaf | Apr 13, 2011 | Research, Updates
New research funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will help city planners make better decisions about their urban trees for a range of benefits, including energy savings and improved access to nature. Researchers, led by U.S. Forest Service...
Our City Forest
by California ReLeaf | Apr 1, 2011 | Grants, Updates
Our City Forest is one of 17 organizations statewide selected to receive funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which is being administered by California ReLeaf. Our City Forest’s mission is to cultivate a green and healthy San José metropolis by...
Your input needed to develop an Urban Forestry Toolkit for Storm Response
by Kathleen Ford | Mar 31, 2011 | Research, Updates
The Friends of Hawaii’s Urban Forest was awarded a 2009 Forest Service National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) Best Practices Grant to develop an Urban Forestry Emergency Operations Plan Toolkit for Storm Response. Your input is need to...
Green infrastructure and climate change adaptation reports
by Kathleen Ford | Mar 30, 2011 | Research, Resources
The Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) recently released two new reports on improving community resilience and economic prosperity by incorporating climate change adaptation best practices into city planning strategies. The reports, The Value of Green Infrastructure...