Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Related Issue Briefs: Urban Agriculture

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

• Urban forestry decreases the amount of storm water run off and erosion in big cities along with their air quality and ground water quality. Just planting an Urban forest of 100 trees on average can retain 371,000 gallons of rainwater per year , reduce 32 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) per year, and remove 420lbs of pollutants per year.^[1] The newly planted trees also help social, cultural, and economic aspects of our world as well. They buffer noise, increase sense of place and quality of life, relieves mental fatigue, encourages exercise, decreases the crime rate, increases property value by 10-20%, and reduces healthcare cost.  

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

Model Programs:

• Forest Sustainability Program, Baltimore, MD- Baltimore County is using proactive steps by utilizing urban agriculture and increasing their urban tree canopy cover by 26% in their Forest Sustainability Program. Baltimore County is working together with the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) to increase the canopy cover in order to improve their environmental efforts, forest restoration, and quality of water in the Chesapeake Bay. 

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

• Urban Forestry-Maryland

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• Urban Forests: Tree population in an urban setting  

• Urban Tree Canopy (UTC): the amount of land in an urban area that is shaded by a tree canopy 

   

Bibliography    

• O’Neil-Dunne, J. 2009. “A Report on The City Of Baltimore’s Existing and Possible Urban tree Canopy.” The University of Vermont. <http://www.fs.fed.us/nrs/utc/reports/UTC_Report_BACI_2007.pdf>
•  Schwab, J. C. 2009. “Planning the Urban Forest: Ecology, Economy, and Community Development.” American Planning Association. <http://na.fs.fed.us/urban/planning_uf_apa.pdf>
•  2014. “Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry- Trees For People, Urban Forestry 101.” U.S. Department of Agriculture. <http://www.fs.fed.us/ucf/treesforpeople.shtml>