The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) are seeking nominations from the nation’s urban forestry and natural resource leaders to become part of the task force, Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action. The 24-member task force will draft a set of recommendations outlining a federal roadmap to meet the needs of cities committed to expanding, enhancing and stewarding their natural resources and urban forests. As they craft and advance the recommendations, task force members will apply their knowledge and experience to become high-profile champions of the nation’s urban forestry movement.
Currently, USDA Forest Service is evaluating how it can better support and respond to cities that are involved in innovative and robust initiatives to manage their urban forests and natural resources. Environmental management strategies have evolved over the past 40 years, from top-down government regulation to market-based solutions, and now to consensus-building partnerships and coalitions. While all of these strategies are in use today, there remains a critical need to strengthen and expand urban natural resource management through federal and local partnerships. The Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests: A National Call to Action seeks to fill this gap.
Nominations are being accepted until January 10, 2011. For more information or to file a nomination, visit NYRP’s website.