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The
urban forest includes
all of the natural
resources in an
urban area - plants,
soil, water, animals
- and is often
referred to as the "green
infrastructure" of
a community. Any
residential, commercial
or institutional
community that
has public services
- streets, curbs,
utilities - is
considered an urban
area, in contrast
to a rural area.
Urban
forestry is the
management of
urban forests
in a manner that
maximizes the
benefits of the
natural resources
to people without
compromising the
health and condition
of those resources.
There
may be many personal
benefits associated
with urban forests
but the mostuniversal
include property
values, quality
of life, recreation,
soil/water/air
quality, energy
conservation,
and societal benefits.
Community
forestry refers
more specifically
to the societal
benefits of urban
forests; community
pride, the social
aspects of community
planting and care
projects, reduction
of violent crimes
and a sense of
safety.
Urban
and Community
forestry includes
two main avenues
of management:
Urban Forest Health
(e.g., best planting
practices, disease
and insect pest
management, tree
preservation)
and the Societal
Benefits (e.g.,
natural resources
education, urban
forest design,
recreational opportunities).
USDA Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Resources
Sustainability
in Urban Ecosystems: Basic overview
of topics in Urban
and Community
Forestry
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